On both courses you will find just about every type of trail running terrain. Both courses have single track, fire road, creek crossings, as well as uphill and downhill running.
10K Course
From the start you will head straight out towards the Olmstead Loop Trail. You will turn right approximately a quarter of a miler after the start. After the turn you will follow the trail towards the trail head parking lot located near the Cool fire station. Along the way you will have three creek crossings.
As you approach the parking lot you will turn right before entering the lot. Cross the creek, or use the small bridge and head up a short rise. Continue straight running through open meadows. At approximately 2.5 miles in you will cross a wood plank bridge crossing a creek.
At mile three will will be back at the Start/Finish area. Fuel up and keep going towards the second three mile loop.
After leaving the aid station you will continue to cross open meadows with oak tree groves all around. At mile 3.7 you will come into a large meadow. The trail will climb for a short distance at this point. The climb finishes inside a large oak tree grove.
As you come out of the trees the trail will roll a little as you approach a right turn. As you make the turn you will start a rolling half mile downhill.
Soon after the down hill you will turn left and head towards Knickerbocker Lake. You will follow along Knickerbocker Lake a short distance before leaving it behind.
After leaving the lake the trail flattens out. At a half mile to go the trail slowly climbs all the way to the finish back at Northside School.
One Aid Station for the 10K. It is located at mile 3 (Start/Finish.)
Half Marathon Course
From the start you will head straight out towards the Olmstead Loop Trail. You will turn right approximately a quarter of a miler after the start. After the turn you will follow the trail towards the trail head parking lot located near the Cool fire station. Along the way you will have three creek crossings. You will enter and cross the parking lot before picking up the trail again.
You will then follow the trail along the fence line as the trail rolls through open meadows. Soon you will descend down to the Salt Creek crossing. After crossing Salt Creek the trail has a short climb before becoming rolling downhill fire road.
At aid station #1 (Mile 3) you will turn right and head straight downhill on the fire road towards the American River. This fire road will take you to the location of the never constructed Auburn Dam.
From the base of the Dam (mile 4) you will begin “the Dam(n) climb” up the old Auburn-Cool Trail where the Auburn Dam was supposed to be built. The climb up the Dam you will also have you saying it too yourself.
The climb has long switchbacks that will let you catch your breath as you climb ever upwards. Near the top of the climb you will connect with the paved road. There will be an aid station (mile 5.5) to greet you at this point.
You will continue to climb as you run on the pavement. You will then make a left onto trail from the road a short distance from the aid station. Follow this trail until you cross the paved road and connect back to the Olmstead Loop Trail.
Follow the Olmstead Loop Trail a short distance from the road. You will make a sharp right which will bring you to the Secret Trail
The Secret Trail section is awesome tight rolling and twisty single track. This section is fun to run and will pull you along the trail. To your right you will be able to see across the canyon to Auburn if you can tear your eyes away from the trail.
You will follow the Secret Trail to an intersection with the Olmstead Loop Trail. Aid station #3 (mile 9.5) will be here to greet you. Follow the ribbons along the Olmstead Loop Trail a short distance.
Turn right onto the Lake Trail single track at the end of the fence line. Follow this trail towards Knickerbocker Lake.
After Knickerbocker Lake continue to follow the ribbons. You will make a few sharp turns and then run a short distance into a grove of blackberry bushes. From here it is approximately a quarter mile to go. Finish strong!!
Aid stations:
Aid #1 Mile 4.2
Aid #2 Mile 7
Aid #3 Mile 11.2
10K Course
From the start you will head straight out towards the Olmstead Loop Trail. You will turn right approximately a quarter of a miler after the start. After the turn you will follow the trail towards the trail head parking lot located near the Cool fire station. Along the way you will have three creek crossings.
As you approach the parking lot you will turn right before entering the lot. Cross the creek, or use the small bridge and head up a short rise. Continue straight running through open meadows. At approximately 2.5 miles in you will cross a wood plank bridge crossing a creek.
At mile three will will be back at the Start/Finish area. Fuel up and keep going towards the second three mile loop.
After leaving the aid station you will continue to cross open meadows with oak tree groves all around. At mile 3.7 you will come into a large meadow. The trail will climb for a short distance at this point. The climb finishes inside a large oak tree grove.
As you come out of the trees the trail will roll a little as you approach a right turn. As you make the turn you will start a rolling half mile downhill.
Soon after the down hill you will turn left and head towards Knickerbocker Lake. You will follow along Knickerbocker Lake a short distance before leaving it behind.
After leaving the lake the trail flattens out. At a half mile to go the trail slowly climbs all the way to the finish back at Northside School.
One Aid Station for the 10K. It is located at mile 3 (Start/Finish.)
Half Marathon Course
From the start you will head straight out towards the Olmstead Loop Trail. You will turn right approximately a quarter of a miler after the start. After the turn you will follow the trail towards the trail head parking lot located near the Cool fire station. Along the way you will have three creek crossings. You will enter and cross the parking lot before picking up the trail again.
You will then follow the trail along the fence line as the trail rolls through open meadows. Soon you will descend down to the Salt Creek crossing. After crossing Salt Creek the trail has a short climb before becoming rolling downhill fire road.
At aid station #1 (Mile 3) you will turn right and head straight downhill on the fire road towards the American River. This fire road will take you to the location of the never constructed Auburn Dam.
From the base of the Dam (mile 4) you will begin “the Dam(n) climb” up the old Auburn-Cool Trail where the Auburn Dam was supposed to be built. The climb up the Dam you will also have you saying it too yourself.
The climb has long switchbacks that will let you catch your breath as you climb ever upwards. Near the top of the climb you will connect with the paved road. There will be an aid station (mile 5.5) to greet you at this point.
You will continue to climb as you run on the pavement. You will then make a left onto trail from the road a short distance from the aid station. Follow this trail until you cross the paved road and connect back to the Olmstead Loop Trail.
Follow the Olmstead Loop Trail a short distance from the road. You will make a sharp right which will bring you to the Secret Trail
The Secret Trail section is awesome tight rolling and twisty single track. This section is fun to run and will pull you along the trail. To your right you will be able to see across the canyon to Auburn if you can tear your eyes away from the trail.
You will follow the Secret Trail to an intersection with the Olmstead Loop Trail. Aid station #3 (mile 9.5) will be here to greet you. Follow the ribbons along the Olmstead Loop Trail a short distance.
Turn right onto the Lake Trail single track at the end of the fence line. Follow this trail towards Knickerbocker Lake.
After Knickerbocker Lake continue to follow the ribbons. You will make a few sharp turns and then run a short distance into a grove of blackberry bushes. From here it is approximately a quarter mile to go. Finish strong!!
Aid stations:
Aid #1 Mile 4.2
Aid #2 Mile 7
Aid #3 Mile 11.2