Mogollon Monster 105K Course Map & Aid StationS
Approximate Elevation Gain is 11,350 feet with similar descent.
2020 Important Update: There are NO CREWS and NO PACERS ALLOWED for this year's edition. Consider it an old school ultra- the way The Monster was meant to be.
Start Time: 6 AM
2020 Important Update: There are NO CREWS and NO PACERS ALLOWED for this year's edition. Consider it an old school ultra- the way The Monster was meant to be.
Start Time: 6 AM
CalTopo Review
Desktop: Top of the screen will have an "Export" drop down menu. Select from GPX, KML, etc.
Phone: Top left of screen will be a wrench icon. Click wrench> Export GPX> a screen with all markers included on map will pop up; scroll to bottom and in small print on the bottom right it'll say, "Export" click. If a bug warning pops up, click close. The export will load, and if you have a tracking app on your phone already (Gaia for example), it should ask to export directly to your app. Once the export is complete, you can use this during your race in airplane mode and always know where you are.
Desktop: Top of the screen will have an "Export" drop down menu. Select from GPX, KML, etc.
Phone: Top left of screen will be a wrench icon. Click wrench> Export GPX> a screen with all markers included on map will pop up; scroll to bottom and in small print on the bottom right it'll say, "Export" click. If a bug warning pops up, click close. The export will load, and if you have a tracking app on your phone already (Gaia for example), it should ask to export directly to your app. Once the export is complete, you can use this during your race in airplane mode and always know where you are.
#1. Start to Pine Canyon Aid Station ~ (Mile 10.9) - 10.9 Miles, ~2,600 feet of Gain
This is a return to the original Mogollon Monster 106 mile course that was run from 2012 thru 2015. Runners will head out of the Pine Trailhead and make their way up and down the gorgeous Pine Canyon Trail for around 8.5-9 miles where you’ll then climb switchbacks to the top of the Mogollon Rim, popping out just east of the AZ-87 where you’ll be met by our volunteers and your first aid station. This section has had trail work done to it over the last few years and is definitely more runnable now, albeit longer.
#2. Pine Canyon Aid to Geronimo Aid Station ~ (Mile 19.9) – 9.0 Mile Segment
Leaving the aid station, you continue north paralleling the highway as you follow the fence line and General Springs Trail until you reach an old forest service road. The section from the aid to the old road is about 8/10 of a mile and is more of a cross country route rather than following a nice single track (or well defined trail at all, really). Keep an eye out for the pin flags and orange and black ribbons and you’ll be fine.
Follow this road through the pines until you come to “T” in the road where you’ll head right onto Milk Ranch Point Road. Continue on this road for a little less than 3.5 miles (bear right at the “Y” in the road as well) when you’ll see a very large open meadow on your right that typically has campers. Near the beginning of the meadow, you will take a LEFT onto an old service road that is blocked by a metal gate. About 50 yards beyond the gate you’ll see the left turn to hop on the Turkey Springs Trail. You’ll climb a little bit for the first half mile until you start to see views off the Rim that go on forever. Take a few minutes to soak it in- you’ll be traversing east just about as far as you can see from here.
This is nearly entirely all downhill from Dickerson Flat to Geronimo and stunning in its view several times. The first drop off the Rim is very rocky and difficult to run but opens up to switchbacks all the way down to where it intersects with the double track Geronimo Trail. This trail winds all the way down to where it meets the Highline Trail and then the lush forest where the Geronimo Aid Station sits. This area has several creek crossings, high ponderosa growth and some very runnable terrain before crossing West Webber creek just before the aid station.
***At the bottom of Turkey Springs Trail you’ll reach an intersection where you can continue straight down the double track towards Geronimo Aid Station or take a hard right at the sign and go up West Webber trail. We put a bunch of signage that you’ll see directing you down the mountain to Geronimo. If all goes well, you will revisit this section coming up the trail from Geronimo and you’ll take West Webber back up the rim to mile 93. For now, just keep going down the trail and you’ll be fine. But take note as you pass the sign, you’ll see this again and this is where you’ll start the final climb of the race.
#3 Geronimo to Washington Park AS (Mile 29.8) - 9.9 Mile Segment
Leaving Geronimo you are welcomed with a 2 mile climb up switchbacks from 5,300 feet to a bit over 6,000. This opens you up to what is the Highline Trail #31 in all its glory. Rugged, rough and beautiful this trail traverses pine needle covered trail’s, sandstone red rock and sandy wash. It has a great variety and while it has no major climbs it does provide a great deal of short ones that take their toll at the end of the day. It is also alternating from completely exposed terrain to tree cover and at about 6,000 feet it receives the most heat mid afternoon. Leave Geronimo fully hydrated and prepared for a 9.8 mile section that likely will take you 2-3 hours. There are several small creeks to cross, sections of high grass and some sections that with markers still require you to look around and make sure you are on the right path. Along this section it is also the Arizona Trail and some trees will have that logo on the trunk. The Highline Trail #31 also has many markers of a black diamond attached to a tree or the #31 which signifies the trail. These can also help in assisting you east along the trail.
***When you get about 1 mile from the Washington Park Aid Station you will come down a series of short switchbacks to a dirt road. You can go left up the road, right down the road, or straight ACROSS the road. Look across the road and you’ll see the trail winding back up the ridge. Every year at Zane Grey and Mogollon Monster, someone completely ignores all the markers and goes the wrong way, adding miles to their day and misery to their mind. This section is ALL single track minus the 30 feet you have to cross this dirt road. Cross the road and go back up the trail and you’re fine. Again, follow the orange ribbon with black polka dots and watch for the blue & white checkboard wrong way tape. You just have to pay attention.
#4 Washington Park to Bear Canyon AS (Mile 35.9) – 6.1 Mile Segment ~1,650 feet of Gain
Leaving Washington Park you are starting out from mile 20 and making your second climb of the Rim up the Arizona Trail. This 2.0 mile section heads gradually up for 1.6 miles before heading straight up what at one point is a 45% grade. It’s so rocky you will be cursing me. I love this trail. Just embrace it and hammer it out, its short. You’ll maybe see some tourists looking for the Tunnel Trail where the government once thought they would blast a huge hole in the Mogollon Rim to get a train to go to Flagstaff. Epic fail. Now it’s just a 30’ tunnel and an obscure trail people that are grossly out of shape try to find. Instead they’ll find you, think you’re doing the same 1 mile hike and smile at you. If they only knew…
You’ll top out on the Rim Road #300. Here you will see another metal Arizona Trail large sign under the power lines as well as a historical marker for the Battle of Big Dry Wash from a battle from years ago between the Army and the Apache tribe.
From here you will go STRAIGHT across the Rim Road and down the small hill via the road to General Springs Cabin where the trailhead for Fred Haught Trail is. This is your first Crew Access point(NO CREWS IN 2020) and you’ll get to see your beautiful people again as you return from your out and back to Bear Canyon a couple hours later. Just behind the actual cabin you’ll follow the fence line for a couple hundred yards on the Fred Haught single track. The Arizona Trail is the Fred Haught Trail at this point so you’ll keep heading north winding up and around the area, crossing the stream on multiple occasions along the way. Around mile 32, the Arizona Trail clearly splits off and heads left up the mountain while the Fred Haught Trail continues to meander through the forest straight/right. Just keep following Fred Haught up a small hill where you’ll come to a forest road and be greeted by our aid station volunteers at the Bear Canyon Aid.
#4 Bear Canyon Aid to Washington Park II (Mile 42) – 6.1 Mile Segment
This is just south of the location of the gnarly bridge washout on the road that we petitioned so dang hard to be able to have you all cross on race day since you’ll be running on much worse terrain than this little 200 foot section- but to no avail. Anyway, this is your turnaround point, so you’ll head right back up the hill on the Fred Haught Trail and follow this beauty of a trail all the way back to Washington Park.
NOTE: NO CREWS OR PACERS IN 2020. With crew access at General Springs Cabin this year, you are welcome to pick up your pacer here and have them make that fantastic descent off the powerline to Washington Park. Over 40 miles in and two of the Rim climbs out of the way!
#5 Washington Park II to Geronimo II AS (Mile 51.9) - 9.9 Mile Segment
This section is 9.8 miles long but is very challenging and with 42+ miles on your legs and body will likely take much longer than when you did it going west to east twenty miles ago. The trail will look much different with different views and ups being downs and downs being ups. Take plenty of water and prepare yourself for what is a very exposed, rugged and tough section of the course. Again, you can follow Arizona Trail markers, Highline Trail #31 black diamond markers and the orange / black polka dot (good) and blue/white checkerboard (bad) we put out there.
#6 Geronimo II to Donohue AZ (Mile 56.7) – 4.8 Mile Segment
Leaving Geronimo Aid Station you cross the creek and head up the Highline Trail you descended the day prior when you came down Turkey Springs. Be sure to turn right off the Highline to the Geronimo Trail. You’ll follow the ribbons back up the trail, mostly a double track, until you reach the intersection for Turkey Springs and West Webber Trail. This is where you will go LEFT on West Webber. There is a wooden sign, our markers and plenty of signage we place there to make it obvious.
West Webber, if you are in a mindset to enjoy it, is a beautiful trail in the forest. More lush than most areas in the lower half of the Rim it’s a beautiful canopy trail along the forest floor before hitting a wall.
Then it goes straight up.
This is “D**k Knocker.”
1,000 feet in climbing in 1.0 miles at mile 56 (ish) to 57. At this point in any race being PC has long lost its value. The inaugural year 4th place finisher Marius Toma was running into the finish line with me saying, “You know...that last climb...that was...that was really unnecessary…”
Maybe, but it got you to the top and just take the left at the road and you’ll run into Donahue Aid Station at the start of the Donahue Trail. You'll likely be quite tired at this point but the awesome ladies running the aid station will get you refueled and on your way.
#7 Donahue to Finish in Town of Pine (Mile 64) – 7.1 Mile Segment
Donahue Trail leaves the forest road and heads back into the forest. It’s a nice single track for a while before it dumps back onto a forest road, this one filled with old volcanic rock. It’s no bueno. But it’s a short stretch before going back into the forest and some awesome downhill trail with the view on both sides peeking through the trees. You’ll hit a ridge, cross some openings and then hit the switchbacks. Down you go all the way through the boulder field that gets Donahue that slight twitch in people’s faces when they talk about it. You’ll intercept the Highline Trail and you’ll be going right at the “T.” This is an awesome downhill to Pine Trailhead where we started, such a long, long time ago.
This trailhead is at the location of the start of the race and at this point only 2 miles remain to the finish line. Pacers are welcome here to the finish. There’s no point in spending much time here. It’s a parking lot. It’s 2 miles from the finish.
Leaving Pine Trailhead AS you’ll run down the paved road for the trailhead to just before the 87 highway. To cross the road you’ll drop down 15 feet to the right to a culvert access point and go UNDER the road in the tunnel. This is the safest way to get across what can be a busy road. The tunnel is free of debris and about 30ft long. On the opposite side you will be directed 100 meters to the right to Bradshaw Road. Go left down the hill to Old County Road and go right. This is all paved now and the road goes through a residential street until it meets up again with the 87. Head left along the wide shoulder into the town of Pine. You have about ½ a mile left and it’s all through the town itself. Follow the wide shoulder inside the white line past the Sidewinder Saloon, Ponderosa Market, old buildings and the finish line will be at the Community Center by the ice cream shop on Randall.
You’ll see the finish line.
I recommend a full sprint to the finish.
This is a return to the original Mogollon Monster 106 mile course that was run from 2012 thru 2015. Runners will head out of the Pine Trailhead and make their way up and down the gorgeous Pine Canyon Trail for around 8.5-9 miles where you’ll then climb switchbacks to the top of the Mogollon Rim, popping out just east of the AZ-87 where you’ll be met by our volunteers and your first aid station. This section has had trail work done to it over the last few years and is definitely more runnable now, albeit longer.
#2. Pine Canyon Aid to Geronimo Aid Station ~ (Mile 19.9) – 9.0 Mile Segment
Leaving the aid station, you continue north paralleling the highway as you follow the fence line and General Springs Trail until you reach an old forest service road. The section from the aid to the old road is about 8/10 of a mile and is more of a cross country route rather than following a nice single track (or well defined trail at all, really). Keep an eye out for the pin flags and orange and black ribbons and you’ll be fine.
Follow this road through the pines until you come to “T” in the road where you’ll head right onto Milk Ranch Point Road. Continue on this road for a little less than 3.5 miles (bear right at the “Y” in the road as well) when you’ll see a very large open meadow on your right that typically has campers. Near the beginning of the meadow, you will take a LEFT onto an old service road that is blocked by a metal gate. About 50 yards beyond the gate you’ll see the left turn to hop on the Turkey Springs Trail. You’ll climb a little bit for the first half mile until you start to see views off the Rim that go on forever. Take a few minutes to soak it in- you’ll be traversing east just about as far as you can see from here.
This is nearly entirely all downhill from Dickerson Flat to Geronimo and stunning in its view several times. The first drop off the Rim is very rocky and difficult to run but opens up to switchbacks all the way down to where it intersects with the double track Geronimo Trail. This trail winds all the way down to where it meets the Highline Trail and then the lush forest where the Geronimo Aid Station sits. This area has several creek crossings, high ponderosa growth and some very runnable terrain before crossing West Webber creek just before the aid station.
***At the bottom of Turkey Springs Trail you’ll reach an intersection where you can continue straight down the double track towards Geronimo Aid Station or take a hard right at the sign and go up West Webber trail. We put a bunch of signage that you’ll see directing you down the mountain to Geronimo. If all goes well, you will revisit this section coming up the trail from Geronimo and you’ll take West Webber back up the rim to mile 93. For now, just keep going down the trail and you’ll be fine. But take note as you pass the sign, you’ll see this again and this is where you’ll start the final climb of the race.
#3 Geronimo to Washington Park AS (Mile 29.8) - 9.9 Mile Segment
Leaving Geronimo you are welcomed with a 2 mile climb up switchbacks from 5,300 feet to a bit over 6,000. This opens you up to what is the Highline Trail #31 in all its glory. Rugged, rough and beautiful this trail traverses pine needle covered trail’s, sandstone red rock and sandy wash. It has a great variety and while it has no major climbs it does provide a great deal of short ones that take their toll at the end of the day. It is also alternating from completely exposed terrain to tree cover and at about 6,000 feet it receives the most heat mid afternoon. Leave Geronimo fully hydrated and prepared for a 9.8 mile section that likely will take you 2-3 hours. There are several small creeks to cross, sections of high grass and some sections that with markers still require you to look around and make sure you are on the right path. Along this section it is also the Arizona Trail and some trees will have that logo on the trunk. The Highline Trail #31 also has many markers of a black diamond attached to a tree or the #31 which signifies the trail. These can also help in assisting you east along the trail.
***When you get about 1 mile from the Washington Park Aid Station you will come down a series of short switchbacks to a dirt road. You can go left up the road, right down the road, or straight ACROSS the road. Look across the road and you’ll see the trail winding back up the ridge. Every year at Zane Grey and Mogollon Monster, someone completely ignores all the markers and goes the wrong way, adding miles to their day and misery to their mind. This section is ALL single track minus the 30 feet you have to cross this dirt road. Cross the road and go back up the trail and you’re fine. Again, follow the orange ribbon with black polka dots and watch for the blue & white checkboard wrong way tape. You just have to pay attention.
#4 Washington Park to Bear Canyon AS (Mile 35.9) – 6.1 Mile Segment ~1,650 feet of Gain
Leaving Washington Park you are starting out from mile 20 and making your second climb of the Rim up the Arizona Trail. This 2.0 mile section heads gradually up for 1.6 miles before heading straight up what at one point is a 45% grade. It’s so rocky you will be cursing me. I love this trail. Just embrace it and hammer it out, its short. You’ll maybe see some tourists looking for the Tunnel Trail where the government once thought they would blast a huge hole in the Mogollon Rim to get a train to go to Flagstaff. Epic fail. Now it’s just a 30’ tunnel and an obscure trail people that are grossly out of shape try to find. Instead they’ll find you, think you’re doing the same 1 mile hike and smile at you. If they only knew…
You’ll top out on the Rim Road #300. Here you will see another metal Arizona Trail large sign under the power lines as well as a historical marker for the Battle of Big Dry Wash from a battle from years ago between the Army and the Apache tribe.
From here you will go STRAIGHT across the Rim Road and down the small hill via the road to General Springs Cabin where the trailhead for Fred Haught Trail is. This is your first Crew Access point(NO CREWS IN 2020) and you’ll get to see your beautiful people again as you return from your out and back to Bear Canyon a couple hours later. Just behind the actual cabin you’ll follow the fence line for a couple hundred yards on the Fred Haught single track. The Arizona Trail is the Fred Haught Trail at this point so you’ll keep heading north winding up and around the area, crossing the stream on multiple occasions along the way. Around mile 32, the Arizona Trail clearly splits off and heads left up the mountain while the Fred Haught Trail continues to meander through the forest straight/right. Just keep following Fred Haught up a small hill where you’ll come to a forest road and be greeted by our aid station volunteers at the Bear Canyon Aid.
#4 Bear Canyon Aid to Washington Park II (Mile 42) – 6.1 Mile Segment
This is just south of the location of the gnarly bridge washout on the road that we petitioned so dang hard to be able to have you all cross on race day since you’ll be running on much worse terrain than this little 200 foot section- but to no avail. Anyway, this is your turnaround point, so you’ll head right back up the hill on the Fred Haught Trail and follow this beauty of a trail all the way back to Washington Park.
NOTE: NO CREWS OR PACERS IN 2020. With crew access at General Springs Cabin this year, you are welcome to pick up your pacer here and have them make that fantastic descent off the powerline to Washington Park. Over 40 miles in and two of the Rim climbs out of the way!
#5 Washington Park II to Geronimo II AS (Mile 51.9) - 9.9 Mile Segment
This section is 9.8 miles long but is very challenging and with 42+ miles on your legs and body will likely take much longer than when you did it going west to east twenty miles ago. The trail will look much different with different views and ups being downs and downs being ups. Take plenty of water and prepare yourself for what is a very exposed, rugged and tough section of the course. Again, you can follow Arizona Trail markers, Highline Trail #31 black diamond markers and the orange / black polka dot (good) and blue/white checkerboard (bad) we put out there.
#6 Geronimo II to Donohue AZ (Mile 56.7) – 4.8 Mile Segment
Leaving Geronimo Aid Station you cross the creek and head up the Highline Trail you descended the day prior when you came down Turkey Springs. Be sure to turn right off the Highline to the Geronimo Trail. You’ll follow the ribbons back up the trail, mostly a double track, until you reach the intersection for Turkey Springs and West Webber Trail. This is where you will go LEFT on West Webber. There is a wooden sign, our markers and plenty of signage we place there to make it obvious.
West Webber, if you are in a mindset to enjoy it, is a beautiful trail in the forest. More lush than most areas in the lower half of the Rim it’s a beautiful canopy trail along the forest floor before hitting a wall.
Then it goes straight up.
This is “D**k Knocker.”
1,000 feet in climbing in 1.0 miles at mile 56 (ish) to 57. At this point in any race being PC has long lost its value. The inaugural year 4th place finisher Marius Toma was running into the finish line with me saying, “You know...that last climb...that was...that was really unnecessary…”
Maybe, but it got you to the top and just take the left at the road and you’ll run into Donahue Aid Station at the start of the Donahue Trail. You'll likely be quite tired at this point but the awesome ladies running the aid station will get you refueled and on your way.
#7 Donahue to Finish in Town of Pine (Mile 64) – 7.1 Mile Segment
Donahue Trail leaves the forest road and heads back into the forest. It’s a nice single track for a while before it dumps back onto a forest road, this one filled with old volcanic rock. It’s no bueno. But it’s a short stretch before going back into the forest and some awesome downhill trail with the view on both sides peeking through the trees. You’ll hit a ridge, cross some openings and then hit the switchbacks. Down you go all the way through the boulder field that gets Donahue that slight twitch in people’s faces when they talk about it. You’ll intercept the Highline Trail and you’ll be going right at the “T.” This is an awesome downhill to Pine Trailhead where we started, such a long, long time ago.
This trailhead is at the location of the start of the race and at this point only 2 miles remain to the finish line. Pacers are welcome here to the finish. There’s no point in spending much time here. It’s a parking lot. It’s 2 miles from the finish.
Leaving Pine Trailhead AS you’ll run down the paved road for the trailhead to just before the 87 highway. To cross the road you’ll drop down 15 feet to the right to a culvert access point and go UNDER the road in the tunnel. This is the safest way to get across what can be a busy road. The tunnel is free of debris and about 30ft long. On the opposite side you will be directed 100 meters to the right to Bradshaw Road. Go left down the hill to Old County Road and go right. This is all paved now and the road goes through a residential street until it meets up again with the 87. Head left along the wide shoulder into the town of Pine. You have about ½ a mile left and it’s all through the town itself. Follow the wide shoulder inside the white line past the Sidewinder Saloon, Ponderosa Market, old buildings and the finish line will be at the Community Center by the ice cream shop on Randall.
You’ll see the finish line.
I recommend a full sprint to the finish.