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Course Changes

There have not been any course changes since the 2006 Run.
The forest fire damage from 2001 to the Duncan Canyon area was repaired in time for the 2006 Run. The trail between Red Star Ridge and Robinson Flat via Duncan Canyon will once again be used in 2007, along with the new route from Robinson Flat to Dusty Corners. The changes to the route (as compared to the 2002 thru 2005 Runs) are shown on the two maps linked below.
Red Star to Robinson Flat
Red Star to Robinson Flat 		Robinson Flat to Dusty Corners
Robinson Flat to Dusty Corners
 

WSER Course Changes made in 2006

The Star Fire. In August and September of 2001, the Star Fire burned a significant portion of the WS trails between Red Star and Robinson Flat Aid Stations. A total of 16,600 acres in the Tahoe and El Dorado National Forests were damaged by the fire. As a result, we lost the use of 14.2 miles of the historical course, forcing us to reroute the WS course around this area for the 2002 thru 2005 events. Once the fire was out, there was significant risk to anyone using the trails in the area due to the presence of trees that were dead but still standing. These trees are known as "snags" and can silently fall without warning. The ground cover in this area was mainly Manzanita, which burns at very high temperatures and can quite literally sterilize the ground as it burns. Without ground cover, trail erosion was a significant factor in keeping the area closed. Fortunately, the area is easily accessible, and the US Forest Service initiated an aggressive restoration program for the area resulting in the 2006 reopening.

2006 Course change description.

  1. One mile has been removed from the route of the climb from Squaw Valley to the Escarpment Aid Station.
  2. After arriving at the Red Star Aid Station, runners will cross the Forest Service Road and continue along the spine of Red Star Ridge. The distance from Red Star to Robinson Flat using the Duncan Canyon route is 13.7 miles. With a difference of 6.1 miles, the mid-pack runner will arrive at Robinson Flat approximately 90 minutes later than last year. You will climb 2,823 feet and descend 2,458 feet using the new route, for a total gain of 365 feet.
  3. The Duncan Canyon aid station is back in operation as of the 2006 Run. It is 7.8 miles from Red Star to the Duncan Canyon aid station and another 5.9 miles to Robinson Flat.
  4. Upon departing the Robinson Flat aid station, you will climb a new trail to the top of Little Bald Mountain and down the other side to a new aid station, "Miller's Defeat." This single-track trail avoids the use of fire roads and presents some stunning views along the way. The trail distance from Robinson Flat to Miller's Defeat Aid Station is 4.7 miles. You will climb 850 feet and descend about 1100 feet using this section of trail.
  5. After leaving the Miller's Defeat Aid Station,you will follow a Forest Service road (FR 43) for 7/10 miles before turning right onto a single-track trail for the remaining 2.9 miles to Dusty Corners. There, the trail rejoins the WS course leading past Pucker Point and onward to the Last Chance Aid Station. When you arrive at Dusty Corners Aid Station, you will have completed all of the 2006 mileage adjustments.