Spend a Saturday Night in the Mountains!
Trials of Miles, REI, and HOKA are excited to be heading back to Mt. Baldy on July 13! While the 5k course promises to be a challenge, this event is designed for runners of all ability levels. This event also includes an epic afterparty at the Top of the Notch, where runners can enjoy a BBQ dinner, music, and drinks just steps away from the finish line. We can’t promise any 5K PRs on our course, but we can promise amazing views, an unforgettable sunset, and a Saturday night adventure in the mountains.
The Mt. Baldy 5000 Bucket Hat
All runners who finish the Mt. Baldy 5000 will be crowned with a limited edition Mt. Baldy 5000 bucket hat. You can find some shots of last year’s hat below. We will be unveiling the 2024 hat in the coming weeks!
Race Day Instructions
Getting to Baldy: For GPS purposes please use 8401 Mt. Baldy Road to get to the starting line. This will take you past Mt. Baldy Village all the way up to the Mt. Baldy Resort. Please park in the lifts parking lots. There will be plenty of parking.
Cell Service/Gas: There is little to no cell coverage around Mt. Baldy. There is also no gas once you enter into the mountains. Please make sure you plan accordingly.
Checking-In: You can pick up your race bib right near the starting line below the lifts between 2pm and 4:45pm. If you purchased the BBQ dinner, you will also be given a wristband that you will need to show to get your meal at the Notch.
Bag Check: If you want to have a small bag transported to the top, you must drop it at the Uhaul (that will be parked near the starting line) before 4:15 pm. Space in the Uhaul is limited, so please do not check large bags, and do not use this bag check if you have friends and family meeting you at the top (give your change of clothes to them!)
The Course: The race begins at the bottom of the Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts (elevation 6,400 feet) and contains roughly 1500 feet of total elevation gain. Runners will start heading across the parking lot and go up the small Manker Trail. This first 1/3 mile of the climb is very steep and challenging. Things level off a bit after that, but it's a steady climb for the first 2.2 miles. The course ends with a .9 mile loop at the top that drops runners back down a bit before closing things out with one final climb. It's not a fast course, but it's a fun one and we promise the views at the top will make it all worth it! (Please note that this course does NOT go up under chair 1, which the original course map appeared to indicate.)
Post Race Celebration: Every athlete that crosses the finish line will get a Mt. Baldy 5000 Bucket Hat, but the real reward is getting to spend a summer night at the Top of the Notch. In addition to the BBQ dinner, there is a full bar, and we'll have live music. We hope you stick around after the race, and friends and family are more than welcome to join us!
Getting to the Notch (and Back Down): Obviously the race will take all of our athletes from the ski lifts parking lots up to the Notch. After the race is over, you can take the lift back down to the parking lot simply by showing your race bib. Friends and family can also meet you at the top by taking the lift up. Please encourage them to purchase lift tickets ahead of time on the Mt. Baldy Resort website. Tickets can also be purchased at the bottom of the mountain on race day, but they will be more expensive. The ride is roughly 15-20 minutes. That means your friends can watch you start, and then take the lift up and meet you at the finish.