Monument Valley 50K

Our first race of the year was the Monument Valley 50 Mile Ultramarathon. Because of some wild weather and a few other reasons we decided to do the 50K (32 Miles) instead. Monument Valley is about a 10 hour drive from Boulder and is located on the Arizona/Utah border, near the four corners area. What is unique about this race is that it takes place on the Navaho Reservation which doesn’t allow hiking or trail running normally (unless you hire a Navaho guide). This race traverses some of the most spectacular desert terrain in the southwest.

Much of the drive to Monument Valley is through western Colorado and Utah. We stopped for lunch near the San Rafael Swell, which is a beautiful and remote area.

This was our first trip with our new truck. The Landcruiser was an amazing vehicle but just didn’t have the power to tow an Airstream in the mountains. We camped at Gouldings RV Park in the heart of Monument Valley.

There was a short hike near our campsite which led to a small arch.

The race started at sunrise from the Monument View Hotel and visitor center. It was a beautiful cold morning.

Sentinel Mesa lit by the morning sun.

Staci and Fred at the beginning of the race.

A dramatic wide-angle shot of Sentinel Mesa.

Much of this course was flat through the red desert sand (which incidentally gets into everything).

The top of Mitchell Mesa was the high point of the course.

Three Sisters.

Beginning the climb up Mitchell Mesa.

A view from halfway up Mitchell mesa.

The top of Mitchell Mesa has the best views in Monument Valley.

The Monument View Hotel (which is beautiful) was the start and finish.

A panorama of Elephant Butte, Merrick Butte and East Mitten Butte.

Feeling good we reached the highest point on the course.

As we descended Mitchell Mesa a storm was rapidly approaching.

The last few miles were cold and windy.

An evening picture of the Buttes.

By the next morning, the storm dropped about 3 inches of snow on Monument Valley.

We passed by Forrest Gump Point on the way out of Monument Valley. It was a nice drive until we hit a major snowstorm on Colorado I 70. It took us 3 hours to go from the Frisco Exit to the Silverthorne exit (2 miles) because of multiple accidents. We decided not to continue and spent the night camped in the Lowes parking lot in Silverthorn. Thank goodness for propane heat!