Crazy Mountain 100: Course Guide & Cutoffs
A comprehensive guide to Montana's only 100-mile ultramarathon—course details, aid stations, cutoffs, and what makes this race unique.
Race Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Race Date | Friday, July 24, 2026 at 6:00 AM |
| Distance | 100 miles, point-to-point |
| Elevation Gain | ~23,000 feet |
| Elevation Range | 5,800 ft → 10,200 ft |
| Terrain | Single track, forest road, double track, cairn-following on ridgelines |
| Time Limit | 36 hours (finish closes Saturday 6:00 PM) |
| Start | Westling Ranch, Pepper Ln, Wilsall, MT |
| Finish | Berg Ranch, 41 Berg Rd, Martinsdale, MT |
| Course Records | Men: 22:02:40 / Women: 25:06:10 |
| Qualifier For | Hardrock 100, Western States 100 |
What Makes This Race Unique
The Crazy Mountain 100 traverses the Crazy Mountain Range in south-central Montana—a remote, rugged, and sacred landscape. The course navigates through:
- Indigenous lands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) people, who call this range Awaxaawippíia (“ominous or angry mountain”)
- Private ranch land from multi-generational family operations
- Public land and National Forest
This is one of the few opportunities to experience the bulk of the Crazy Mountain Range, which is otherwise difficult to access due to limited public entry points.
Key Course Characteristics
- Technical terrain: Rocky single track requiring foot and ankle conditioning
- Remote sections: Some aid station gaps exceed 13 miles
- Weather variability: Can swing from 90°F to hail/snow in the same day
- Self-sufficiency required: Water filtration recommended, bear spray highly recommended
- Navigation challenges: Some sections have no distinguishable trail—follow cairns and ridgelines
- Wildlife: Bear country with mountain lions, moose, and other wildlife present
Elevation Profile
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Elevation | ~5,800 ft |
| High Point | ~10,200 ft |
| Total Gain | ~23,000 ft |
| Total Loss | ~22,800 ft |
The course features significant climbing throughout, with major ascents in the first half and continued technical terrain in the second half. The elevation profile from CalTopo shows:
- Minimum elevation: 5,144 ft
- Average elevation: 7,333 ft
- Maximum elevation: 10,021 ft
- Land cover: 65% forest, 17% grassland, 14% shrub, 3% crops
Aid Stations
| Station | Mile | Miles Between | Drop Bag | Crew | Pacer | Can Drop Here | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 0 | — | — | Yes | No | No | — |
| Porcupine | 6.1 | 6.1 | Yes | No | No | No | — |
| Ibex | 19.4 | 13.3 | Yes | No | No | No | — |
| Cow Camp | 31.9 | 12.5 | No | No | No | No | 1:00 PM Fri |
| Halfmoon | 43.4 | 11.5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9:45 PM Fri |
| Conical Pass Cutoff | 50 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | 12:45 AM Sat |
| Cow Camp (return) | 54.8 | 4.8 | No | No | No | No | — |
| Sunlight | 63.3 | 8.5 | Yes | Yes | Yes (hike in only) | Yes | 5:30 AM Sat |
| Crandall | 70.4 | 7.1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7:45 AM Sat |
| Forest Lake | 78.3 | 7.9 | Yes | Yes* | Yes | Yes | 10:15 AM Sat |
| Honey Trail | 85.4 | 7.1 | Yes | No | No | No | — |
| Huntin Camp | 92.8 | 7.4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | THE END | 4:45 PM Sat |
| Finish | 100 | 7.2 | — | Yes | — | — | 6:00 PM Sat |
Forest Lake: Crew access via extremely rough road. 4WD and good tires required.
Key Notes
- No crew access at Sunlight station by vehicle—walk/bike in only (~7 miles to aid station)
- You cannot make both Sunlight and Crandall by vehicle due to road conditions and distance
- Halfmoon to Huntin Camp is the critical crew planning stretch—consider splitting crew
- Pacers can join at Halfmoon (mile 43.4) or later
- Runners 60+ may request early pacer access
Cutoff Analysis
The 36-hour cutoff requires maintaining approximately 16:40/mile average pace. Here’s how the cutoffs break down:
| Segment | Miles | Time Allowed | Required Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start → Halfmoon | 43.4 | 15:45 | 21:47/mile |
| Halfmoon → Conical Pass | 6.6 | 3:00 | 27:16/mile |
| Conical Pass → Sunlight | 13.3 | 4:45 | 21:26/mile |
| Sunlight → Crandall | 7.1 | 2:15 | 19:01/mile |
| Crandall → Forest Lake | 7.9 | 2:30 | 18:59/mile |
| Forest Lake → Huntin Camp | 14.5 | 6:30 | 26:54/mile |
| Huntin Camp → Finish | 7.2 | 1:15 | 10:25/mile |
Warning: The final segment (Huntin Camp to Finish) has the tightest cutoff relative to pace required. Arrive at Huntin Camp with buffer time.
Mandatory Gear
You must carry the following at all times:
- Collapsible cup (race is cupless for drinks)
- Hydration pack
- Headlamp or waist light
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Emergency blanket
- Provided GPS tracking device
- Personal first aid items specific to your needs (epipen, medications, etc.)
Highly Recommended:
- Bear spray
- Water filter (Salomon XA filter recommended)
- Phone with course map downloaded (every year someone goes off trail)
- Gloves, hat, extra layers
- Extra socks in drop bags
Important: Do NOT put your epipen in a drop bag. Carry it with you. There are bees and stinging insects—someone gets stung every year. The race does not carry epipens.
Drop Bags
- Size limit: Medium-sized dry bag, approximately 20L or less
- No large tote containers (volunteers carry all drop bags)
- Submission deadline: Thursday 3:00-7:00 PM at Berg Ranch (no race-day drop bags)
Crew Rules
- One vehicle per crew at any aid station
- Stay within 100 yards of aid station
- Do not cause runner to leave course
- No muling: You cannot carry anything for your runner outside aid stations
- Dogs must remain on leash at all times at start, finish, and aid stations
- Crews receive access pass for finish line and Huntin Camp
Crew Logistics Tips
The roads between aid stations are remote, rough, and time-consuming. Key planning notes:
- Halfmoon from Finish Line: ~1 hr 49 min via Harlowton (83 miles)
- Crandall from Halfmoon: ~2.5 hours driving
- Forest Lake: Extremely rough road—you likely cannot make Crandall AND Forest Lake
- Sunlight: Walk-in only, no vehicle access to the aid station itself
Consider splitting your crew or choosing which stations to prioritize.
Race Week Schedule
Thursday, July 23
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | Camping opens at start line | Pepper Ln, Wilsall |
| 3:00-7:00 PM | Packet pickup & drop bag submission | Berg Ranch (Finish) |
| 6:00-6:30 PM | Mandatory race briefing | Berg Ranch |
Friday, July 24 (Race Day)
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 4:10 AM | Shuttle to start LEAVES SHARP | Berg Ranch → Wilsall |
| 5:00-5:50 AM | Runner check-in | Start Line |
| 5:45 AM | Race briefing | Start Line |
| 6:00 AM | RACE START | Westling Ranch |
Saturday, July 25
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| All Day | Finish line open | Berg Ranch |
| ~4:00 PM | Post-race food | Berg Ranch |
| 5:00-6:00 PM | Golden Hour—cheer in final runners! | Finish Line |
| 6:00 PM | Finish line closes | Berg Ranch |
| 6:15 PM | Awards ceremony | Berg Ranch |
Sunday, July 26
- Sleep in, recover
- Pack up and depart by 10:00 AM (or stay to help with cleanup)
Local Resources
Nearby Towns
- Wilsall: Start line area
- Big Timber: Near Halfmoon aid station, good resupply
- White Sulphur Springs: Nearest larger town to finish
- Livingston: Hotels and services, ~45 min from Wilsall
Emergency Contacts
- 911 (of course)
- Livingston Health Care: 406-222-3541 (24 hours)
- Pioneer Medical Center (Big Timber): 406-932-4603 (24 hours)
- Mountainview Medical Center (White Sulphur): 406-547-3321 (24 hours)
Related Pages
Data sourced from the official Crazy Mountain 100 Runner’s Guide and crazymountainultra.com