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Silver Lake Trail Challenge

DATE:Saturday, October 4, 2025
START / FINISH LOCATION:Kit Carson Lodge
32161 Kit Carson Rd
Kit Carson, CA 95644
https://www.kitcarsonlodge.com/
DISTANCES:5K, 10K, 8M, Half Marathon, 25K, Trail Marathon
START TIME:8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
CUT-OFF TIMES:5K – 1.5 Hours
10K – 2.5 Hours
8 Mile – 3.5 Hours
Half Marathon – 4.5 Hours
25K – 6 Hours
Marathon – 9 Hours

About the Race

This course is a scenic alpine adventure in the High Sierra of Northern California. The course starts at the Kit Carson Lodge and runs around the Silver Lake on beautiful single track trail surrounded by tall pines and granite mountains. A true trailrunners delight! If you like the High Sierra and are into an incredible challenge, join us.

Troy

REGISTRATION

DISTANCERACE FEEIN PERSON
RACE DAY REGISTRATION
5K$55$65
10K$65$75
8 Mile$70$80
Half Marathon$85$95
25K$90$100
Trail Marathon$100$110
  • Active military & first responders receive a 15% discount. Please email team@tctruns.com to process your registration discount.
  • Entry fees are non-refundable, but the full registration amount (minus processing fees) may be transferred to another future TCTRuns by contacting team@tctruns.com at least 24 hours before the scheduled event.
  • Runners may purchase a Troy’s California Trail Runs sport-tek technical fabric shirt during the registration process, or at the event supply permitting.  All shirts are gender-specific and come in sizes ranging from ladies XS all the way to mens XXL and youth S to XS.
REGISTER
ONLINE
Online registration is available through the evening before the race.
REGISTER
BY MAIL
Please print the form, fill it out, and mail it to us with the enclosed registration fee.
REGISTER
AT RACE
Race day registration is available beginning at 5:45 AM.
VOLUNTEER
NOW
Volunteers are needed to help with aid stations.
Everyone who helps out gets a free future race!

If interested, please email volunteer@tctruns.com.

Schedule

  • 6:45 AM: Runner check-in at the Kit Carson Lodge
  • 7:45 AM. Trail briefing
  • 8:00 AM: Race start for all distances.

Course/Race Information

Race starts at the Kit Carson LodgeKirkwood’s Red Cliffs Day Lodge, 7,300 feet in elevation.

There are going to be three fully loaded aid stations along the course, including the Start / Finish line, long distance runners will hit these aid stations multiple times.
START / FINISH LINE AID STATION @ KIT CARSON LODGE
GRANITE TRAIL HEAD AID STATION
CAMP ALLEN AID STATION

A full service restaurant is also available at the Kit Carson Lodge: https://www.kitcarsonlodge.com/

This is a high sierra alpine race, as such runners are advised to prepare for a race at 7,000+ feet of elevation. Please prepare accordingly, i.e. rain / sun protection, and any other equipment you may need.

Cell phone reception may not be available throughout the entirety of the course.

Bib Colors:

  • 5K, 10K, 8 Mile – Black bibs
  • Half Marathon, 25K – Red bibs
  • Trail Marathon – Yellow bibs

RACE MAPS, AID STATIONS, AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

5K (9:30am overall cutoff, 1.5 Hour Time Limit)

5K COURSE MAP

10K (10:30am overall cutoff, 2.5 Hour Time Limit)

10K COURSE MAP

8 MILE (11:30am overall cutoff, 3.5 Hour Limit)

8 MILE COURSE MAP

Half Marathon (12:30am cutoff, 4.5 Hour Limit)

HALF MARATHON COURSE MAP

25K Course Info (2:00pm cutoff, 6 Hour Limit)

25K COURSE MAP

Trail Marathon (5:00pm cutoff, 9 Hour Limit)

MARATHON COURSE MAP

Upon completing the 25K portion of the course, arriving at the Kit Carson Lodge at mile 16.5 at 2PM. The following enforced cutoff times apply to the Trail Marathon:

230PM @ Granite Trail Head

330PM @ Allen Camp Aid Station / Aid Station Closes

430PM @ Granite Trail Head / Aid Station Closes

5PM @ Finish Line Kit Carson Lodge / Aid Station Closes

Weather

Alpine Summer, Highs – 90 degrees / Lows 54 degrees. Lots of potential heat and sun exposure. Weather in the High Sierra mountains can be extremely unpredictable.

Summer weather at high elevation may include but is not limited to: heat, cold, wind, snow, hail and even thunder/lightning (hence the name of the mountain). Please dress in layers and be prepared!

Awards

All runners receive a medal for finishing the race.

Results

Results are posted here after the race.

Drop Bags

Drop Bags can be checked in at registration for the Camp Allen Aid Station.

Directions, Crew Access, and Parking

Directions leaving the the Start and Finish for the event:

Crew Members can be stationed at the following aid stations to support their runners

START/ FINISH Line at Kit Carson Lodge

Granite Trail Head Parking Lot (1 mile from Kit Carson Lodge)

Camp Allen Aid Station at Plasse’s Resort
30001 Plasse Rd
Pioneer, CA 95666

Travel and Accommodations

Troy’s California Trail Runs is partnered with iWeekender to provide comprehensive travel packages that include accommodations, air travel, and rental cars.

Other lodging and camping information:

TCT Runs is not affiliated with these operators, but they may be able to provide more economical or additional space when conditions are sold out.

Kit Carson Lodge on Silver Lake, about 4 miles west of Kirkwood Resort, with rustic cabins and a restaurant.

Silver Lake West Campground, Silver Lake East-ElDorado Campground, Martin Meadow Campground

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