High Desert Ultra 2026: 50K, 30K and 10K Aid Stations, Cutoffs and What to Carry
Quick answer: The High Desert Ultra is on Saturday, December 5, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California, with a 50K, a 30K and a 10K. The 50K and 30K start together at 7:00 AM, and the 10K starts at 8:00 AM, all from the Cerro Coso Community College gym. The 50K is a desert loop with about 2,800 ft of climbing and nine aid stations. There are two cutoffs for every distance: 2:30 PM at Gracie's aid station and 4:00 PM at the finish. Race-day temperatures can run from 30°F to 80°F, and the race advises carrying a water bottle between aid stations. Online registration on UltraSignup closes Thursday, December 3.
High Desert Ultra 2026 at a glance
| Date | Saturday, December 5, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Start and finish | Cerro Coso Community College gym, 3000 S. College Heights Blvd., Ridgecrest, CA |
| Distances and starts | 50K and 30K at 7:00 AM, 10K at 8:00 AM, optional 6:00 AM early start for the 50K and 30K |
| Climb | About 2,800 ft (50K), about 1,835 ft (30K); course low point 2,516 ft, high point 3,705 ft |
| Terrain | Rolling desert on jeep roads, single track and sandy washes |
| Aid | 9 stations on the 50K, 4 on the 30K |
| Cutoffs | 2:30 PM at Gracie's, 4:00 PM at the finish, for all distances |
| Age minimum | 17 for the 50K, 16 for the 30K |
| Organizer | Over The Hill Track Club, Ridgecrest (first race in 1986) |
Source: High Desert Ultra website (othtc.com/ultra) and the race's UltraSignup listing, read October 29, 2026.
The course
Every distance starts and finishes in front of the Cerro Coso Community College gym. The 50K and 30K are loops over rolling desert terrain on jeep roads, single track trails and sandy washes, marked with chalk, ribbons and signs. The interactive course maps on the race website let you download a GPX file. The 10K climbs past the historic Gold Bug mine, crosses the ridgetop to the Gracie's Mansion aid station and then follows the 30K course back to the college.
Aid stations and the gaps between them
| # | 50K aid station | Mile | Gap from previous |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hubcap | 4.7 | 4.7 miles from the start |
| 2 | Haystack Turn | 7.7 | 3.0 miles |
| 3 | Saddle | 10.2 | 2.5 miles |
| 4 | Highway Crossing | 12.8 | 2.6 miles |
| 5 | Wagon Wheel (crew access) | 16.2 | 3.4 miles |
| 6 | Double Rocks | 19.8 | 3.6 miles |
| 7 | Right Hand Turn | 21.7 | 1.9 miles |
| 8 | Gracie's (cutoff 2:30 PM) | 24.8 | 3.1 miles |
| 9 | Last Turn | 28.5 | 3.7 miles |
The 30K uses four of these stations: Hubcap (mile 4.7), Double Rocks (mile 10.2), Right Hand Turn (mile 12) and Gracie's (mile 15.1). The stations stock water, electrolyte drink, cola, cookies, bananas, pretzels, Vaseline and S-caps. There is no ibuprofen on course.
What to carry
The race advises everyone to carry a water bottle between aid stations. On the 50K the longest gap is the first one, 4.7 miles from the start to Hubcap. On the 30K it is the 5.5 miles from Hubcap to Double Rocks. In open desert the time between stations matters more than the distance, so plan water with our guide to how much water to carry on a trail run.
The bigger decision is clothing. The race says race-day temperatures can run from 30°F to 80°F and recommends layers, so you will probably start in more than you finish in. A vest gives you somewhere to put the layer you take off. A 5L vest such as the LECAMO ROOT5 comes with two 500ml soft flasks, one liter in total, and has room for a phone, fuel and a light layer. If you want space for a warmer layer and more food, the ROOT8 is an 8L vest that ships with two soft flasks. You can compare all three capacities on our trail running packs page.
Ordering a vest for this race? US orders ship in 1 to 2 business days, and delivery takes an estimated 3 to 7 business days after shipment. Order by Wednesday, November 18, and that timeline has it with you by Wednesday, December 2, three days before the start. Run in it at least once with your full race load before race day.
Cutoffs
| Checkpoint | 50K mile | 30K mile | Cutoff | Elapsed from 7:00 AM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gracie's aid station | 24.8 | 15.1 | 2:30 PM | 7:30 |
| Finish | about 31.1 | about 18.6 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 |
The cutoffs apply to every distance. Runners who reach Gracie's after 2:30 PM get a ride back to the finish area. The elapsed times are our arithmetic from the 7:00 AM start. For the 50K, the finish cutoff needs the faster average pace: about 17:22 per mile over the full distance, against about 18:09 per mile to reach Gracie's. If you expect to be close, take the 6:00 AM early start. You must check in with the race director, and early starters get credit for finishing but are not eligible for awards. There is no early start for the 10K.
Weather and daylight
December mornings in the Mojave start cold. The race expects anything from 30°F to 80°F on race day, and its 2025 recap describes temperatures from the high 30s to the mid 60s. By our calculation, sunrise in Ridgecrest on December 5 is about 6:45 AM, civil twilight begins about 6:17 AM, and sunset is about 4:37 PM. The 7:00 AM start is in daylight and the 4:00 PM finish cutoff comes before sunset. If you take the 6:00 AM early start, you begin in the dark, so carry a light. Our guide to cold-weather layering covers what to start in.
Packet pickup, travel and crew
- Bib and shirt pickup: Friday, December 4, 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the California Welcome Center, 880 N. China Lake Blvd. You can also pick up at the start line from 5:15 AM on race morning.
- Registration: On UltraSignup, closing Thursday, December 3, at 11:59 PM PT. Late registration is also offered at Friday pickup. Shirts are only guaranteed for paid entries received by November 1, 2026.
- Crew: 50K crews can meet runners at Wagon Wheel (mile 16.2), which is reachable on paved roads. The race website gives driving directions from the college.
- At the start: Bathrooms and showers are open in the gym from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Across the road there is a grassy area with shade trees and picnic tables for families.
- Getting there: Ridgecrest is in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles. The race estimates about 3 hours from LAX, depending on traffic.
- Staying over: The host hotel is the SpringHill Suites by Marriott. The race website lists a discounted rate of $139 per night, and the last day to book it is November 23. The college does not allow camping or overnight parking, but dispersed camping is permitted on nearby BLM land.
Rules
- You must be at least 17 to run the 50K and at least 16 to run the 30K.
- Fees are not refundable or transferable. Withdrawals get credit toward next year on a sliding scale: 75% at 90 days out, 50% at 30 days, 25% at 14 days, and nothing after that.
- No pets on the course or in the start and finish area.
- Headphones are strongly discouraged.
- The course crosses BLM land that stays open to hikers, mountain bikers and riders during the race.
- If you drop, tell a race staff member at an aid station or check in with the timing company at the finish.
Awards and a little history
Every finisher receives a handmade ceramic medal. The overall awards are custom made each year by Skip Gorman, and the 2026 trophy is a raven. The 50K and 30K have age group awards three deep, plus a military division, and the first man and woman in the 50K receive a lifetime entry. The Over The Hill Track Club was organized in 1973 and first held the High Desert Ultra in 1986. In 2025 the race had 74 runners in the 50K and 49 in the 30K, and 29 finishers in the first 10K. The 50K course records are 3:10:22 (Jesus Campos, 2013) and 3:39:42 (Heather Fuhr, 2010). If this will be your first ultra, our 50K training plan is a good place to start.
Why LECAMO is backing the High Desert Ultra
LECAMO is one of the race's 2026 sponsors. We support trail races with prizes and gear for their runners, and you can see the other races on our race partners page.
FAQ
When is the High Desert Ultra 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026, in Ridgecrest, California. The 50K and 30K start at 7:00 AM and the 10K at 8:00 AM.
What are the cutoffs?
2:30 PM at Gracie's aid station and 4:00 PM at the finish, for all distances.
Is there an early start?
Yes, at 6:00 AM for the 50K and 30K. Check in with the race director. Early starters get finish credit but are not eligible for awards.
How many aid stations are there?
Nine on the 50K and four on the 30K. The race advises carrying a water bottle between them.
When does registration close?
Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM PT on UltraSignup.
Can my crew meet me on course?
On the 50K, at the Wagon Wheel aid station (mile 16.2).
LECAMO is a sponsor of the 2026 High Desert Ultra. Sunrise and sunset times are our own calculation, and the gaps between aid stations and the paces are worked out from the race's listed mileages and times. Sources: High Desert Ultra website and UltraSignup listing. Read October 29, 2026.