Course Overview
The Above the Clouds Ultra 50K takes place in early October around Woodland Park, Colorado, featuring fast singletrack and forest roads with 4,137 feet of climbing. The course starts in town and climbs Lovell Gulch before connecting to Rampart Range Road, where runners are treated to expansive views of Pikes Peak. From there, the route follows a counter-clockwise loop around Rampart Reservoir on flowing singletrack, then picks up the lesser-traveled 700.A National Forest trail before returning via quiet forest roads and the second half of the Lovell Gulch descent. October timing means peak fall colors, though weather can vary significantly at this elevation. The course mixes exposed ridgeline sections with shaded forest, and runners will encounter everything from technical singletrack around the reservoir to more runnable forest roads on the return. Aid stations are well-spaced and generously stocked, with some offering hot food options mid-race. This race suits runners who enjoy varied terrain and don't mind moderate climbing spread throughout the course. The combination of technical sections and runnable stretches keeps things interesting, while the scenery provides solid motivation during the longer forest road segments. Runners looking for a pure mountain sufferfest might find this more manageable than expected, while those seeking fast, flowing trail with beautiful views will feel right at home.