Bozeman, MT, United States · Saturday, July 11, 2026

Fixed Distance 50 mi

Devils Backbone 50 Miler

Race completed

80 km Distance

3,500 m Climbing

9.3 Grit · Elite / extreme

45.6797° N, 111.0386° W© OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 44 m / km Mountain. Significant climbing. Steep sections will require power hiking.

Time limit 18 hours 13:30 min/km average. Generous. Walkable throughout for most of the field. More forgiving than 78% of 50 mi races. Measured against 455 races of the same distance. Cut-off calculator →

Field size ~8 Tiny. You will run alone for most of it.

DUV results for the 2025 edition (50mi) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, July

Daytime high 26°C

Night low 10°C

Rainfall Mostly dry

Daylight 15 h 29 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for July — NASA POWER, grid elevation 1997 m. Not a forecast.

The Aid Station

Course-specific beta from the community

⛰️ terrain

This is a mountain course. Poles are highly recommended for the sustained climbs.

By UltraHub Expert

👟 gear

With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

By UltraHub Expert

Gear for this race

Chosen for 80 km of trail with 3,500 m of ascent.

Trail Running Shoes44 m of climb per kilometre — grip and rock protection before cushioning.
Race Nutrition80 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration VestsPole attachment and chest-strap stability on steep ground.
Trekking Poles3,500 m of ascent to walk up.
HeadlampsA 18 h limit puts you out there after dark.

Asics

Trabuco Max 3

★★★★★ 4.6

La Sportiva

Prodigio Pro

RunRepeat found the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro to have a secure, locked-in fit due to its premium upper, and also praised the shoe's energetic ride, particularly…

$225 ★★★★★ 4.6

Spring Energy

Awesome Sauce

Real food gel with 180 calories. Rice-based with natural flavors.

$4 ★★★★★ 4.6

Nathan

VaporKrar 12L

12L race vest co-designed with ultra champion Rob Krar, with insulated bladder pocket.

$170 ★★★★★ 4.6

Black Diamond

Distance FLZ

Lightweight folding trekking poles with FlickLock Z adjustment. 340g per pole.

$170 ★★★★★ 4.7

Petzl

NAO RL

1500-lumen reactive lighting headlamp with 15-hour runtime. Automatic brightness adjustment.

$150 ★★★★★ 4.7

All gear guides →

Course Notes

Course starts and finishes at the Hyalite Creek Trailhead and is out and back on 100% trails with one significant climb to 10,300 feet and multiple short steep climbs totaling 11,400 feet. Technical and difficult - experienced ultrarunners only!

Similar races

Other 50 mi trail ultras, closest in distance first.