Races
Elephant Mountain 50 Miler
Cave Creek desert big loop. Rocky Sonoran climbs. Phoenix basin views. January durability before the spring block.
50 mi+4,264 ft-4,264 ft15 hours2,064 ft to 3,870 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookJanuary long runSonoran DesertJanuary
Distance50 mi
Gain+4,264 ft
Loss-4,264 ft
Altitude2,064 ft to 3,870 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 70°F
- Start2,064 ft
- High3,870 ft
- Low2,064 ft
- Finish2,064 ft
Terrain
Field, 2026 · 7-year samplescraped
Starters73
Finish rate77%
Median13:47
Sub-2456
Geometryderived
Steepest drop666 ft-6.0% over 2.1 mi
Night miles11 misunset near 18:00 local
Weather at the cruxderived
At hour 8 of race, feels like 18 C (72 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 8 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 18 C / 65 F.
Course records
Men7:44:34Cordis Hall
Women9:19:51Taelor Smith
The cruxDesert Mountain traverse with rocky climbs above Cave Creek (near mile 33)
Course DNA
The Course
Elephant Mountain 50 Miler runs 50 mi through Cave Creek, Arizona. +4,264 ft gain and -4,264 ft loss. Surfaces skew 90% trail / 10% jeep. Desert Mountain traverse with rocky climbs above Cave Creek. High point near 3,870 ft. Low near 2,064 ft. January temps run 35°F to 70°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 25.
The Work
Train for 4,264 feet of climbing across 50 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 15 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 33.
Kit
January in Cave Creek, Arizona: plan for 35°F to 70°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 15 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 13. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 90% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 25.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 13. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 25. Desert Mountain traverse with rocky climbs above Cave Creek near mile 33 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 17 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Elephant Mountain 50 Miler finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=125347
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=105638
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=116700