Cloudcroft Ultra
Cloudcroft, NM
A strikingly scenic high-altitude mountain ultra in the Sacramento Mountains; the altitude is very real, and the monsoon season adds a wildcard for back-of-pack 53K runners.
- When
- August 15, 2026
- Distances
- 4.75 Mile · 1-Mile Kid's Dash · 9.5 Mile · 53K
- Surface
- Trail
- Course
- Out-and-back
- Elevation gain
- —
- Altitude
- 7,953 ft–9,368 ft
- Weather
- Warm
- Nearest airport
- ELP
- Suggested trip
- 2 nights
Score breakdown
7.0/10Strong. A strong destination race with real appeal.
Also worth knowing (not weighted)
Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| August | 69–87°F | Warm |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
4.75 Mile
Out-and-back · Trail · starts 8:30 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
Out-and-back on Rim Trail (T105). Accessible for trail-fit runners; altitude at 8,600 ft is the primary wildcard.
1-Mile Kid's Dash
Loop · Trail · starts 8:00 AM- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Loop around Zenith Park; designed for ages 13 and under.
9.5 Mile
Out-and-back · Trail- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 9,368 ft
- Low point
- 7,953 ft
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
Out-and-back on Rim Trail (T105); two aid stations. Whatever you descend on the way out, you climb back on return. Altitude at 8,600 ft base is the primary challenge.
53K
Lollipop · Trail- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 9,400 ft
- Low point
- 7,900 ft
- A shared stem leads into a loop
- Note the loop direction
Out-and-back with a lollipop loop near the summit on the Rim Trail (T105). Six aid stations; drop bags permitted at two. Crew access at Aid 1/6 (~mile 1, Sunspot Hwy) and Aid 3/4 (Alamo Peak Rd). Cut-offs: 11:00 am ~mile 13, 2:00 pm ~mile 20, 4:30 pm ~mile 26, 6:00 pm ~mile 30. Median finish ~8 hrs men / ~8:30 hrs women.
Travel
- Base town
- Cloudcroft, NM
- Nearest airport
- ELP · 90 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Poor
- Lodging
- Limited
- Facilities
- Limited
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 6/10
Small mountain village with limited lodging and no rideshare; a rental car from ELP is essentially required. The 90-min drive on mountain roads is straightforward but add elevation acclimation time.
Book lodging very early — Cloudcroft is a small tourist village and summer weekends fill fast. Parking at Zenith Park is limited; arrive well before your start window. No race shuttle mentioned for the Cloudcroft Ultra (unlike the Trails & Rails event in the series).
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- altitude-acclimated trail runners
- fans of historic singletrack
- runners seeking cool summer mountain racing
- family groups (Kid's Dash + multiple distances)
- trail runners
- mountain running
- high elevation training
- families
Avoid if
- altitude-sensitive runners who can't acclimate
- those expecting flat or fast road courses
- runners who need generous cut-off windows
- you struggle with altitude
- you require urban amenities
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating altitude at 8,600 ft base; arrive at least 1–2 days early to acclimate. Also, parking near Zenith Park is limited; arrive well before your start window.
Photos
Tap a photo to enlarge.
Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
The race course itself — New Mexico's first designated National Recreation Trail. Worth hiking pre- or post-race; shaded singletrack through aspen, fir, and pine.
- Zenith Park — CloudcroftActivity
Race start/finish; a village park at 8,600 ft in the center of Cloudcroft. Good pre/post-race gathering spot.
The national forest surrounding Cloudcroft offers hiking, birding, and mountain biking — excellent non-runner activities for travel companions.
- The Lodge at CloudcroftLodging
Historic mountain lodge near race start
- Cloudcroft Brewing Company Food / restaurant
Local beer, food, and live music
- Lincoln National ForestActivity
Hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor activities
Happening nearby
- Sacramento Mountains Ultra Series Nearby event
Three-race summer/fall series based out of Cloudcroft; the Cloudcroft Ultra is Race 2. Full-series bundle registration available.
Runner reports
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Race history
Race-trip notes
Cloudcroft is a tiny mountain village; book lodging early, as options are limited. El Paso (ELP) is the primary airport (~90 min drive). August is monsoon season; 53K runners doing 8+ hours should carry a light rain layer for afternoon storms.
About this race
The Cloudcroft Ultra is the second event in Wanderlust Running's inaugural Sacramento Mountains Ultra Series. The 53K features an out-and-back course with a lollipop loop near the summit, traversing shaded singletrack through fir, pine, and quaking aspen with views dropping roughly 4,000 feet to the Tularosa Basin. Altitude is the defining challenge; the start/finish is above 8,600 ft, and acclimation is strongly advised for all distances.
Last verified June 20, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.
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