Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB
Fruita, Colorado, CO
The premier desert trail festival in Colorado — stunning red-rock scenery, legit UTMB and Western States qualifier status, and a festive basecamp vibe that makes it worth the trip.
- When
- April 9, 2027
- Distances
- 100K · 50K · 21K · 10K
- Surface
- Trail
- Course
- Lollipop
- Elevation gain
- 6,205 ft
- Altitude
- 4,500 ft–5,400 ft
- Weather
- Mild
- Nearest airport
- GJT
- Suggested trip
- 3 nights
Score breakdown
7.8/10Strong. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| April | 38–65°F | Mild |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
100K
Lollipop · Trail- Elev gain
- 6,205 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 5,400 ft
- Low point
- 4,500 ft
- A shared stem leads into a loop
- Note the loop direction
Lollipop course: Kokopelli Loops on Mack Ridge, then out via the rugged Kokopelli Trail 4WD road to the Western Rim Loop. The climb back off the Western Rim is notably brutal. Western States qualifier: sub-20-hour finish required. UTMB Index earned on finish.
50K
Lollipop · Trail- Elev gain
- 3,639 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 5,400 ft
- Low point
- 4,500 ft
- A shared stem leads into a loop
- Note the loop direction
Kokopelli Loops on Mack Ridge with a bonus lap on the fast and flowy Rustler's Loop, starting from the Moore Fun Aid Station (hit twice). Exhilarating climb up Mack Ridge. UTMB Index earned on finish.
21K
Unknown · Trail- Elev gain
- 1,540 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
Ideal balance distance — captures Fruita's scenic essence without overwhelming newcomers. Still includes mesa climbing and technical sections. UTMB Index earned on finish.
10K
Lollipop · Trail- Elev gain
- 700 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- A shared stem leads into a loop
- Note the loop direction
Lollipop on Steve's Loop; overlooks narrow canyons and the Colorado River. Two fully stocked aid stations. Great intro to the Kokopelli trail system.
Travel
- Base town
- Fruita
- Nearest airport
- GJT · 15 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Limited
- Lodging
- Limited
- Facilities
- Limited
- Trip length
- 3 nights
- Travel complexity
- 4/10
GJT is a small regional airport with limited direct flights; most travelers connect through Denver (DEN). A rental car is essentially required — rideshare is sparse in Fruita. Lodging in Fruita is limited; Grand Junction (10 mi east) has more options but books up around race weekend.
Book lodging early — the Fruita/Grand Junction corridor fills quickly for the race weekend. The trailhead is at I-70 Exit 11 (Mack), about 10 miles west of Grand Junction and convenient from both towns. No permanent facilities at the trailhead; portables are provided by race management.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- UTMB World Series Index hunters
- Western States 100 qualifier seekers
- Desert scenery lovers
- Runners wanting a multi-distance festival weekend
- Families (free kids' race, basecamp festival)
- Trail purists
- UTMB qualifiers
- Desert race fans
- Runners seeking scenery
Avoid if
- You dislike sandy, rocky desert footing
- Heat or sun exposure concerns you
- You need abundant shade on course
- You're uncomfortable with exposed cliff-edge trail
- Dislike technical trails
- Sensitive to sun/heat
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the Western Rim climb on the 100K — the descent is runnable but the climb back off the rim is brutal. Also, the trailhead parking fills fast; arrive very early or arrange a carpool.
Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
World-class mountain biking on the same trail system as the race; iconic Fruita riding destination.
- Colorado National Monument Activity
Stunning red-rock canyon NPS unit just outside Fruita; great for pre/post-race hiking and scenic drives.
- Fruita Basecamp RV Resort & CottagesLodging
RV and cabin lodging in Fruita; convenient for multi-night festival stays.
- Copper Club Brewing CompanyCoffee
Local Fruita craft brewery; popular hangout for the outdoor-sports crowd before and after racing.
- Balanced Rock Inn Lodging
Simple, runner-friendly lodging near Fruita center.
Modern hotel convenient to trailhead access.
Happening nearby
- COPMOBA (Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association) Partner / festival
The volunteer trail organization that maintains the Kokopelli Loops; deeply tied to the local trail community that hosts Desert RATS.
Runner reports
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Race history
Race-trip notes
Stay in Fruita or Grand Junction (10 miles east); both have solid lodging and restaurant options. The basecamp festival at the trailhead runs all weekend, so plan for a full Thursday–Sunday trip to enjoy packet pickup, the kids' race, and post-race celebration.
About this race
Desert RATS gathers runners at the Hawkeye Trailhead off I-70's Mack Exit for three days of racing across high desert mesas above the Colorado River. Courses range from the family-friendly 10K on Steve's Loop to the epic 100K traversing the Western Rim of the Kokopelli Trail. Cliff-edge singletrack, sandy washes, and sweeping canyon views define the experience at elevations between 4,500 and 5,400 feet.
Last verified June 29, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.
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