UltraCoolHigh-altitudeForest

High Desert to Cloudcroft 50K

Cloudcroft, NM

A cold, scenic point-to-point trail ultra that starts in desert heat and finishes in a high-altitude mountain town.

This is a point-to-point desert-to-mountain ultra in New Mexico. It starts at lower desert elevation and finishes in the Sacramento Mountains near Cloudcroft. Expect start and finish conditions to differ. Best for runners who want dramatic scenery and are comfortable with altitude, rental-car logistics, and point-to-point planning.

When: September 19, 2026
Distances: 50K
Surface: Trail
Course: Point-to-point
Elevation gain: 6,800 ft
Altitude: 4,600 ft–9,200 ft
Weather: Cool
Nearest airport: ELP
Suggested trip: 3 nights

Weather

This is a multi-climate course — conditions differ along the route, so we show weather by point rather than a single city average.

Point	Avg high / low	Band
Start — High desert start	55–85°F	Warm
High point — Sacramento Mtns high point	36–58°F	Cool
Finish — Cloudcroft village	42–68°F	Cool

Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.

Route & course

50K

Point-to-point · Trail

Elev gain: 6,800 ft
Elev loss: 1,200 ft
High point: 9,200 ft
Low point: 4,600 ft

Start and finish are in different locations
Plan shuttle, drop-off, or two-car logistics
Conditions can differ from start to finish

Start · 4,600 ftHigh point · 9,200 ftFinish · 8,650 ft

Travel

Base town: Cloudcroft
Nearest airport: ELP · 150 min
Rental car: Recommended
Rideshare: Poor
Lodging: Limited
Facilities: Remote
Trip length: 3 nights
Travel complexity: 8.5/10

Point-to-point with a remote desert start and a mountain finish; a rental car and shuttle planning are essential.

Fly into El Paso, drive ~2.5 hrs. Book Cloudcroft lodging early — it is a small village.

Best for / avoid if

Best for

Runners who want a dramatic terrain and climate transition
Those comfortable with altitude and sustained climbing
Travelers who want a quiet mountain-town weekend

Avoid if

You dislike rental cars or point-to-point logistics
You are avoiding high altitude
You want a flat, fast PR course

Field Notes

Field Notes: High Desert to Cloudcroft 50K
Worth every mile of the climb — start in the desert, finish in the pines.

About this race

One of the most dramatic terrain transitions in U.S. ultrarunning: you start among yucca and creosote on warm desert flats and climb into ponderosa forest, finishing in the cool mountain town of Cloudcroft. The altitude gain is relentless and the weather genuinely changes underfoot.

Last verified June 19, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.