Trails & Rails 2026
Cloudcroft, NM
Registration closed
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| June | 50–76°F | Mild |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
Kids' Dash (1-Mile)
Unknown · Mixed- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
1-mile Kids' Dash near race start area. Start-area management noted as somewhat informal in 2026 (first-hand field note).
8-Mile
Loop · Mixed · starts 8:30 AM- Elev gain
- 1,350 ft
- Elev loss
- 1,350 ft
- High point
- 8,600 ft
- Low point
- 7,200 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Short paved opening loop to prevent bottlenecks, then historic railroad grade, old highway segments, and rolling singletrack. Primarily downhill on scenic ridgeline in early miles; a sustained ~2.5-mile climb dominates the final third. Two water stations on course. Altitude (8,676 ft) adds meaningful physiological load for flatlanders.
3-Mile
Loop · Mixed- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Shares paved opening loop and rail-grade/singletrack sections with the 8-mile. Significant elevation change for the distance at altitude; accessible for fit hikers.
Travel
- Base town
- Cloudcroft
- Nearest airport
- ELP · 123 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Poor
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 5/10
ELP is ~104 road miles / ~2 hrs from Cloudcroft; a rental car is essentially required. Cloudcroft is a tiny village (pop. ~750) with limited lodging — book well in advance. No rideshare infrastructure.
Route from ELP typically uses US-54 N to US-82 E. Visitors from Dallas face a ~9-hour drive. Arrive at least one day early to acclimate to 8,676 ft elevation.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- altitude-curious runners
- Southwest locals
- history buffs
- families (Kids' Dash)
- series chasers (Sacramento Mountains Ultra Series)
- trail enthusiasts
- mountain runners
- families
- runners seeking elevation challenge
Avoid if
- you need flat, fast PR conditions
- altitude sickness is a concern (8,676 ft start)
- you want a large race atmosphere
- altitude sensitive
- seeking flat/fast PR course
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the altitude — arrive a day early to acclimate. The 8-mile course feels moderate until a sustained ~2.5-mile climb in the final third that most runners end up hiking.
Photos
Tap a photo to enlarge.
Field Notes
- Slogging Uphill, Cold Beer Downhill: Trails & Rails 2026
If you want mountain scenery, a tough hill, and a beer at the end, this is your race.
Community reports — 2026
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