The course begins on the Tahqua Trail 4.3 miles west of Whitefish Bay in eastern Lake Superior. Runners follow a dirt forest road along the Tahquamenon River for one half mile until they reach the North Country Trail (NCT).  The single track NCT winds through spruce swale, pine ridges, lush bogs, Jack Pine savannah, and past the Camp 10 and Water Tank lakes, where the occasional moose can be spotted.  Runners reach Lower Tahquamenon Falls nine and a half miles into the race.

The NCT then transitions into the heavily forested Lower Falls trails. One mile later the course merges with the River Trail which travels along the Tahquamenon River. The River Trail features old growth hemlock and yellow birch.   Runners hear the roar of the Upper Falls encouraging a strong finish near the top of the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. Runners are bused to start from your choice of the Upper Falls Parking Lot (Finish Area) or downtown Paradise (at the Whitefish Township School). Bus schedule will be available two weeks before the race. Aid stations stocked with cold water, cold Gnarly Hydrate are located at 3.5 and 9.5 miles. Runners are required to carry a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system which can be refilled at each station with water or Gnarly Hydrate. 

There are six aid stations located 4-5.4 miles apart: 4, 8.4, 12.8, 18.2, 22.6, and 27 miles. Aid stations are accessible by vehicle and are great locations for spectators to view the race.  Runners are required to carry a 20oz water bottle or functional hydration system that can be refilled.  Volunteers will have large pitchers with cold water and cold Gnarly Fuel2O energy drink with electrolytes to quickly refill your water bottle or hydration system.

50K Aid Station Closing Times

There is sufficient parking at the Upper Falls parking lot of Tahquamenon Falls State Park.  We still encourage runners to car pool if possible as this is a very busy park in the summer. 

NOTE: There are two separate entrances to the state park: Upper Falls and Lower Falls. Please be sure to go to the Upper Falls parking & shuttle pickup for Tahqua.

Shuttle: Buses will pickup 25K runners in the Upper Falls parking lot near the brewery.

There will be a space near the start/finish area to store your gear while racing. Race personnel can bring items back to the finish if you take them to the start.

Awards & Festival
All finishers completing their registered course will receive a commemorative award recognizing their accomplishment.

Podium awards will be given for
• Top 3 male and female finishers in each distance

Aravaipa will host the Aspen Backcountry Marathons in the same park as the annual fundraising event by the Rotary Club named the Duck Derby. This will include live music, food trucks, beverages, etc. Stick around and spend the day in Aspen!

Runners begin at the Lower Tahquamenon Falls, in the grassy area behind the gift shop. After a 1.7 mile loop up into the forested highlands above the falls the course descends and joins the River Trail as it winds along the banks of the Tahquamenon River.  The trail is shaded by old growth hemlock, yellow birch, and dense stands of sugar maple.  The course finishes on the trail above the Upper Tahquamenon Falls.

Runners bused to the start from your choice of the Upper Falls Parking Lot (Finish Area) or downtown Paradise (at the Whitefish Township School). Bus schedule will be available two weeks before the race. Due to the remote nature of the River Trail, runners must be self supported by carrying a 20 oz water bottle or other functional hydration system.

There are six aid stations located 4-5.4 miles apart: 4, 8.4, 12.8, 18.2, 22.6, and 27 miles. Aid stations are accessible by vehicle and are great locations for spectators to view the race.  Runners are required to carry a 20oz water bottle or functional hydration system that can be refilled.  Volunteers will have large pitchers with cold water and cold Gnarly Fuel2O energy drink with electrolytes to quickly refill your water bottle or hydration system. Hammer Energy Gels and Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes will be available at each aid station.

50K Aid Station Closing Times

Parking: Runners should park at the Upper Tahquamenon Falls parking lot (your finish line) or the Whitefish Township School in the town of Paradise. 

Shuttle: Runners bused to the start from your choice of the Upper Falls Parking Lot (Finish Area) or downtown Paradise (at the Whitefish Township School). Bus schedule will be available two weeks before the race.

NOTE: There are two separate entrances to the state park: Upper Falls and Lower Falls. Please be sure to go to the Lower Falls for Tahqua.

There will be a large tent near the start/finish area to store your gear.  Be sure to check this area for your belongings before you board the ferry boat back to the mainland.  If you do leave something on the island, it will be brought back to the ferry boat store on the mainland.  

Awards & Festival
All finishers completing their registered course will receive a commemorative award recognizing their accomplishment.

Podium awards will be given for
• Top 3 male and female finishers in each distance

Aravaipa will host the Aspen Backcountry Marathons in the same park as the annual fundraising event by the Rotary Club named the Duck Derby. This will include live music, food trucks, beverages, etc. Stick around and spend the day in Aspen!