The Pacific Crest Trail 50
(PCT 50)
May 10th, 2025
Cleveland National Forest, CA
The Pacific Crest Trail 50 is part
of the SoCal Ultra Grand Prix Series!
Dale's to Per’s Cabin (3.8 M mostly flat)
Leaving Dale's, the trail crosses a dirt road and then merges with the dirt road for fifty feet. Continue on the right of the road for about .5 mile. If you miss the PCT, the dirt road is actually just a few feet to the left of the trail, and they merge again in about 200 yards. You are now near a primitive campground on your left. Just before the gate ahead on the trail, there is a water fountain to the right, which may be capped for the winter. Several trails intersect here. Veer left and continue north on the PCT. Do not take one of the trails that go perpendicularly. The main trail continues north and then bends east on an open ridge. The trail turns west and then north. Just above you is Burnt Rancheria Campground. Continue north on the PCT past Burnt Rancheria Campground (rolling terrain mostly free of rocks) to the road. In less than a mile the trail merges with the Desert View Trail. The trail comes very close to the Desert View Lookout (look for a picnic table) where a pump for water is located by the large oak tree on the left side. The trail continues out onto a ledge area that provides great views of the desert to the east. The trail crosses two paved roads (no cars). About .25 mile after the second road crossing, you will reach a large pile of rocks on the right. Per’s Cabin Aid Station is just below on your left (elev. 5,900 feet).
Per’s to Penny Pines (5.2 M: 2.5M rolling, 1M down, 1.5M up through chaparral).
Leave the cabin and return to the PCT. The trail goes left, to the north. Very close to the road you will make a right onto a dirt road and then left in just a few yards, back onto a single-track trail. The trail now climbs through an open area of chaparral and then heads uphill over a wooden bridge toward the Al Bahr View Point. The trail veers right and then left where several small trails intersect. Look for PCT posts on the trail on the left (but heading north at the Y split). The trail gives you good views of the Borrego Desert to the right (east). Continue uphill back into the woods to a trailhead where you turn left, leaving the PCT for 100 yards, on an access trail that leads to the Penny Pines aid station located on the Sunrise Highway (elev. 5450).
Penny Pines to Turnaround (2.3M rolling).
You will head north once again on the PCT. After a short climb, the rolling terrain takes you to the turnaround point out on the trail. You will retrace your steps from that point to Penny Pines for aid. (Total out/back on this section: Penny Pines to Penny Pines: 4.6 miles.)
Elevation Profile
You will encounter 7,500 feet of elevation gain, with about 2,500 gain within the first part of the run. This makes for a very fast, downhill return (if your quads can take it!).
Course
Our business operates under permit on the Cleveland National Forest and add the “USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.”
This is an out-and-back course mostly on single track trail along the Pacific Crest Trail in east San Diego County. The trail features numerous climbs, particularly on the "out" portion, as well as some rocky sections. It begins at an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet, reaching 6,000 feet in the Laguna Mountains. (Note: routing is subject to final approval from the U.S. Forest Service.)
Boulder Oaks Campground to Fred Canyon Road (6.4 M mostly uphill)
From the start just outside Boulder Oaks campground, cross the road and follow the PCT. It soon (.5M) goes under the bridge for I-8, 200 feet above. The trail turns right, through a gate, along a ledge trail for about a mile, then back uphill to Kitchen Creek Road. Cross this paved road and go uphill for 2.4 miles on a rocky trail that gives great views to the east before emptying out into your first aid station.
Fred Canyon Road to Dale's (7.3 M uphill)
The next section is very long and uphill. Be sure to fill your bottles (2-3) before leaving the Fred Canyon aid station. Cross Fred Canyon Road and continue onto PCT. The single-track trail goes uphill on a rocky ridge. Run above Long Canyon before crossing a stream, now 5 miles from Fred Canyon Road. After crossing the small stream, you will go uphill on a switchback trail entering the Laguna Mountain area. The trail crosses Morris Ranch Road (dirt), where you will find aid at the Dale's Kitchen site.
Aid Stations!
AS 1 - Fred Canyon - will be captained by Coach Cass, from Run Ultra Strong. Show these guys some love on your way through!
AS2 - Dale's Kitchen - will be staffed by our super cool friends at the South Bay YMCA. These guys know how to set the tone and bring the party. Expect good things from them on your first pass through as well as on your way back to the finish line!
AS3 - Per's Cabin - A long standing tradition to use a community friend's cabin as aid station 3. Staffed this year by our good friends at SURF
AS4 - Penny Pines - The final aid station before the turnaround is staffed by our friends down south who know how to have a good time! They also have an ultramarathon in Mexico that is an absolute blast- check them out when you have a chance! They know how to do things right!
Early Start Option: If you are concerned about meeting the cut-off times, we will offer a 5:00 a.m. early start option. You must have flashlight or headlamp to start, as it will still be dark.
This is the 44th running of the PCT 50 mile trail run. Mostly along single track trail in the Cleveland National Forest, the out and back course offers spectacular scenery and challenge. Over 7500 feet of elevation gain, at altitudes ranging from 3000 to 6000 feet.
AID STATIONS:
Fully stocked aid stations at miles 6.4, 13.7, 17.5, 22.7, 27.3, 32.5, 36.3, and 43.6. In addition to the usual assortment of ultra fuel, we will have Tailwind at every aid station.
CREWS AND DROP BAGS:
Crews will only be permitted access to Penny Pines aid station. Drop bags must have runner's name and will be available at Penny Pines. (NOTE: Per’s Cabin is only accessible to crews via trail. Crews must park at Monument Peak Road and hike in @ 1/4 mile north along the PCT to the aid station or meet their runner where the PCT crosses Monument Peak Road. DO NOT DRIVE INTO PER’S CABIN.)
PACERS
Pacers will be allowed starting from the second pass through Penny Pines Aid Station (approximately mile 26.5 or 42.6km). There are no other crew access points on the return trip of the race, so your pacer will need to complete the remainder of the course with you if you elect to use a pacer during the event.
CUT-OFFS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS:
There will be a 13.5 hour cut-off to complete the run (3.7 MPH pace). This takes you through sunset. Additionally, there will be a 6 hour cut-off at Penny Pines (mile 23, first pass), an 8.5 hour cut-off enforced on the return trip through Per’s Cabin (mile 33) and an 11.5 hour cut-off on the return trip through Fred Canyon Road (mile 44). No exceptions. RD also reserves the right to pull lagging runners off the course at any time.
Anyone caught littering along the course will be disqualified and removed. Furthermore, Race Director reserves the right to disqualify and remove anyone behaving in an improper or unsafe manner.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
To start/finish line: Boulder Oaks campground is @ 1 hour east of downtown San Diego. Take I-8 East, exit Buckman Springs Road (this is the exit following Sunrise Highway exit). Turn right off exit ramp. Make quick left at stop sign onto Old Highway 80 and go east (parallel to I-8) about 1-2 miles to campground. Park completely off shoulder along Old Highway 80.
Crew access to Per’s/Penny Pines: Take Sunrise Highway north. Per’s Cabin is at mile marker 24.5. Penny Pines is at mile marker 27.5. Parking at aid station locations requires a National Forest Adventure Pass. Day use passes are available for $5 at local stores and at REI and A-16 locations. (Pass is not required when parking along Old Highway 80 near run start/finish.)
PLACES TO STAY:
Tiny House Block in Mt. Laguna. Visit their website at www.TinyHouseBlock.com or click here to go straight to their booking page to choose the tiny house that works for you! Mention PCT 50 and receive 10% off your stay!
Pine Valley Inn: 619-473-8560
Laguna Lodge: 619-473-8533, or www.lagunamountain.com
Camping:
Boulder Oaks Campground
Lake Morena Campground
PCT 50 Training Runs 2024
Training Run #1 - TBD at 7:00AM - This will be a 19 mile out and back from Red Tail Roost Trailhead to Cibbets Flat Campground and back. MEET HERE AT 7:00AM. Aid and snacks at the turnaround, drinks at the end! Please RSVP via Strava for an accurate headcount.
Training Run #2 - TBD at 7:00AM - This will be an 18 mile out and back from Red Tail Roost Trailhead to Penny Pines and back. MEET HERE AT 7:00AM. Aid and snacks at the turnaround, drinks and pizza at the end! Please RSVP via Strava for an accurate headcount.
Race Photos
EVENT PHOTOS
2022 Race Photos HERE - Provided by Ulysses Chan
2023 Race Photos HERE - Provided by Ulysses Chan
2024 Race Photos HERE - Provided by Stacey Cavaglieri
Our trails are proudly maintained by the volunteers at Trailfit, led by Ken Bonus. If you are looking for ways to give back, please consider volunteering for one of their trail work days.
You can also email Ken via the Trailfit website to report areas where trail work is needed.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT TRAILFIT
Race Agenda
Packet Pickup - Milestone Running Shop from May 4th through May 9th
Race Day Check In - May 11th from 4:30 AM to 6:00 AM
Early Start - 5:00 AM
Race Start - 6:00 AM
Cutoff 1: 12:00 PM at Penny Pines AS (Mile 23)
Cutoff 2: 2:30 PM at Per’s Cabin AS (Mile 33.6)
Cutoff 3: 5:30 PM at Fred Canyon AS (Mile 44)
Final Cutoff: 7:30 PM at Finish Line (Mile 50)
