Click on the map here to bring up a larger copy.
The red line is the loop course. Start and finish are near the Meadow parking area. The teepee is an icon of the loop and is provided by the generosity of Tony and Judy Godino who have brought it and put it up for 26 straight loops, rain or shine.
UPDATE: new trails are featured in this 2010 update of the WPRR trail map: WPRezMap11x17.pdf. And here’s a WPRR trail map with the Loop course overlaid on top: http://smu.gs/IB3eQy. Some parts of the Loop course go off the marked trails… If you are not familiar with the course you should go with a guide, maybe on one of our Sunday Runs!
Some key natural features to expect during the loop are:
- The Meadow start – a thundering herd of humanity sprinting, running, jogging, and walking towards the entrance to the woods.
- “First Mud” – just inside the woods, runners encounter the first mud and/or wet. Don’t stop or slow down! Runners with prior loop experience will plow straight through knowing what is to come. Don’t forget to turn right at “Tommy’s Turn” or risk crossing the river an extra time!
- Single track trails – after about 1/2 mile on the Fox Hill trail near the river, the course veers of the marked trails and narrows considerably. Runners encounter large logs, stone walls, mud, and other steeplechase-like obstacles, making footing a challenge.
- First water crossing – come to a complete stop and don’t jump in, the bottom of the river is uneven with unseen rocks. Water height and strength can vary greatly from year to year.
- The boardwalks – the other side of the first water crossing gets soggy quickly from all of the runners dripping off. The boardwalks keep some feet above mud but between them can be slippery!
- Trail widening towards the Kimberly Bridge campground – a flat, wide section with a mild uphill and downhill before getting to the first of two paved portions of the loop. Don’t worry, it’s only a road crossing then back on the dirt…
- Fisherman’s Trail – on the other side of the road from Kimberly Bridge, this trail follows the river for a while then winds up and down a few hills.
- The old pit – the original loop course went up the sand hill called “The Pit” but the course was changed 10+ years ago to protect the threatened Rattlebox plant. The current course winds up the side of the pit after crossing a nearby meadow.
- Sullivan’s Surprise – in 2010 we added another water crossing just before the mud flats at the point where the Waccabuc River and the Stone Hill River join up to become the Cross River. The further to the right you go, the deeper the water. Watch out for a few big rocks and help your fellow runners get out of the river!
- The water stop – about halfway through the course on the closed portion of Boutonville Rd (near route 124) is the first and only water stop (and the second very brief paved portion of the loop). Take a swig and thank the volunteers before heading into…
- The mud flats – dedicated in 2008 as the Doug Gorman Memorial Mud Flats – this 1 km long single track stretch has varying amounts of mud from year to year. It varies from “a lot” to “where the heck are my shoes, socks, and thighs?”
- The Bridge and “Arsenault’s Alley” – Totally reconstructed by Loop founders Tony Godino and Dave Cope in the early 2000s, this bridge crosses the Waccabuc River. When you have made it this far you are approximately halfway done, but you must now face…
- The Wall – site of a former quarry, this 45 degree climb is an anaerobic challenge that seems to keep going up up up. Keep your footing and listen for the music.
- Deer Hollow – back to one of the main trails in the Rez (marked with a DH trail blaze). The trail heads downhill after The Wall and gets wider — wide enough to pass without any problems. Mud washouts appear from time to time in the spring. A steady climb up to the highest point in the loop.
- Pine Forest – bright trails under leafless trees (in the early spring) yield to a majestic pine grove. The pine needles provide a nice cushion for weary feet and legs on this speedy but single track portion of the course. Take a deep breath… you have hit the 3/4 mark of the loop.
- Switchback ”Cowgill’s Corner” and river run – coming out of the pine forest down the hill you come to a switchback portion of the trail. Down the hill you are going southeast then at the river intersection, you turn nearly 180 degrees to the northwest. We have seen runners miss the trail tape and forget to turn so check your speed here!
- Small pine forest with storm damage – in spring of 2007 the tornado that brought down the Meadow Oak also ripped through this pine grove. The park has cleared the trail but be sure to note the destructive power of nature to either side of the trail as well as the “Devil’s Walking Stick“ plants growing on the edge of the trail (don’t get too close!).
- Splashdown! - the final water crossing. In 2006 it had to be rerouted due to high water levels but for 25 other years this provided runners and spectators alike with a great (almost) ending to the loop. Runners go in muddy and sweaty and come out sparkling clean (not really)! A prime spot for photos and video for spectators – be courteous to others trying to get a shot too!
- The final stretch comes after splashdown and is around 250 yards to the finish line over rising meadow. Don’t stop until you are in…
- The finish chute – formerly at the site of the Meadow Oak, the finish is now marked by the sculpted giant fallen limbs of the 500 year old behemoth and the Leatherman flags. Don’t forget to get your pink flag!! Also there are bagels, fruit, coffee, and leatherman photo ops at the finish.
Download map of all trails at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation (updated in 2010 with new Rock Trail).
Recent Comments