ELK FALLS 2027

ELK FALLS 14 / 6: $95 / $75 now, rising to $155 / $125 by August 15, 2027.

Date: Saturday, September 18, 2027

Location: Staunton State Park, Colorado

Distance: 6 miles | 14 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,225 ft | 2,628 ft

Categories: Runner | Light 10 lbs | Heavy 25 lbs

MISSION

Choose a distance and a category: Runner with no required weight, Light with 10 lbs dry or Heavy with 25 lbs dry. Pass and Dog Tag times are the same for all three categories.

ELK FALLS 6

6 miles (+/-) with about 1,225 ft of climbing.

Pass: Under 3 hours (about 30:00 per mile).

Dog Tag: Under 2 hours (about 20:00 per mile).

ELK FALLS 14

14 miles (+/-) with about 2,628 ft of climbing.

Pass: Under 5 hours 30 minutes (about 23:34 per mile).

Dog Tag: Under 4 hours 30 minutes (about 19:17 per mile).

AWARDS

Dog Tag: Finish inside the Dog Tag time for your distance to earn the ELK FALLS Dog Tag.

Pass: Finish inside the pass time for an official ELK FALLS completion.

Outside the pass time: A handshake and a hug.

EXECUTION

Brief: 0730 at Staunton State Park, Upper Parking Lot. Mandatory. No late starts.

Step off: 0800 sharp.

Start and finish: Staunton State Park Upper Parking Lot.

Route: Both routes start and finish at Staunton State Park. Complete the route you entered.

Navigation: Download your AllTrails route for offline use before the event: ELK FALLS 6 | ELK FALLS 14.

Checkpoints: None. You are responsible for staying on your route and carrying everything you need to complete it safely.

SITUATION

Staunton State Park, Colorado, less than an hour from Denver: mountain trails, open meadows, granite formations and high-altitude terrain.

Both routes run above 8,000 ft. The 6-mile route climbs about 1,225 ft. The 14-mile route climbs more than 2,600 ft and reaches about 9,500 ft.

PREPARE

Work out the pace you need against the pass and Dog Tag times with the Pace Planner. Prepare covers dry weight, ways to make ruck weight and downloading AllTrails routes.

EQUIPMENT

Load: Runner carries no required weight. Light carries 10 lbs dry and Heavy 25 lbs dry, in a ruck. No weighted vests or sandbags.

Water: Carry enough for your distance plus an emergency reserve. Bottled water at the finish only.

Rations: Minimum 3 bars and 0.5 L water as an emergency reserve. Carry enough nutrition for your route.

Medical: Personal kit required. Disclose medical conditions to GBF staff before the start. Staff may withdraw candidates considered medically unfit to continue.

Withdrawal: Contact GBF staff and follow their instructions. Extraction may be delayed depending on location and terrain.

Kit list: Standard GBF kit. See the GBF Standard Equipment List (PDF).

SAFETY AND RULES

Altitude: About 9,300 ft on ELK FALLS 6 and 9,500 ft on ELK FALLS 14. If you live at lower elevation, plan for the effect of altitude on performance.

Conditions: Mountain weather changes fast. Prepare for changes in temperature, wind and precipitation.

Terrain: Sustained climbing and descending, uneven trail, rocks and potentially difficult footing.

Navigation: Have your AllTrails route downloaded and available offline before you start.

• Required Light and Heavy weight is carried dry at all times.

• Weight cannot be disposable items such as water, food, stones or anything meant to be used or discarded.

• Candidates are solo and self-sufficient. No outside assistance while on course unless directed by GBF staff.

• Follow your selected ELK FALLS route.

• No switching to a shorter route after starting to record a finish.

• No vehicle or other transport may be used to gain an advantage.

• Finish within the pass time for your distance to record an official ELK FALLS completion.

ADMIN

Cancellations: GBF voucher only. Request it 30 or more days before the event. Vouchers are valid for one year.

Event changes: Route and timing remain at staff discretion.

Contact: info@GreenBeretFitness.com

TICKETS

To March 14, 2027: $95 / $75

From March 15, 2027: $115 / $90

From June 15, 2027: $135 / $107

From August 15, 2027: $155 / $125

Prices shown as ELK FALLS 14 / ELK FALLS 6. Runner, Light and Heavy pay the same within each distance.

Prices rise at 11:55 PM Eastern Time on the day before each date shown.

NEXT ON THE PATH

From ELK FALLS, the next rung is INYO, GBF's destination event in the Eastern Sierra, usually in August (INYO 2027 runs Saturday, August 21). The other entry events are FAN DANCE 2027 on Saturday, March 13, and BIGFOOT 2027 on Saturday, June 19.