Rock the Loch Half Marathon Virtual Walkthrough
#1-Turn RIGHT on Bass Cove off West Shore Trail (1.7 miles approx)
You’re cruising along West Shore Trail (paved) for roughly 1.7 miles and then you reach Bass Cove Trail just after running across the dam. You’ll be turning RIGHT onto Bass Cove Trail. There are actually ‘2’ spots where one can turn right onto Bass Cove. You want to turn right at the SECOND SPOT. The following pics illustrate how to best tackle this turn.
-Bass Cove Trail ‘FALSE’ right turn
-Bass Cove Trail SECOND right turn
-Bass Cove Trail SECOND right turn detail
-Bass Cove Trail Signage
#2-Veer LEFT/UPHILL on Goldenrod Trail off Bass Cove Trail (2.7 miles approx)
One mile after turning onto Bass Cove, you’re veering left/uphill on Goldenrod Trail.
-Veer Left/Uphill on Goldenrod Trail Off Bass Cove Trail
-Goldenrod/Bass Cove Trail Signage
#3-Veer RIGHT/DOWNHILL on Jackson Grade (4.2 miles approx)
After cruising on Goldenrod Trail for about 1.3 miles, you’ll hit the first aid station at about mile 4. Roughly 200-300 meters later you will veer RIGHT/DOWNHILL on Jackson Grade.
-Veer Right/Downhill on Jackson Grade
-Continue on Jackson Grade
-Continue Right/Downhill on Jackson Grade
-Jackson Grade/Goldenrod Trail Signage
#4-HAIRPIN RIGHT TURN ONTO CASCADE TRAIL OFF JACKSON GRADE (4.6 miles approx)
After descending Jackson Grade for just under half a mile, you will encounter the TRICKIEST TURN OF THE ENTIRE RACE! We will have flagging tape, signage AND a course marshal at this spot. But, please make a mental note of this spot. It’s a very tricky/confusing intersection.
-Jackson Grade at Cascade Trail Map Image
-Hairpin Right onto Cascade Trail off Jackson Grade.
-Cascade Trail Signage
#5-Cascade Trail turns into Columbine (5.5 miles approx)
After cruising on Cascade for just under a mile, Cascade Trail turns into Columbine Trail. You don’t have to do anything other than continue straight on Columbine.
#6-LEFT onto Columbine towards Honker Bay (6 miles approx)
You’ll run just a 1/2 mile before you need to turn LEFT onto Columbine (at Bass Cove Trail).
-Left at Columbine (@ Bass Cove Trail)
-Columbine Trail Signage
-Columbine/Bass Cove Signage
#7-Continue STRAIGHT onto Columbine at Quail (6.9 miles approx)
You’ll run just under a mile before encountering the intersection of Columbine @ Quail. Simply go STRAIGHT and continue on Columbine.
-Columbine @ Quail
-Columbine/Quail Trail Signage
#8-Columbine Trail at Honker Bay (8 miles approx).
You’ll hit the SECOND aid station at Columbine @ Honker Bay Trail. Grab some aid and turn RIGHT/DOWNHILL on Honker Bay Trail!
-Columbine @ Honker Bay Trail
-Columbine/Honker Bay Detail
#8-Honker Bay @ Live Oak AND Suspension Bridge to Cameron Loop (9.6 miles approx).
After roughly 1.5 miles, you’ll hit the intersection of Honker Bay/Live Oak Trail. You’ll turn RIGHT at this intersection and head towards the suspension bridge. You’ll cross this bridge and then turn LEFT onto Cameron Loop!
There will be a course marshal at the intersection of Honker Bay @ Live OakAND a course marshal on the other side of the suspension bridge.
-Right on Honker Bay at Live Oak
-Cross Suspension Bridge
-Left on Cameron Loop
-Left on Cameron Loop after crossing the bridge
#9-Cameron Loop/Ten Hills intersection & Final Aid Station (10.4 miles approx).
After 3/4 of a mile, you’ll hit the intersection of Cameron Loop at Ten Hills Trail. The FINAL aid station is here! Grab some aid and take an immediate RIGHT and head DOWNHILL on Cameron Loop.
-Aid Station & turn RIGHT/DOWNHILL on Cameron Loop
-Right/Downhill on Cameron Loop
#10-Sharp LEFT on East Shore Trail off Cameron Loop (10.8 miles approx).
After just under 1/2 a mile, you’ll take a sharp LEFT on East Shore Trail and head towards the finish! You’re now officially in the home stretch. East Shore Trail is paved all the way back to the finish.
-Sharp LEFT on East Shore Trail off Cameron Loop
-Continue on East Shore Trail towards the finish!
#10.5-Take a RIGHT at the footbridge & FINISH in front of the Cove Picnic Area (12.5 miles approx)!
There’s one FINAL, RIGHT turn ‘just’ before the finish. You’re taking a right just prior to the WILLOW picnic area across a small footbridge and finishing in front of the COVE picnic area!
-Map of FINAL right turn to the finish!
Early start at 8:45 for those who need 3.5-4 hours to complete the Half.
If you think you need 3.5-4 hours to complete the half, please drop us a line at INFO@SASQUATCHRACING.COM and take advantage of the 8:45AM early start time! Otherwise, the half starts at 9:15AM.
We would generally NOT recommend tackling the half marathon if ANY/ALL of the following applies to you….
#1) This is your FIRST half marathon (road or trail).
#2) You’ve never run on the trails before.
#3) You’re not currently doing any kind of trail running.
#4) You don’t think you can complete the distance in FOUR hours.
We’re not sharing any of the above to frighten you. We share the above to ensure that you’re well educated about what you’ve signed up for next Sunday.
Your SAFETY is PARAMOUNT to us. We also want to do whatever we can to make sure you have a good time on Sunday! 🙂
If after reading the above you decide you’d rather tackle the 10K, no problem! Just drop us a line at INFO@SASQUATCHRACING.COM and we’ll take care of it!
Best,
-Marathon Matt & the Sasquatch Racing team