Rock the Loch Half Marathon Virtual Walkthrough 2022

#1-Turn RIGHT on Bass Cove off West Shore Trail (1.6 miles approx)

You’re cruising along West Shore Trail (paved) for roughly 1.6 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-TURN RIGHT ONTO BRANDON TRAIL OFF JACKSON GRADE (4.5 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
-Follow Brandon Trail across the stone bridge.

#5-Follow Brandon Trail to Aid Station #2 (mile 4.5-mile 7.6)

The Brandon Trail segment is the TOUGHEST portion of the entire course. There are numerous ascents/descents and there is some technical terrain. This segment spans just over three miles (4.5-7.6) and crosses numerous connecting trails (see below). This being said, there are NO TURNS on this segment. You’re simply following Brandon Trail.

Once you hit the second aid station (Brandon Trail @ Marciel Road-7.6 miles), you’ve got the toughest part of the race behind you! The remainder of the course is largely downhill and/or flat!

–Continue on Brandon past Cottontail Trail & Brandon/Cottontail Sign (4.9 miles)
–Continue on Brandon past Escondido Trail & Brandon/Escondido Sign (5.4 miles)
–Continue on Brandon past Deer Canyon Trail & Brandon/Deer Canyon Sign (5.8 miles)
–Continue on Brandon past Escondido Trail & Brandon/Escondido Sign (6.2 miles)

–Continue on Brandon past Loggers Loop & Brandon/Loggers Loop Sign (6.8 miles)
–Continue on Brandon past Mirador & Brandon/Mirador Sign (7 miles)
–Continue on Brandon past Two Rocks Trail & Brandon/Two Rocks Sign (7.2 miles)
–Continue on Brandon past Marciel Road & Brandon/Marciel Sign (7.6 miles)

#6-Follow Brandon Trail to Towhee Trail (mile 7.6-mile 7.8)

You’ll hit the aid station after crossing Marciel on Brandon Trail (*There is a restroom here). You’ll continue on Brandon for a short stretch until you hit Towhee Trail where you will take a SHARP RIGHT ONTO Towhee and continue towards Honker Bay Trail.

–Continue past aid station #2 @ Brandon/Marciel (7.6 miles)
–Take a SHARP RIGHT onto Towhee Trail off Brandon Trail & Brandon/Towhee Sign (7.8 miles)
–Continue on Towhee Trail towards Honker Bay Trail (7.8 miles)

#7-Continue on Towhee past Marciel Road crossing (8.6 miles approx)

After running on Towhee for about 3/4 of a mile, you will cross Marciel Road at a pedestrian crossing and continue on Towhee towards Honker Bay Trail.

–Continue on Towhee Trail past Marciel Road crossing (8.6 miles)

#8-Continue on Towhee to Honker Bay Trail (9.5 miles approx)

You’ll continue running Towhee Trail For just under a mile until it connects with Honker Bay Trail.

–Veer right and connect with Honker Bay Trail (9.4 miles)
–Continue on Honker Bay Trail towards aid station #3 (at Honker Bay @ Columbine) (9.5 miles)

#9–Follow Honker Bay to aid station #3 (9.8 miles at Columbine Trail) & continue on Honker Bay to Live Oak (11.2 miles).

1.5 miles after you reach the FINAL aid station, 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 RIGHT onto East Shore Trail.

There will be a course marshal at the intersection of Honker Bay @ Live Oak AND a course marshal on the other side of the suspension bridge.

-Right on Honker Bay at Live Oak
-Cross Suspension Bridge
-Right onto East Shore Trail & Trail Sign

#10-Continue on the paved portion of East Shore Trail to the finish line (11.5-13 miles)

You’ll run for roughly a 1/4 of a mile. At mile 11.5 (approx), East Shore Trail turns into a paved path. Follow the paved path to the finish line!

-Continue on East Shore Trail to the finish line!

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.

To be clear, we’re not sharing any of the above to intimidate you! We share the above to ensure that you’re well educated about what you’ve signed up for on 7/10.

Your SAFETY is PARAMOUNT to us. We also want to do whatever we can to make sure you have a positive experience on race day! 🙂

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