Course Navigation
On race day, we recommend you have at least one of these navigation aids handy to help you find your way!
- Course loaded on GPS watch. Download the route from RideWithGPS or Strava
- For Garmin users, download the route GPX/FIT/TCX file import the file in Garmin Connect, and send to device
- For COROS users, download the course as a .GPX file and follow these instructions
- Course loaded on phone in your favorite navigation app, such as Strava, RideWithGPS, Organic Maps, Garmin Connect App, COROS app, etc
- Turn-by-turn instructions printed out as a cue card
All courses will be marked with marking ribbon, but we ask that you review the course ahead of time. Please note that there are also markings for the Rowdy Dawg mountain bike race all around Pandapas Pond, as that takes place the day after the Brush Mountain Breakdown. The Rowdy Dawg markings should be ignored - only the marking ribbons and signs with "Brush Mountain Breakdown" are to be followed!
12-mile Course
**COURSE UPDATED**: The 12-mile course has been altered for 2026 to improve safety and move 2-way traffic to a wider section of Poverty Creek trail. We've removed the Jacobs Ladder descent, instead following the 7-mile course down Snake Root. Aid Station 2 and 4 are now at the gate on Poverty Creek trail at miles 5.4 and 10.5, respectively.
Distance: 12.4 miles / 20 km || Elevation gain: 1,723 ft / 525 m
Turn-by-turn directions:
- Mile 0.0: Begin at the east end of the upper parking lot on Horse Nettle (blue blaze)
- Mile 0.3: Turn left to continue on Horse Nettle trail.
- Mile 1.4: Turn right onto the gravel road to continue on Horse Nettle.
- Mile 1.5: Bear left onto Running Cedar trail.
- Mile 2.3: Continue onto the gravel road.
- Mile 2.5: AID STATION 1 (full service). Continue on Horse Nettle trail, now singletrack.
- Mile 2.8: Turn right down Snake Root trail (white blaze).
- Mile 5.0: Turn left onto Poverty Creek trail (red blaze). (Diverge from the 7-mile route. A volunteer will be directing runners.)
- Mile 5.4: AID STATION 2 (full service). Continue on Poverty Creek.
- Mile 7.7: Cross the Forest Service road to AID STATION 3 (water only).
- Mile 7.8: Turn right on Trillium trail (white blaze)
- Mile 8.8: Bear left onto Skull Cap trail (blue blaze).
- Mile 9.6: Bear right to continue on Skull Cap. Do not continue straight or make a hard right turn.
- Mile 10.1: Turn left on Queen Anne trail (yellow blaze).
- Mile 10.3: Turn left onto the Forest Service road.
- Mile 10.5: Turn right towards the Poverty Creek gate and AID STATION 4 (full service).
- Mile 10.6: Turn left onto Poverty Creek trail (red blaze). Follow Poverty Creek to the finish!
Download the route to your device! Click View on Strava above, or use Ride With GPS:
12-Mile Course (Ride With GPS)
Click Send to Device and select your preferred navigation option.
7-mile Course
Distance: 6.4 miles / 10.3 km || Elevation gain: 1,040 ft / 317 m
Turn-by-turn directions:
- Mile 0.0: Begin at the east end of the upper parking lot on Horse Nettle (blue blaze)
- Mile 0.3: Turn left to continue on Horse Nettle trail.
- Mile 1.4: Turn right onto the gravel road to continue on Horse Nettle.
- Mile 1.5: Bear left onto Running Cedar trail.
- Mile 2.3: Continue onto the gravel road.
- Mile 2.5: AID STATION (full service). Continue on Horse Nettle trail, now singletrack.
- Mile 2.8: Turn right down Snake Root trail.
- Mile 5.0: Turn right onto Poverty Creek trail. (Diverge from the 12-mile route. A volunteer will be directing runners.)
- Follow Poverty Creek to the finish!
Download the route to your device! Click View on Strava above, or use Ride With GPS:
Click Send to Device and select your preferred navigation option.
5k Course
Distance: 3.2 miles / 5.1 km || Elevation gain: 516 ft / 157 m
Turn-by-turn directions:
- Mile 0.0: Begin at the east end of the upper parking lot on Horse Nettle (blue blaze)
- Mile 0.3: Turn left to continue on Horse Nettle trail.
- Mile 0.8: Turn right onto Joe Pye trail.
- Mile 1.0: Turn left to continue on Joe Pye.
- Mile 2.4: Turn right onto Poverty Creek trail.
- Follow Poverty Creek to the finish!
Download the route to your device! Click View on Strava above, or use Ride With GPS:
Click Send to Device and select your preferred navigation option.
