Events
Full Marathon
TSV Half Marathon
Northside Half Marathon
Description
Welcome to the 9th year of Bull of the Woods Trail Races in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico! In 2025, we are excited to host two different half marathon and one full marathon distances! The trail marathon and the TSV half marathon distance will take you to Kachina Peak at 12,481ft then you will continue on to the Northside half marathon course where you will climb Fraser Peak at 12,168ft! You will span the entire Taos Ski Valley on this course, truly giving you some much deserved trail-cred! The Northside half marathon will follow the previous years, primarily tight single-track course on Northside trail system, maximizing your trail-fun and big-trail-views. Keep reading 'Trail Beta' for more detailed course description.
Trail Beta
Bull of the Woods Trail Races are two separate half marathons and full marathon distance trail races that is designed to maximize your trail running experience on a primarily single-track course through alpine forests, meadows, and overlooks that will bring out your inner joy and keep you smiling all the way home. This is high-country mountain running at its best, starting at about 10,000 ft with ascents to 12,163 ft Fraser Peak(half marathon 2/marathon course) and 12,481 ft Kachina Peak(half marathon 1/marathon course). Your senses will be on overdrive as you take in views of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness, La-Cal Basin, Lobo Peak, Gold Hill and the Queen herself Wheeler Peak.
For the Kachina Peak Marathon/half marathon 1 course, a 'sky'-style high-alpine course, you will start on the incredible Taos Ski Valley Ski Resort to climb, at times 'hands-on-knees' to the spectacular 12,481 ft Kachina Peak! Here, take a minute to gaze the entire Wheeler Peak Wilderness "Cirque" encompassing 7 peaks over 12,000+ ft. Your fun will be maxed out with over 7,000 feet of climbing - and what goes up, must come down! Start your rowdy ridge descent down Highline and West Basin Ridges, made popular during the winter season, to the finish of the half marathon 1 course. For the full marathoners, you will then refuel at the base and cross over to the jaw-dropping scenery and pristine single track of Northside Trails System. Here, make your way to Fraser Peak 12,163 ft and gaze across the valley to where you once were - Kachina Peak! From here, it's all fast descending, winding, secluded single track and maximum fun to the finish. At the finish, you'll have the satisfaction of having enjoyed the best trails and views of Northern New Mexico!
Keep scrolling down for more in-depth descriptions.
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2017 Race video by AdventurePRO magazine, premier adventure publication in the Southwest:
http://adventurepro.us/mountain-running-grows-in-taos/
http://adventurepro.us/running-wild/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=2kIkjw2Itoo
Trail Runner Magazine article:
https://trailrunnermag.com/people/culture/five-trail-races-you-probably-dont-know-about-but-should.html
Check out the Inaugural year 2016 race write up in Mountain Magazine-Online
http://www.mountainonline.com/trail-running-taos/
also, Taos voted Top 8 Adventure towns by Outside Magazine:
https://www.outsideonline.com/2105956/best-places-live-us-2016.
Want to Volunteer?
Volunteers will be coordinated by the Enchanted Circle Trails Association (ECTA) and a portion of the event proceeds support ECTA's efforts to develop, maintain, and promote trails regionally.
Email events@enchantedcircletrails.org to sign up or get more information, or message us via facebook https://www.facebook.com/EnchantedCircleTrailAssociation
Course Descriptions
Taos Ski Valley Half Marathon
Segment 1: Base of Chair 1 to Base of Chair 7 (2.1 miles, 1100' ascent)
This initial segment marks both the start and finish of the course, and it is the only section that is repeated as an out-and-back. Starting at the base of Chair 1, you'll run up along the Rubezal Return Trail until reaching the old "Bermanator" bike trail at the exit of Longhorn. From three, you'll encounter a steep uphill push through Longhorn and Ernie's, followed by traversing into the technical single track along the "Minnesota Bench." As you reach Lorelei Road, you'll find the first Aid Station (Orange). This challenging, technical section covers the first and last 2.1 miles of the TSV Half Marathon, gaining approximately 1,100 feet of elevation.
Segment 2: Base of Chair 7 to Base of Chair 12 (1.4 miles, 800' ascent)
This stretch offers a more flowy experience. From the Aid Station (Orange), continue down Lorelei Road toward the base of Chair 7, staying in the designated lane above the construction zone. You'll merge onto the "Very Gneiss" bike trail, following the single track until it meets Winkelreid. From there, you'll follow various service roads through Patton, Shalako, and Easy Trip, covering approximately 1.4 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain, leading you to the base of Chair 12. This section predominantly features single track bike trails and dirt roads with generally straighforward route-finding.
Segment 3: The Alpine (1.9 miles, 1300' ascent, 700' descent)
This 1.9 mile section involves 1,300 feet of steep, rocky, and technical climbing starting at Chair 12. You'll ascend through Prime Real Estate and Main Street to reach the 12,481-foot summit of Kachina Peak. Take in the breathtaking views of Wheeler Peak Wilderness as you reach the top. After summiting, pass through the Aid Station (Yellow) and begin descending the Kachina Ridgeline toward Cabin Chute, traversing up the Highline Ridge toward West Basin. This alpine segment offers stunning vistas, high elevation, and a demanding climb. While the course is well-marked, careful route-finding is essential to naigate the rugged terrain.
Segment 4: The Downhill (1.4 miles, 1200' descent)
After crossing the "Y," which splits the Highline Ridge and West Basin, you'll traverse along the West Basin Ridge, reaching High Somewhere. From here, you'll join the well-defined Sheepherders Trail and descend via the Wild West - one of Taos Ski Valley's best gladed tree ski runs. The Sheepherders Trail leads you out of the Wild West, across Lower Stauffenberg and Whitefeather, ultimately arriving at the Hannes Schneider ski run. This 1.4 mile downhill section descends approximately 1,200 feet, offering a thrilling and scenic descent.
Segment 5: Back Up 'n' Over (2.75 miles, 1100' ascent, 900' descent)
After the sustained downhill, prepare for one more steep climb. You'll ascend Hannes Schneider to a bench, then turn right onto the old "Bermantor" trail - Taos Ski Valley's original bike trail. Follow this trail to the top of Al's Run, then follow the roads around Chair 1 to the top of High Five. Continue along a series of roads and trails into the West Basin, connect onto the Old Camino Sinuoso Road at the bottom of St. Bernard, and follow Camino upward to Lorelei. From there, you'll traverse along the ridgeline toward Pierre's before returning into Lorelei, where you'll descend back down Lorelei Road to you last on course Aid Station (Orange). This segment covers approximately 2.75 miles with 1,100 feet of climbing and 900 feet of descent.
Segment 6: Back to the Base of Chair 1 (2.1 miles, 1100' descent)
Remember climbing up this section at the start of the race? Now it's time to go back down. For the half marathon, this marks the final stretch - just 2.1 miles of descent, dropping 1,100 feet back along the Rubezal Return Trail to the finish line. If you're running the full marathon, congratulations - you're nearly halfway there! After the last Aid Station (Orange), you'll descend the ramaing miles, rejoing the trail you started on, and finish by diverting into Pioneer's Trail, heading toward the finish line.
Northside Half Marathon
Full course description coming soon!
Full Marathon
The full marathon course starts with the Taos Ski Valley Half Marathon and then proceeds over to the Northside Half Marathon, full a full 26 miler! Read both descriptions for full description of the course.
Place
Taos Ski Valley, NM US 87525
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at http://skitaos.com/calendar.
