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Directions and Instructions

Follow Orange Cones and White Arrows to Trailhead

Follow White Blazes And Signs On Trail

Train Properly & Watch Every Footfall

Count the Mountains Between Aid Stations

Start at Big Fork Community Center
  • Follow Highway 8 for 3/4 mile to County Road 38. Watch for traffic.
  • Turn right on County Road 38. This is the first road that is not a driveway. The turn will be marked with an orange cone or white arrows.
  • Follow County Road 38 for 1-1/2 miles to B15. There will be no markings along this road but B15 is the first road that is not a driveway.
  • Turn left on B15. The turn will be marked with an orange cone or white arrows. Follow B15 for 1/4 mile to trailhead.
  • Turn right and enter the ABF trail. The trail is very well marked with permanent white blazes on trees. There are also white arrows and "ABF" signs.
1 Mountain to 1st Aid Station at Little Mo. River

1st Mountain -- Missouri Mountain
  • Follow white blazes up and over Missouri Mountain.
  • Descend Missouri Mtn. & cross FR 25.
  • 1st aid station is before the Little Missouri River.
  • Check in at Little Missouri River aid station.
  • Cross river & TURN RIGHT & follow signs & white blazes.
  • After making a RIGHT TURN following river crossing, there is a quick left turn (marked with arrows) & head steeply up Hurricane Knob.
TURNING LEFT AFTER THE LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER TAKES YOU OFF THE COURSE!!! YOU MUST TURN RIGHT AFTER CROSSING THE LITTLE MISSOURI RIVER.

4 Mountains to 2nd Aid Station at Blaylock Creek

2nd Mountain -- Hurricane Knob / Spirit Rock
  • Crest Hurrican Knob & follow white blazes down to the valley.
  • Huge beech tree (with carvings in it) at campsite in valley.
  • Cross Straight Creek and follow white blazes.
  • Follow white blazes through valley and up McKinley Mountain.
3rd Mountain -- McKinley Mountain
  • After descending McKinley Mountain (beautiful views on a clear day),
  • You will enter a food plot.
  • Stay to the right side of the food plot.
  • Cross food plot & TURN RIGHT towards Long Creek.
  • Cross creek, TURN SLIGHTLY LEFT & go through steel gate.
  • Follow white blazes (white arrow on log) leading you to the gate.
  • Cross the second food plot & follow white blazes through valley.
  • Follow white blazes through the valley & then up Brier Creek Mountain.
PAY ATTENTION AT THIS INTERSECTION, YOU CAN GET OFF COURSE!!!

4th Mountain -- Brier Creek Mountain
  • Descending mountain & follow white blazes in valley.
  • Lengthy run through the valley along the creek.
  • Some parts of trail are in an old (and very rocky) dried creek bed.
  • Follow white blazes along Brier Creek.
  • The trail turns right & heads up Leader Mountain.
  • Follow white blazes up Leader Mountain.
5th Mountain -- Leader Mountain
  • After Leader Mountain, there is a nice flat run through the valley.
  • Blaylock Creek will be on your right.
  • Follow the white blazes until trail levels out at Blaylock Creek.
  • Cross Blaylock Creek & the trail turns right up a hill to FR 106.
  • Blaylock Creek aid station will be in the trailhead parking area.
  • Check in at Blaylock Creek Aid Station.
  • (This is the turnaround for the 17 mile fun run.)

  • Marathon runners continue south on the trail.
  • There is a 10:30 am cut off for marathons runners.

  • The trailhead continues on the opposite side of FR 106.
  • The trailhead is west of the parking area.
  • The trailhead continues on the south side of FR 106.
  • The trailhead is marked by a hiker sign post.
  • Follow white blazes over rolling hills and across a creek.
  • The trail turns right and heads very steeply up Brush Heap Mountain.
DO NOT GO DOWN FR 106 (EAST OR WEST). CROSS 106 AND GET BACK ON THE TRAIL. GOING DOWN FR 106 IN EITHER DIRECTION (EAST OR WEST) WILL TAKE YOU OFF THE TRAIL AND GET YOU LOST!!!

3 Mountains to the Turnaround Aid Station on B23F

6th Mountain -- Brush Heap Mountain (the longest and steepest climb)
  • After the brutal climb up the mountain, follow trail to and through valley.
  • This is a shallow valley (with beautiful scenery) between mountains.
  • Follow white blazes & cross the creek.
  • TURN LEFT after creek (signs and blazes mark turn).
  • Follow white blazes up Brushy Mountain.
PAY ATTENTION AT THIS INTERSECTION, YOU CAN GET OFF COURSE!!!

7th Mountain -- Brushy Mountain
  • Crest Brushy Mountain & follow white blazes into the valley.
  • In valley between Brushy & Big Tom Mountain.
  • TURN RIGHT on Viles Branch Horse Trail.
  • Cross Viles Branch Creek and go about 75 yards.
  • Then TURN LEFT up and over Big Tom Mountain.
  • Signs, white arrows, & white blazes mark these turns.
PAY ATTENTION AT THIS INTERSECTION, YOU CAN GET OFF COURSE!!!

8th Mountain -- Big Tom Mountain
  • Crest Big Tom Mountain and follow white blazes down the mountain.
  • Cross the small creek & turn left.
  • Parallel creek (which will be on your left) to the south trailhead.
  • TURN RIGHT on road (B23F) & proceed 1/2 mile to Turnaround Aid Station.
  • Check in at the Turnaround Aid Station.
  • Team Texarkana serves up hot soup & lots of food & drink!
NOW TURNAROUND AND GO BACK - THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT!

VERY IMPORTANT: When you finish be sure you sign out. If you leave the race for any reason let us know so we won't be searching for you. The search and rescue will be at your expense!