First runners reach the Inspiration Point Aid Station (Mile 9.3) during the 2025 Angeles Crest 100. Photo: Paksit Photo.
The race begins at 5,945 feet in the Wrightwood Community Center parking lot. Runners head south with a view of Wright Mountain (home of the landslide), then quickly shift focus westward toward the 8,400-foot Blue Ridge, which they’ll soon climb and traverse en route to Inspiration Point.
From the start:
Turn right on Park Dr. and climb two blocks
Turn right on Apple Ave. and continue for 0.3 miles
Turn left on Acorn Dr., and continue uphill past private road signs until the pavement ends at 1.4 miles
The pavement transitions into a dirt fire road, which climbs for 0.3 miles to a signpost for Acorn Trail. Runners turn left onto the Acorn Trail singletrack and begin the main climb.
The Bridge Fire burned lightly on the lower half of the Acorn Trail but severely on the upper half. The trail crew has filled in most of the root ball holes, but watch your step, especially on the descent — which may happen in the dark.
At 3.4 miles and 2,200 feet of gain, runners reach the Pacific Crest Trail and turn right, heading northbound (toward Canada!) for the next 22.5 miles.
The top of Acorn burned to a moonscape in places, and the trail may be hard to follow — look for markers and stay alert. Purple poodle-dog bush is also starting to grow again near the summit. (Your Wrightwood Assistant RDs are personally committed to fighting it back.)
Runners roll past Guffy Campground (mile 4.5) and reach the section high point of 8,480 feet at mile 5.7. The trail winds westward along Blue Ridge, offering a golden sunrise and panoramic views of the Los Angeles Basin, Mojave Desert, and nearby peaks:
Pine Mountain and Mt. San Antonio to the south
Mt. Wilson far to the west
Mt. Baden-Powell to the northwest (mile 17)
⚠️ Trail Etiquette:
This is a sensitive area — please:
Stay on trail
Pack out all trash (including toilet paper)
Clean up after each other
Continuing west past Mountain High Ski Resort, runners approach the Blue Ridge Campground, nearly unrecognizable post-fire. The rebuilt trail skirts the piles of burned logs and stays left of the paved campground road.
From there, the course rolls downhill to Highway 2. After crossing the road, runners reach the Inspiration Point Aid Station at mile 9.3, elevation 7,400 feet.
When training on course, do not park beyond the private road signs on Acorn Dr. Upset homeowners can have your car towed — fees start at $800.
Hike anything on the Acorn climb that strains your breathing or burns your calves.
Expect to take 50–55 minutes to climb the 3.4 miles, despite the seemingly slow pace — it’s one of the steepest climbs on the course.
After the climb, good downhill terrain allows for quick, easy running into Inspiration Point, ideally by 6:55 AM.
To stay on 24-hour pace, runners typically average 12:22/mi to this point — faster than the overall race average of 14:22/mi.
The cutoff at Inspiration Point is 8:15 AM.
To make this cutoff, you need to average 20:58/mi for this section — slightly slower than the overall 33-hour average of 19:45/mi.
However, to stay safely ahead of future cutoffs, aim for a pace closer to 17:12/mi.
Arriving after 7:40 AM puts you at risk of missing later cutoffs.
Drive 3.5 miles to Big Pines Junction.
Follow signs toward La Cañada-Flintridge/Glendale, and continue 2 miles to the Inspiration Point Aid Station.
This is a mountain road — watch for fallen rocks and speeding vehicles.
Expect crowds — this is the first major aid station with lots of crew support.
Parking is available on both sides of Highway 2, but space is limited.
Crews may need to use roadside turnouts before or after the station.
Runners cross the highway at this checkpoint — please drive slowly and stay alert.
USFS pit toilets are available at the station.
🚨 All parked vehicles within a half-mile must display a valid Big Pines parking pass.
A Solo Division runner cools off with watermelon at the Inspiration Point Aid Station, Mile 9.3. 2024 AC100.
Photo: Victor Martinez.
Map by Marcus England, 2026 AC100 course revision.
