As an apt follow-up to the monster Winter Creek climb, Idlehour Canyon becomes the Bermuda Triangle of the course. The net uphill push through two canyons seems at moments to be never-ending. Leaving Idlehour on the footbridge, the trail climbs for 0.4 miles to a saddle before diving down narrow singletrack to Idlehour Campground, 1.7 miles PAS. After numerous stream crossings and climbing 900’ in 1.6 miles, runners exit the first canyon. From there, it’s a short 0.2-mile descent to another stream crossing, followed by the final 2.1 miles, 1100’ ascent to the aid station on the saddle – Sam Merrill, mile 89.9, elevation 4,483’. Watch for dead, overgrown poodle-dog bush on the last half mile.