⚠️ 2026 AC100 Course Update & Hwy 2 Closures
The 2025/2026 Winter Storm caused significant damage to Hwy 2 in two key areas:
- Between Vincent Gap and Islip Saddle
- Near Mt Waterman Ski Area
As a result, Hwy 2 is currently closed:
- Between Three Points and Cloudburst
- At Big Pines near Wrightwood
🚫 You cannot drive from La Canada to Wrightwood via Hwy 2.
✅ However, Wrightwood remains accessible from the east via Hwy 138/2.
🏁 Race Format Change – Start & Finish in Altadena
Due to these closures, the 2026 AC100 will not be a point-to-point race.
👉 This year’s race will Start and Finish at Loma Alta Park in Altadena —
the first time in race history we will start in Altadena.
In past reroutes, we always started in Wrightwood. However, the Mt Waterman damage and extended Hwy 2 closures make that impossible this year.
While we’ve managed closures before (typically between Vincent Gap and Islip Saddle),
this year presents a much larger challenge.
📜 Historical Context
From 1986 to 2006, the race experienced:
- No Hwy 2 closures
- No forest fire disruptions
In contrast, the past 20 years have brought:
- 🔥 Forest fires
- 🌧️ Storm-related Hwy 2 damage
🗺️ 2026 Course Overview
The 2026 AC100 Course/Profile and updated Cut Off Table are now available on the website.
Outbound Route:
- Loma Alta Park → Clear Creek → Mt Josephine → Red Box → Newcomb → Shortcut → Chilao
- 🔁 Turnaround at Mt Hillyer
Return Route:
- Mt Hillyer → Chilao → Shortcut → Newcomb → Chantry → Mt Wilson → Sam Merrill → Millard → Loma Alta Park
⚠️ Note: Hwy 2 remains closed between Three Points and Cloudburst
🚧 After Chantry, the course avoids the Eaton Fire Closure Area
(created by the 2025 Eaton Fire) via:
- Eaton Saddle tunnel
- Chaney Truck Road
🛠️ Overcoming This Year’s Challenges
Despite major obstacles, we’ve secured a viable course thanks to:
- ✅ Access to Mt Hillyer
- ✅ Reopening of Chantry
- ✅ A safe reroute around the Eaton Fire closure
- ✅ Loma Alta Park accommodating both Start and Finish
🌿 Trail Work & Preparation
With winter behind us and the course holding up well:
- 📅 Trail Work begins in April
- 🚶 Trails are expected to be in good condition due to regular use
- 🏁 Trail prep will likely be completed by May
We are now officially moving into race setup mode — and look forward to a successful 2026 AC100!