Beginning at 8am, runners will ascend the Thumb Open Space out and back trail. At the turnaround runners must collect 1 poker chip to bring back to the start and deposit in their assigned jar. At 4pm, poker chips will be counted to determine placing and a special award will be given to the winner. Unique patches will be awarded at 3 milestones: 14 ascents - Estes Park 7,522' 18 ascents - Deer Mountain 10,103' 26 ascents - Longs Peak 14,259' This race is limited to 40 participants.
The Thumb Open Space trail is a 1km out and back with 540ft of ascent. On May 26, 2021, the Town of Estes Park officially purchased 65 acres on the south side of Prospect Mountain for designation as the Thumb Open Space, which officially opens to public access on July 1, 2022. This newest Town-owned recreation area is named for the large, thumb-like rock outcrop on the southeastern side of the property. Users are reminded to please respect private property and refrain from leaving the marked public trail.
Dec 05, 2026
Distance — 8 Hours
Type — Running
08:00
$100.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for December in Estes Park.
Learn more about the host city, Estes Park.
Estes Park is a statutory town in southwestern Larimer County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 5,904 at the 2020 United States census. Estes Park is a part of the Fort Collins, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor. A popular summer resort and the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River. Landmarks include The Stanley Hotel and The Baldpate Inn. The town overlooks Lake Estes and Olympus Dam.
Read more launchAll-time top performances and historical records for Thumbs Up Vertical Challenge.
| Place | Name | Year | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Andrew Redden | '24 | 11240 | |
| 🥈 | Theja Putta | '24 | 11240 | |
| 🥉 | Russell Wolfe | '23 | 11802 | |
| 4 | Mason Wignall | '23 | 11802 | |
| 5 | Russell Wolfe | '24 | 11802 | |
| 6 | Mason Wignall | '24 | 11802 | |
| 7 | Shane Taylor | '25 | 11802 | |
| 8 | Devin Cann | '25 | 12364 | |
| 9 | Daniel Peterson | '23 | 12364 | |
| 10 | Jacob Klinker | '24 | 12364 |
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