Two Hearted Trail Run

Remote. Wild. Lake Superior bluffs. 80% single‑track. The Two Hearted Trail Run returns to Paradise, Michigan, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, starting at Muskallonge State Park. Choose 50k, marathon, or half marathon. The course winds through old‑growth white pine forest, along the shores of Culhane Lake and the Little Two Hearted River, and atop high bluffs overlooking Lake Superior — the same rugged coastline that captured Ernest Hemingway's imagination in "The Big Two‑Hearted River." Finish at Upper Tahquamenon Falls, the second highest waterfall east of the Mississippi. Camp 33 Brew Pub is 200 meters from the finish line. Operated by Aravaipa Running (since 2026).

Hemingway's Two Hearted:

• Ernest Hemingway's "The Big Two‑Hearted River" (1925) follows protagonist Nick Adams as he returns from war to fish the remote rivers of the Upper Peninsula
• The story is a meditation on healing, solitude, and the power of wild places
• The Two Hearted River and its surrounding wilderness are fictionalized but based on Hemingway's own fishing trips to the U.P.
• Running this course is a journey into the same landscape that inspired one of America's great literary works

Location — Paradise, Michigan, Upper Peninsula:

• Muskallonge State Park, on the shores of Lake Superior between Grand Marais and Whitefish Point
• One of the most remarkable stretches of shoreline in the entire Lake Superior basin
• High bluffs, intimate shoreline forests, inland lakes, old‑growth white pine
• Remote — the nearest town of any size is Newberry, 30 miles south. Paradise is a small unincorporated community with a general store and not much else
• Wildlife: black bear, moose, wolves, bald eagles, loons, and countless deer

Course — 80% Single‑Track, 20% Dirt Forest Road / Two‑Track:

• 50k and marathon follow the rugged Lake Superior coastline on single‑track bluffs
• Inland sections along Culhane Lake and the Little Two Hearted River
• Half marathon loop through old‑growth white pine forest and along the ridge on Clark Lake's southern shore
• All races finish at Upper Tahquamenon Falls — 50 ft high, 200 ft wide, the second highest waterfall east of the Mississippi (Niagara Falls is higher, but Tahquamenon is wider)

Finish Line — Upper Tahquamenon Falls & Camp 33 Brew Pub:

• Upper Tahquamenon Falls is the crown jewel of Tahquamenon Falls State Park
• The water is amber‑colored from tannins leached from upstream cedar and hemlock swamps — locals call it "root beer falls"
• Camp 33 Brew Pub is located 200 meters from the finish line. Post‑race beer (or root beer) and food available
• Finish line spectators can watch runners emerge from the forest and cross the falls viewing area

Great Lakes Endurance — Now Aravaipa Running:

• Founded by local trail runner Jeff Crumbaugh in 2000
• As of the 2026 season, the events will be operated by Aravaipa Running
• Aravaipa is a well‑known trail race production company based in Arizona, now expanding into the Great Lakes region

What's Included:

• Chip timing
• Finisher medal
• Event shirt (technical fabric)
• Aid stations with water, electrolyte, and typical ultra fare
• Medical support on course
• Bag drop at start/finish
• Post‑race access to Camp 33 Brew Pub (food and drink for purchase)

Logistics:

• Parking available at Muskallonge State Park (arrive early — limited spaces)
• No public transport — drive required. Paradise is 1 hour north of Newberry, 2 hours from Sault Ste. Marie, 4 hours from Marquette
• Accommodation: limited. Book months in advance — cabins, campgrounds, and motels in Paradise, Newberry, and Grand Marais fill up quickly for June (peak tourist season in the U.P.)
• Bib pickup: race morning at start/finish (check event website for times)
• No dogs allowed on course (state park regulations and wildlife concerns)
• Strollers not recommended on 80% single‑track technical trails
• Black bear and moose are present — do not approach wildlife. Carry bear spray (check race rules — not mandatory but wise)

Weather & Preparedness:

• June in the Upper Peninsula: average high 70‑75°F, low 45‑50°F. Cooler near Lake Superior.
• Rain is possible — bring a waterproof jacket.
• Mosquitoes and black flies can be intense in June — bring repellent.

Top Performances (50k Men — note: 50k results not shown, only half/marathon? The listed results appear to be from other distances — check race website for 50k records)

Organizer: Great Lakes Endurance / Aravaipa Running.