Grade Profile Analysis
Terrain steepness breakdown for race planning and training preparation.
99.2
Total Miles
21,113
Feet Gain
45.3
Ascent Miles
53.2
Descent Miles
Grade Distribution
| Direction | Grade | Miles | Race % | Feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ↓ Down | 25%+ | 1.6 mi | 1.6% | 2,711 |
| ↓ Down | 15-25% | 4.5 mi | 4.5% | 4,431 |
| ↓ Down | 10-15% | 6.6 mi | 6.7% | 4,214 |
| ↓ Down | 5-10% | 13.4 mi | 13.5% | 5,088 |
| ↓ Down | 0-5% | 27.2 mi | 27.4% | 3,335 |
| ↑ Up | 0-5% | 18.3 mi | 18.4% | 2,318 |
| ↑ Up | 5-10% | 13 mi | 13.1% | 4,996 |
| ↑ Up | 10-15% | 7.2 mi | 7.3% | 4,594 |
| ↑ Up | 15-25% | 5.4 mi | 5.4% | 5,333 |
| ↑ Up | 25%+ | 1.4 mi | 1.4% | 2,372 |
Grade Bands
0-5%
Flat/Gentle
5-10%
Runnable
10-15%
Transition
15-25%
Power Hike
25%+
Steep
The Climbs
The course has 13 distinct climbs of 200 feet or more, but the race is defined by four big sustained climbs stacked back-to-back in the middle. Those four account for over half of the total elevation gain.
The Four Big Climbs (the crux)
| # | Miles | Gain | Avg Grade | Tops Out At |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21.8 → 26.9 | +2,730 ft | 10.1% | ~9,490 ft |
| 2 | 31.9 → 36.7 | +2,835 ft | 11.2% | ~10,000 ft |
| 3 | 43.4 → 50.2 | +3,545 ft | 9.9% | ~10,000 ft (high point) |
| 4 | 55.8 → 59.9 | +2,345 ft | 10.9% | ~9,390 ft |
All four are sustained ~10% grades — power-hiking terrain, not runnable. The biggest is the climb out of Halfmoon at mile 43.4: nearly 3,550 ft in under 7 miles up to the course's high point.
Shape of the Race
| Section | Miles | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Opener | 0–20 | One long gradual climb (+2,150 ft), then rolling. Bank time here. |
| The Crux | 22–60 | The four big climbs above. Where the race is won or lost. |
| The Tail | 60–99 | Smaller, punchier climbs, then a 12-mile descent to the finish. |
Need to Know
- • Steepest sustained pitch: mile 79.2–81.4 — a 1,620 ft climb at 13.6% average grade, when you're already 79 miles deep.
- • High point: ~10,000 ft, hit twice (mile ~37 and mile ~50) with a big descent into Halfmoon in between.
- • Finish: The last real climb tops out at mile 87.3. From there it's mostly downhill — ~3,200 ft of descent over the final 12 miles.
Climb data derived from the course's elevation stream (200 ft threshold to filter noise).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many big climbs are on the Crazy Mountain 100?
The Crazy Mountain 100 has 13 distinct climbs of 200 feet or more, but the race is defined by four sustained climbs stacked back-to-back in the middle (miles 22–60). Those four climbs each gain 2,300–3,550 feet at an average grade of about 10%, and together they account for over half the course's 21,000 feet of total elevation gain.
What is the biggest climb on the Crazy Mountain 100?
The biggest single climb on the Crazy Mountain 100 is the climb out of the Halfmoon aid station: 3,545 feet of gain over 6.8 miles (average grade 9.9%), topping out at the course high point of approximately 10,000 feet. It starts at mile 43.4 and crests at mile 50.2.
What is the steepest climb on the Crazy Mountain 100?
The steepest sustained climb is between miles 79.2 and 81.4: 1,620 feet of gain over 2.2 miles at an average grade of 13.6%. It comes when runners are already 79 miles into the race, making it one of the toughest moments on the course.
How much elevation gain is there between Halfmoon and Crandall on the Crazy Mountain 100?
The 27-mile stretch from Halfmoon (mile 43.4) to Crandall (mile 70.4) includes approximately 6,731 feet of gross elevation gain and 6,786 feet of loss, for a net change of −55 feet. The climbing is concentrated in two big climbs: a 3,545-foot climb out of Halfmoon and a 2,345-foot climb after Cow Camp.
What is the high point of the Crazy Mountain 100 course?
The high point of the Crazy Mountain 100 is approximately 10,000 feet. Runners hit this elevation twice during the race — once around mile 37 and again at mile 50 — with a significant descent into the Halfmoon aid station between the two summits.
How is grade calculated?
Grade is the ratio of elevation change to horizontal distance, expressed as a percentage. A 10% grade means 10 feet of rise for every 100 feet of horizontal distance.
How much of Crazy Mountain 100 is steep terrain?
The course has 6.8 miles of steep climbing (15%+) and 6.1 miles of steep descent.
What is a good climb rate target for Crazy Mountain 100?
With 21,113 feet of climbing and a 36-hour cutoff, you need to average roughly 640 ft/hr of vertical gain when climbing.