The Bear 100 (Logan, UT)
The Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run
Logan, UT → Garden City, UT (Bear Lake; new 2026 finish, formerly Fish Haven, ID)
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run is a point-to-point mountain ultra that travels 161 km through the Bear River Range of northern Utah, starting at the East Canyon trailhead in Logan and finishing at Garden City on the shores of Bear Lake. For 2026, the race introduces a redesigned finish routing runners through two new checkpoints — Peter Sinks and Burnt Fork — before dropping into Garden City, replacing the former Fish Haven, ID finish. The course threads through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in the Wasatch Range, connecting high ridgelines, deep canyon drainages, and dense conifer forest with very little flat running. With a Saturday 18:00 finish cut-off at Bear Lake, runners have roughly 36 hours to complete the full 161 km, demanding careful pacing and disciplined execution from the first step out of Logan.
Course & Terrain Overview
The Bear 100 is a relentlessly varied point-to-point course that rarely lets you settle into a rhythm. From the East Canyon trailhead in Logan you immediately climb into the Bear River Range, hitting Logan Peak at 16.9 km before dropping into the first crew access at Leatham Hollow (31.5 km). The course then alternates between steep canyon climbs and technical ridge traverses through Cowley Canyon (48.1 km), Right Hand Fork (59.4 km), Temple Fork (72.7 km), and the popular Tony Grove area (83.3 km) — a stretch of roughly 55 km in the middle of the race where the terrain is unrelenting and crew access comes roughly every 10–15 km. Beyond Franklin Basin (99 km) the course crosses the Logan River drainage (111.8 km), passes Beaver Mountain Lodge (122.1 km), and then enters the new 2026 territory via Peter Sinks (136 km) and Burnt Fork (149 km) before the final descent into Garden City at 161 km. Trail surfaces range from rocky singletrack and rooted forest path to open ridgeline and grassy meadow — technical footing is required throughout.
Decisive Sections: Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The opening 17 km to Logan Peak sets the tone: this climb is long, sustained, and arrives before your legs are even warm. Going out too hard here will cost you dearly by the time you reach the back half of the course. The middle section from Temple Fork to Franklin Basin — roughly 72.7 km to 99 km — is widely regarded as the most mentally and physically demanding stretch. It comes in the dead of night for most runners, involves multiple significant elevation changes, and is followed immediately by the Logan River crossing and the long pull up toward Beaver Mountain. The new 2026 routing from Beaver Mountain Lodge through Peter Sinks (136 km) and Burnt Fork (149 km) adds a final challenging 27 km before the finish, meaning runners cannot afford to blow up early and hope to survive on momentum alone. The finish cut-off is Saturday at 18:00, so any time lost in the canyons between km 50 and 100 must be accounted for.
Pacing Strategy
With 13 checkpoints spread across 161 km, the Bear 100 rewards runners who treat the first 80 km as the setup and the second 80 km as the race. The gap between Tony Grove (83.3 km) and the finish is where most runners either hold together or unravel. A conservative approach to the Logan Peak climb and through the Cowley Canyon and Right Hand Fork sections allows you to bank physical and mental reserves for the back half. Aim to arrive at Franklin Basin (99 km) still running strong rather than already in survival mode. The final 25 km from Burnt Fork into Garden City should include a decent amount of runnable trail; if you have fuel in the tank, this is where you can make up time. Crew access at nearly every major checkpoint (Leatham Hollow, Cowley Canyon, Right Hand Fork, Temple Fork, Tony Grove, Franklin Basin, Beaver Mountain Lodge, and the finish) means you can dial in your gear and nutrition in real time — use this advantage and don't carry more than you need between access points.
Fueling & Aid Station Approach
The checkpoint spacing on the Bear 100 is generous by hundred-mile standards, with crew-accessible stops roughly every 10–15 km through the bulk of the course. This means you can run with a lighter pack and top up calories, fluid, and gear at each crew point rather than hauling large reserves. That said, the sections around Logan River (111.8 km) and the new Peter Sinks checkpoint (136 km) are non-crew stops, so plan your carries accordingly for those legs. Night running dominates for the majority of the field through the canyon sections between approximately km 50 and 110, which suppresses appetite — make a deliberate effort to eat even when you don't feel hungry. Prioritize calorie-dense, easily digestible foods that you know work for you in cold conditions. Hydration needs will vary significantly with temperature swings between exposed ridgelines and sheltered canyon floors.
Conditions & What to Expect
The Bear 100 is held in late September in the Bear River Range, and conditions can shift dramatically over a 30-plus-hour effort. Daytime temperatures on exposed ridgelines can be pleasant and mild, but overnight lows in the canyons and at elevation regularly drop to near or below freezing, particularly at sites like Peter Sinks — a natural cold-air drainage basin that is one of the coldest spots in Utah and infamous for early-season frost. Come prepared for temperatures swings of 20°C or more between day and night. Snow on the upper ridgelines is possible, especially in the new 2026 sections above 2,000 m, and afternoon thunderstorms are a legitimate risk on exposed terrain in the early part of the course. Mandatory gear requirements should be treated seriously: a quality insulated layer, waterproof shell, and reliable headlamp with backup are non-negotiable for the overnight sections. Trail conditions underfoot can go from dry and dusty to muddy and slippery quickly after any precipitation, so trail shoes with good grip across mixed terrain are strongly advised.
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✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 1479 m · Fri 06:00
16.1 km · 2702 m · Fri 10:00
32.2 km · 1567 m · Fri 13:00
46.7 km · 2283 m · Fri 16:30
61.1 km · 1692 m · Fri 19:30
74 km · 1779 m · Fri 22:30
83.7 km · 2432 m · Sat 01:00
99.8 km · 2047 m · Sat 05:30
113.5 km · 2219 m · Sat 09:00
123.1 km · 2215 m · Sat 11:00
133.6 km · 2512 m · Sat 13:30
148.1 km · 2352 m · Sat 16:15
160.9 km · 1820 m · Sat 18:00
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