Leadville Trail 100 MTB Course Rerouted for 2026 After Willow Fire

The Willow Fire, which ignited on June 28 in the Colorado mountains, burned more than 7,000 acres and forced the cancellation of the Silver Rush 50 weekend and a stage race earlier in the season. Because the blaze damaged key sections of the historic Leadville Trail 100 mountain‑bike race—specifically Hagerman Pass Road, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Powerline descent—organisers with Life Time announced a revised 2026 route. The new out‑and‑back course is 102.1 mi long with 9,916 ft of climbing, starting on Harrison Avenue, climbing St. Kevin’s, looping east around Turquoise Lake, and re‑joining the original line at the bottom of the Powerline descent. The adjustments keep the iconic Columbine climb and descent while avoiding fire‑affected terrain. Containment reached 67 % by late July, and evacuation zones were downgraded, allowing the race to proceed safely on Aug. 15.