Hiya Backboners! Per the recently updated summary table at the bottom of this page, there are eight aid stations along the Backbone Trail Ultra course that will be generously supplied with enough vittles to keep you moving along the course and avoid the “hangry” (hungry + angry) state of mind.  Standard ultra fare – bananas, PBJ, boiled potatoes with salt, chips, pretzels, nuts, something sweet, jelly beans, Peeps, electrolytes and a variety of beverages – will be supplemented in later miles by somewhat less conventional hot fixins dished out by our creative aid station cap’ns.

Words of wisdom: while the distances between aid may not seem staggering on paper (or a web page), these are some long hard miles. Be sure to set out from each aid station with more than enough calories and liquids than you think you will need to see you to the next oasis.

While crews and pacers are not allowed out on the course itself, we have designated aid stations (see table) that are accessible to those who wish to encourage you at various points along the way. Please tie any such support persons to ropes long enough to keep them within the general aid station area so they don’t risk your participant status by wandering beyond the aid station proper.

Event headquarters are at the La Jolla Canyon group campground in Point Mugu State Park near the Ray Miller trailhead, and staff there are your best resource for updates on runner status and location. That being said, they will be heavily immersed in keeping tabs on the team, so please be respectful of their workload. They are there for the long haul, so be sure to lavish them with tokens of your gratitude.

Important note: the open/close and cutoff times listed are still preliminary, as they are subject to final review by the various state parks agencies. We don’t anticipate any, but will send out an update if changes are required. (click image for printable version)