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This remarkable event challenges up to 35 teams of two or three ultrarunners – running together as duos or trios for the duration, NOT in a relay – to tackle an unimaginable traverse of Southern California deserts and mountains. The route covers 81 miles (130km) non-stop from below sea level at the shoreline of the Salton Sea, across, up, and over Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, to the top of Palomar Mountain with a dramatic view of the Pacific Ocean.
Start line at the Salton Sea. This year the race started half an hour earlier than previously, so runers begaan arriving while it was still dark
Mile 0-1.5; Start line and runners passing along the Salton Sea at sunrise
Miles 2-6; Running through Salton City
Mile 6.5; The culvert under highway 86
Mile 8; A first sandstorm heading to Anza Borrego
Mile 10.5; Climbing the first hill
The microwave tower (mile 14, checkpoint #1) is a landmark visible for many miles along the course of the race
Miles 15-23; Through the desert
Mile 24; Another sandstorm at the turnoff to Font's Point
Mile 31; Approaching Borrego Springs
Mile 40; Hellhole Canyon - checkpoint #3
Miles 40-41; Setting out on the hiking and riding trail
Atmospheric phenomena while we detoured back to camp overnight in the warm, dry desert (while, the runners continued through the night at higher elevations in cold, wet and misty conditions.)
Mile 45; Culp Vally, checkpoint #4
Miles 70-81; Climbing in mist and rain up the East Grade Road to the finish atop Palomar Mountain
Bob Becker - new record oldest finisher at
age 80!
Mile 70.5. Dawn on Sunday morning. A thick mist over Lake Henshaw, but all the runners are well up the East Grade Road and have past the viewpoint by the time we arrive.
Teams with crews before the start. Elevation 226 ft below sea level. No trespassing signs posted since last year now prohibit the historical start at the edge of the Salton Sea.
Start line
Team "Constant Runtime" were at the front all the way to the finish
Mile6.5. Underpass across the highway to the truck stop.
Miles 14-25. Through the Anza Borrego badlands.
Ocotillos in bloom
Heat haze with temperature over 100 Farenheit
Passing
Ricardo Brededa metal sculptures at the edge of Borrego Springs.
Mile 31. An 'upside-down'
aerial competition underway at the Borrego Valley airport.
Entering Hellhole Canyon trailhead parking lot.
Elevation 3500ft, mile 44. On the California Riding and Hiking trail approaching Pena Spring checkpoint.
Sunrise over Lake
Henshaw the next morning.
Elevation 3210ft. Starting up the East Grade Mt. Palomar road. Mile 70. Scenic vista over Lake Henshaw
Elevation
5271ft. View across marine layer hiding the coastal plain.
Elevation
5500ft, mile 81. . Finish line on Palomar Mountain.
Salton Sea Ultramarathon: April 30 - May 1, 2022
Ocotillo sunset before the race start
A line-up of four planets (jupiter, venus, mars, saturn) above Salton City
Jupiter and Venus reflected in the Salton Sea
Start line - 6:15 am, 226 ft below sea level
Team photos before the start
Start! Runners cross the beach and ascend a dirt ramp
Miles 0 to 5 - Through Salton City
Miles 7-30: Along highway S22 through the Borrego desert and past the microwave tower. Altitude 510 ft.
Mile 34: Approaching Borrego Springs
Mile 35.2: Checkpoint #2 at Borrego Springs Resort. Altitude 560 ft.
Miles 32-40: Uphill from the Resort to Hellhole Canyon.
Mile 40.5: Checkpoint 3 and start of California Riding and Hiking Trail. Altitude 750 ft.
Mile 44.5: California Riding and Hiking Trail. Altitude 3565 ft.
Ladder-backed woodpecker along the trail.
Mile 45.5: Sunset at the junction of Culp Valley trail with the Riding and Hiking trail
Mile 63: 5:30 am along by Lake Henshaw. Altitude 2820 ft.
Mile 65: Early morning mist over Lake Henshaw. Altitude 2820 ft.
Mile 71: Viewpoint on the East Grade road overlooking Lake Henshaw. Altitude 3199
Miles 71-81: On the East Grade road climbing Mout Palomar
Mile 81: View from the Lodge on Palomar Mountain. Altitude 5665 ft.
I returned to the 6th rumning of the Salton Sea Ultramarathon as staff photographer. Many more photos of the runners HERE
This remarkable event challenges up to 35 teams of two or three ultrarunners – running together as duos or trios for the duration, NOT in a relay – to tackle an unimaginable traverse of Southern California deserts and mountains. The route covers 81 miles (130km) non-stop from below sea level at the shoreline of the Salton Sea, across, up, and over Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, to the top of Palomar Mountain with a dramatic view of the Pacific Ocean.
A visit to the Salton Sea the day before the race start
The runners continued through the night, while I got a good sleep camped at the top of the Jasper Trail. Setting off before dawn to catch up with the slower runners I was delayed while driving up the East Palomar grade by a wonderful panoramic view of fog over Lake Henshaw and the surrounding valley.
