This Weekend: Jackson Hole’s Iconic Trail Race Is Back
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One of the most demanding trail races in the West is back this weekend in Wyoming. On Saturday, August 2, 2025, the most dedicated athletes will take on Jackson Hole Mountain Resort's Rendezvous Hill Climb. It’s a climb from the base of the resort to the top of the Aerial Tram, and we’re here for it.
The Details
What does it take to get to the top? The course starts in Teton Village and winds its way up the Wildflower trail to the Rendezvous Lodge at the top of the Bridger Gondola. But it doesn’t stop there. From the lodge, runners continue onto the infamous Cirque Trail, grinding their way to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain.
After 6.1 miles and a staggering 4,100 feet of vertical gain, the race finishes at the Aerial Tram dock at 10,450 feet.
More Than a Race
While the pain is temporary, the cause is lasting. The annual race is a key fundraiser for the trails division of the Jackson non-profit, Friends of Pathways. This group is responsible for planning, building, and maintaining the beloved bike and multi-use trails in Jackson's major public trail networks, including Cache Creek, Game Creek, Munger Mountain, and Teton Pass.
All proceeds are donated in the name of Chris Onufer, a longtime and respected JHMR Tram Mechanic who was tragically killed in an avalanche in 2012.
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Records on the Line
In true Jackson Hole fashion, the event draws some of the best athletes in the sport who compete for a $1,000 first-place prize. Even more enticing is the $1,000 bonus for any male or female who breaks a course record.
The competition is stacked. In 2023, Joseph Gray (57:56) and Tyler McCandless (59:07) became the first competitors to ever complete the course in under an hour. McCandless took first place again in 2024 with a time of 59:59. On the women's side, Anna Gibson didn't just win in 2024—she broke the women's course record with a time of 1:07:51, finishing 5th overall.
Gray, McCandless, and Gibson are all set to return for the 2025 race, each with their eye on the record books (and bragging rights, of course). With this crew back on the line, it’s gonna be fun to watch it all unfold.
