Stage 4 of the TransRockies Run was an absolute dream! It took us from our camp at Nova Guides to Red Cliff, Colorado with a shorter distance of 14 miles and incredible views throughout. And bonus – we didn’t have to pack up camp before the start because we had two nights at Nova Guides. Felt like luxury!

TRANSROCKIES RUN STAGE 4 RECAP: NOVA GUIDES TO RED CLIFF

Here’s a look at the course and elevation for the day!

Since we didn’t have to pack up camp, I was able to sleep until the late hour of 5:45a. At this point in the week I had learned to sleep with my puffy jacket stuffed down into the bottom of my sleeping bag so that it was warm when I put it on in the morning over my thermals to walk to get breakfast and coffee. I had my usual of a toasted English muffin with butter and a bowl of oatmeal with toppings and peanut butter along with black coffee. I got myself dressed and then met up with Elizabeth to hit the starting line!

We started with a rolling run on gravel roads for about two miles before we hit gravel and dirt jeep roads that we’d be on for most of the climb to the highest point of the day.

We gained 2,800 feet in the three miles up Hornsilver Mountain and let me tell ya – I felt every single one of them. It was a slow grind to the top and super steep at times. I marveled at how some people were doing it without poles. They are tremendously helpful for climb efficiency and navigating technical downhills.

The payoff views were 100% worth every bit of the climb. We got to run/hike along this ridge line for about three miles with views of the Mount of the Holy Cross.

Skratch Chews with a view! 10/10 recommend these!!!

(shoes, compression socks, shorts, belt, tank, hydration vest, sunglasses, hat, poles)

It’s been a little over a month since I completed the TransRockies Run and not a day goes by that I don’t think about these views and the experience. It was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. There were so many moments that feel completely surreal.

Running along the ridge line!

One last view shot before heading down the mountain.

I spent a lot of time up top stopping to appreciate the view and take photos but once I hit the downhill miles through the Wearyman Creek drainage, I flew.

Stage four is known for its water crossings and those were fun and refreshing towards the finish line. It’s typically very rainy in Colorado this time of year and you can be in knee-deep water for half a mile as Wearyman Creek runs down the middle of the trail. It was super dry the week of TRR so we only had a few crossings that were very short (but no way to avoid getting wet).

Big gratitude for the TRR photographers who were stationed at various points along the course each day to catch us in action.

I met up with Elizabeth at the final aid station of the day (it was our only full aid station – the one at the top was just water) and we finished the last two miles on gravel road together. We did an equal mix of power hiking and jogging.

And then before we knew it, we were at the finish line in Red Cliff. It’s a TINY little mountain town with a population of just over 200.

I felt so good at the finish of this stage!

We were told that it’s tradition to eat at Mango’s Mexican Grill after Stage Four (it’s the only restaurant in town) so we decided to give it a try.

While fun in theory, it was a little disappointing. We paid nearly $40 each for a buffet that was sub-par at best. They were constantly out of almost everything and it was just a little chaotic. Regardless, I filled my plate up with what I could find and made the best of it. I had a beef taco, a fish taco and some chips and cheese sauce along with a salad. I skipped out on the margs that everyone was downing and no doubt had to have made the buffet more appealing haha.

AFTERNOON/EVENING AT CAMP IN NOVA GUIDES

Elizabeth and I grabbed the shuttle back to Nova Guides and spent about an hour stretching and rolling out which felt heavenly. They had a recovery area for us with a variety of balls and rollers.

I snapped a few photos from around camp to show what it was like. Here’s a shot of the tent village to show how close together they all were. People were mostly very respectful and quiet in the evening and early morning hours but you constantly heard tents zipping and unzipping and the sound of snores. I slept with foam earplugs every night and they did the trick!

There were hydration stations right outside of the tents and around camp. This is where we filled up our water bottles and our hydration packs every day.

There was always a snack bar out in Chillville. I made many visits to this table for its ever-changing assortment depending on what the latest volunteer had grabbed at Costco. And there was always PBJ available anytime day or night!

The charging station! Mind-blowing, right!? How they were able to support this electrical load is beyond me!

Food tent and outside tables.

Dinner after stage four was barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, green beans, salad and I had some banana pudding.

Nightly post-dinner meeting to recap the day and review the next stage.

I finished my day at the Elevated Legs truck where I did 30 minutes of compression therapy. I really think doing this daily made a significant impact on my recovery. I never once woke up with dead/heavy or really sore legs!

FINAL STATS FOR STAGE 4

Distance: 14.49 miles
Total time: 4:39:30 (told ya I spent a lot of time chatting and taking photos up top!)
Total elevation gain: 3,091 feet

And here are the splits – gotta love that Grade Adjusted Pace! 🙂

That’s a wrap on my recap of Stage 4 of the 2025 TransRockies Run! Only two more to go – and they were long and epic days!