Flagstaff Fearsome 4 Challenge
About
Looking for a running/hiking challenge in the Flagstaff area. Look no further! The Flagstaff Fearsome 4 is for you! 4 Peaks, 34 miles (55 km), 10,307+ feet (3141 m) of elevation gain in a single day (Ultrarunner) or 2 days (Trailrunner & Hiker). Training and acclimation to elevation is highly recommended. All distances, elevation gain, elevation may vary depending on GPS used.
History
The idea of running several peaks in a single day in the Flagstaff region was born a few years ago when Scott Bajer and I were coming up with some cool ideas for runs for the Flagstaff Ultrarunning Club similar in craziness as the Elden Vertical 2400, the Elden Quad Buster. The idea was forgotten and did not turn into a reality until now! The idea sparked back to life at The King/Queen of The Peaks group run this July 2015 when talking with Sean Meissner. We started brainstorming and the name “The Flagstaff Fearsome 4” was born.
Description
This challenge is for trailrunners, hikers and ultrarunners. It involves cresting 4 Flagstaff popular mountains, Humphreys, Kendrick, Elden and O’Leary in a single day (0:00 am to 11:59 pm) for the Ultrarunner status and 2 days (not necessarily back to back) for the Trailrunner and Hiker status.
See you on the trails!
Ludo Pierson
Mountain | Max Elevation | Elevation Gain | Distance |
Humphreys Peak |
12,633 feet (3852 m) |
3,272 feet | 9 miles |
Kendrick Peak (Kendrick Trail or Pumpkin Trail) |
10,422 feet (3176 m) |
2,639 feet |
9 miles / 10 miles |
Mount Elden (Lookout Trail or Lookout Road to the Lookout Tower) |
9,301 feet (2834 m) |
2,400 feet |
5 miles / 10 miles |
O’Leary Peak |
8,916 feet (2717 m) |
1,996 feet |
10 miles |
Rules (If you are interested in participating, please read)
- This challenge is not a race, it can be done anytime of the year, there is NO fee, no shirt, no medal, no aid stations, no chip timing, no medics
- You have to start the day at the start of your 1st peak and finish at the bottom of your last peak
- You can drive to the mountain of your choice, the order in which you proceed does not matter
- You start timing at the Trail Heads (O’Leary and Elden Lookout Road start and finish at the bottom gate, the top is the LOOKOUT TOWERS), record your time at the top, and finally stop timing once back at the same Trail Head (Send me your ELAPSED TIMES, not MOVING TIMES). Keep track of your time for each mountain. Driving time is not included in your overall time, drive safe, respect speed limits
- A GPS watch is highly recommended but not mandatory.
- The use of hiking poles is authorized, same for pacers and crews
- A single day is defined as being from 0:00 am to 11:59 pm on the same calendar day. Hiker and Trailrunner Status can be achieved using 2 different days, not necessarily back to back.
- This is a runner and hiker challenge only, the use of bicycles is NOT allowed.
- Observe the Leave No Trace 7 principles. A lot of these trails are on Wilderness, observe all rules stated by the Forest Service
- Report your times for each peaks (Send me your ELAPSED TIMES, not MOVING TIMES). and dates, your city, pictures and gpx files/Strava activities (required for COURSE RECORD) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . This is done on the HONOR SYSTEM, no cheating please. I will post your time as soon as I can.
Badges
Status | Total Cumulative Time | Span |
|
< 15 hours | 1 day |
> 8 and < 15 hours | over 2 days | |
> 15 and < 24 hours |
over 2 days |
2015 Results
Date | Name | Cumulative Running Time | Status | Notes |
7/31/2015 |
Ludo Pierson Flagstaff, AZ |
10 hrs 57 min | |
Solo |
8/22/2015 |
David Moore Flagstaff, AZ Aaron Moore Durango, CO |
12 hrs 27 min | |
Team |
9/5/2015 |
Kristina Siladi Flagstaff, AZ Cari Kimball Flagstaff, AZ |
10 hrs 14 min | |
Team
|
9/11/2015 |
Tyler Gault Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 39 min |
Solo with dog |
|
12/03/2015 |
Sean Meissner Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 19 min |
Solo |
2016 Results
Date | Name | Cumulative Running Time | Status | Notes |
5/12/2016 |
Tyler Gault Flagstaff, AZ |
7 hrs 50 min | |
Solo
|
5/28/2016 |
Brian Moody Flagstaff, AZ |
7 hrs 16 min | |
Solo
|
6/15/2016 |
Michael Versteeg Prescott, AZ |
6 hrs 31 min |
Solo
|
|
6/26/2016 |
Jamil Coury Phoenix, AZ |
7 hrs 26min | Solo | |
7/5-6/2016 |
Tasha Harder Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 55 min | Solo | |
7/14/2016 |
Shari White Alyson Jay Flagstaff, AZ |
10 hrs 05 min | Team | |
7/27/2016 |
Steven Kujawski Flagstaff, AZ |
11 hrs 24 min | Solo | |
7/31/2016 |
Joey Bender Denver, CO |
5 hrs 50 min 22 sec | Solo
|
|
8/28/2016 |
Jeff Spencer Bentonville, AR |
12 hrs 47 min 45 sec | Solo | |
9/2/2016 |
Brett DuBois Chris Wolf Phoenix, AZ |
11 hrs 10 min 52 sec | Team | |
9/4/2016 |
Tom Feore Glendale, AZ |
10 hrs 12 min 42 sec | Solo | |
9/10/2016 9/11/2016 |
Kathy Gott George Gott Phoenix, AZ |
17 hrs 39 min 55 sec | Team | |
9/15/2016 |
Jane Murawski AZ |
9 hrs 33 min 39 sec | Solo | |
9/17/2016 |
Steven Kujawski Flagstaff, AZ |
11 hrs 49 min 53 sec | Solo | |
9/17/2016 |
David Metzler Phoenix, AZ Brad Bosch Flagstaff, AZ |
8 hrs 06 min 53 sec | Team | |
11/10/2016 |
Brandon Kelone Flagstaff, AZ |
8 hrs 45 min 05 sec | Solo |
2017 Results
Date | Name | Cumulative Running Time | Status | Notes |
9/23/2017 |
Kelly Lasley Flagstaff, AZ |
16 hrs 30 min | |
Solo |
9/30-10/01/2017 |
Kyle DeHart Flagstaff, AZ |
11 hrs 15 min | Solo | |
11/03-11/04/2017 |
Pete Kirkham Idyllwild, CA |
10 hrs 40 min | Solo | |
12/23/2017 |
Thomas Torres Flagstaff, AZ Matt Maroszan Gilbert, AZ Rene Armenta Mesa, AZ |
10 hrs 41 min
11 hrs 16 min
11 hrs 30 min
|
Team |
Because of the Kendrick boudary fire, the trails were closed from 6/5/2017 to 9/13/2017
2018 Results
5/23-7/11 2018 Humphreys and Elden closed due to fire danger.
Date | Name | Cumulative Running Time | Status | Notes |
5/20/2018 |
Scott Bajer Flagstaff, AZ |
8 hrs 40 min 09 sec | |
Solo |
7/21/2018 |
Rob Applegate Maricopa, AZ |
9 hrs 49 min 20 sec | Solo | |
8/11/2018 |
Thomas Torres Kameron Wallis Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 12 min 00 sec | Team | |
8/11-12/2018 |
Stanford Lake Prescott Valley, AZ |
12 hrs 17 min 48 sec | Solo | |
8/29/2018 |
James Madson Flagstaff, AZ |
10 hrs 19 min 13 sec | Solo | |
9/6/2018 |
Matt Mooch Flagstaff, AZ |
7 hrs 48 min 51 sec | Solo | |
9/15-11/03/2018 |
Rob Thames Flagstaff, AZ |
10 hrs 00 min 3 sec | Solo |
2019 Results (Museum Fire)
Date | Name | Cumulative Running Time | Status | Notes |
6/6/2019 |
Perry Edigner Phoenix, AZ Rob Ulm Charleston, IL |
11 hrs 46 min
11 hrs 47 min 38 sec
|
|
Team
|
6/29/2019 |
Vasile Samartinean Phoenix, AZ |
8 hrs 00 min 2 sec | Solo | |
7/13/2019 |
Holly Hovious Jeff Hemperley Prescott, AZ |
10 hrs 56 min 7 sec | Team | |
7/13/2019 |
Ramon Dorame Mesa, AZ |
10 hrs 12 min 31 sec | Team | |
7/13/2019 |
Lucas Burnett Chandler, AZ |
10 hrs 8 min 54 | Team | |
7/13/2019 |
Joseph Lafferty Phoenix, AZ |
13 hrs 22 min 18 sec | Team | |
7/13/2019 |
Eric Rolen Phoenix, AZ |
13 hrs 24 min 52 sec | Team | |
8/31-9/1/2019 |
Kat Berry Tucson, AZ |
16 hrs 26 min 23 sec | Solo | |
9/21/2019 |
Charlie Trouba Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 23 min 5 sec | Solo |
Elden Lookout Rd and Trail were closed due to the Museum Fire
2020 Results (COVID19)
Date | Name | Cumulative Running Time | Status | Notes |
7/4/2020 |
Breanna Cornell Flagstaff, AZ
|
10 hrs 47 min 04 sec
|
|
Friends & dog |
7/19/2020 |
Mike Loree Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 26 min 56 sec | Solo | |
7/19/2020 |
Andrew Smith Phoenix, AZ |
8 hrs 00 min 49 sec | Solo | |
8/26/2020 |
Drew Frehs Flagstaff, AZ |
6 hrs 16 min 03 sec | Friends & dog | |
8/28-29/2020 |
Elizabeth Wong Chandler, AZ |
12 hrs 04 min 07 sec | Solo | |
9/12/2020 |
Will Drexler Flagstaff, AZ |
8 hrs 26 min 21 sec | Solo | |
9/12/2020 |
Nick Smotek Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 01 min 12 sec | Solo | |
10/24/2020 |
Maddie Margevicius Flagstaff, AZ |
11 hrs 10 min 58 sec | Solo | |
10/31/2020 |
Nathan Rupe Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 06 min 35 sec | Solo |
2021 Results
Date | Name | Cumulative Running Time | Status | Notes |
10/08/2021 |
Austin Horn Flagstaff, AZ |
5 hrs 37 min 50 sec | |
Solo (***Fastest Known Time*** ) |
2022 Results
Date | Name | Cumulative Running Time | Status | Notes |
9/07/2022 |
Kyle Zelt Flagstaff, AZ |
9 hrs 33 min 30 sec | |
Solo
|
9/30/2022 |
AlisonTita Michael Tita Flagstaff, AZ |
13 hrs 22 min 21 sec | Team |
Course Maps & Profiles
Elden
Kendrick
Humphreys
O'Leary
Directions
Mount Elden
Lookout Trail
89A toward the Flagstaff Mall, Turn left onto Elden Lookout Trail parking lot, after passing LazyBoy
Lookout Road
180 toward the Grand Canyon, turn left on Schultz Pass Road at the light. Stay right onto Elden Lookout rd, drive until road turns into forest road, park at the gate
Humphreys Peak
180 toward the Grand Canyon, turn left and drive up Snowbowl rd, park on the Heart Prairie Lodge Parking lot on the left. The Trail Head is right there!
Kendrick Peak
Drive 180 toward the Grand Canyon, make left on 245 (forest road) at Mile Marker 230, continue on 245 for 3 miles until intersection with 171, turn right on 171 for 4 miles, turn right at Kendrick TH sign.
O’Leary Peak
89A north past the Mall, heading towards Sunset Crater National Monument, turn right to get into the National Monument, a couple of miles down turn left at O’Leary Campground, Park before the gate,
Recommended Equipment
- Hydration pack
- Rain gear (paints & jacket)
- Watch, GPS is preferred
- Hat/Beanie
- Sunglasses
- Food and water
- Hiking poles
- Running/Hiking shoes
- Spare pairs of shorts, socks, shirts
- Headlamp
- Vehicle filled with gas, plenty of miles driving between Trail Heads
- First Aid Kit
- A cell phone
Have fun!
Ludo Pierson
Any questions, contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
View from the rooftop of Arizona, Humphreys Peak
View from Kendrick Peak
View of the San Francisco Peaks from Elden Lookout Tower
View of Sunset Crater from O'Leary Peak
Flagstaff Ultrarunning Club
Flagstaff Ultrarunning Club is Flagstaff’s premier group for long-distance runs in the San Francisco Peaks (7000 ft – 12,000ft +) and the Grand Canyon. The club has organized few events throughout the year including the Mormon Fatass 50 miler, the King of the Peaks 55K, the Elden Quad Buster 10K and the Elden Vertical Challenge. As of 2013, the club has over 200 members from various levels living in town and across the country. Flagstaff Ultrarunning is home of some serious elite ultrarunners such as Rob Krar, Jason Wolfe, Eric Bohn, Brian Tinder, Ian Torrence and Emily Harrison amongst others.