Overview
For the 50K runners this section is pretty easy. You head out a mile or so (Personally, I think it is closer to 1.5 miles) and turn around. Of course it is all uphill to the turn around!

For the 50 mile runners it is a little different. This section is broken up into two climbs. You climb about 2 miles at the start then drop down and run flat for a bit. Next you climb up and then are rewarded with a nice long downhill to the HWY 35 aid station. Most of the elevation change is at the start and end of this seciton, the climb in the middle isn't as tough.

On the way back this can be a very tough section. This is probably the hottest part of the course. There are some open section where you can feel the heat and the climb is slow. Psychologically it can be tough too, you have enough mileage to be beat but you are not close to the finish line.

This section of trail is open and gets pretty warm on the way back.