The Ultra Trail Bill Dooper Memorial Loop advances the dialogue begun by the founders of Nolan’s 14, contemplating questions of autonomy and agency as they relate to being not on, not in, but with the mountains.
This loop imposes no arbitrary cutoffs and welcomes every style of journey, whether solo, crewed, self-contained, supported, unsupported, or section-hiked, leaving the route open to individual interpretation based on the athlete's experience and ability. This track combines variations of the Holy Nolan’s Line and Mosquito Tenmile Traverse, linked by north and south connectors to be completed counter-clockwise.
All travelers must adhere to applicable United States Forest Service (USFS) regulations across wilderness areas, including compliance with group size limitations, restrictions on commercial activities, and Leave No Trace principles to protect these mountain ecosystems.
Route Details & Specifications
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Start / Finish | River Park, Buena Vista, CO |
| Distance & Elevation | 251 Miles / 404 km • 89,000 ft / 27,128 m D+ |
| On / Off Trail | 175.5 Miles (282.5 km) On-trail / 75.5 Miles (121.5 km) Off-trail |
| 14er Summits (20) | Sherman, Lincoln, Cameron, Democrat, Quandary, Holy Cross, Massive, Elbert, La Plata, Huron, Missouri,
Belford, Oxford, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Princeton, Antero, Tabeguache, Shavano Note: Mount Bross summit is strictly closed and off-limits to public access. |
| 13er Summits (19) | Centennial/Bicentennial (13): Horseshoe, Sheridan, Gemini, Dyer, Evans, Buckskin, Traver,
McNamee, Clinton, Wheeler, Pacific, Crystal, Peak 10 Other (6): West/East Buffalo, Weston Pass, Ptarmigan, Peerless, Peak 9 |
| Designated Areas | Wilderness Areas: Buffalo Peaks, Holy Cross, Mt. Massive, Collegiate
Peaks; National Forests: San Isabel, Pike, White River; Ski Area: Copper Mountain, Vail |
| Towns | Buena Vista, Wheeler Junction |