MARCH 9, 2024
There is the Fallapple, the Mayapple, the Febapple and THE SQUATCHAPPLE!! Join us on Saturday March 9, 2024 for the Squatchapple Trail Race at the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ! With distances for everyone, this trail party is open to runners and hikers of all ages and paces. Runners/hikers can sign up to squatch 11 miles, 20 miles, 33 miles or 50 miles! We will be supporting the South Mountain Conservancy with this trail party!
TRAIL PARTY DETAILS
SQUATCHAPPLE
When we think about the Squatchapple, we think about COMMUNITY! This event brings out families, besties, local running clubs and folks from around the east coast for this squatchtastic Trail Party! We offer an 11 miler, 20 miler, 33 miler and 50 miler!
CHARITY PARTNER
Founded in March 2000, the South Mountain Conservancy is a volunteer, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to preserve, protect, and enhance the South Mountain Reservation through active stewardship, advocacy, and education. Through volunteer activities, public programs and partnership with the Essex County Parks Department, the SMC serves as a steward and advocate for the South Mountain Reservation. Since 2018, Sassquad Trail Runners have donated over $13,000 to the Conservancy!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
50 Miler: Check-in 6:15am-6:45am. Start Time: 7am (13 hour cutoff)
33 Miler: Check-in 7:15am-7:45am. Start Time: 8am (12 hour cutoff)
20 Miler: Check-in 8:15am-8:45am. Start Time: 9am (11 hour cutoff)
11 Miler: Check-in 8:15am-8:45am. Start Time: 9am (11 hour cutoff)
​
The course closes at 8pm sharp.
No pacers for this trail party.
Sunrise: 6:16am | Sunset: 5:58pm
Headlamps are required after 5pm.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Squatchapple course consist of 3 different loops that all start/finish at the Tulip Springs Trailhead. The loops are 4 miles, 5.5 miles and 7 miles. Runners/hikers will complete a combination of these three loops to achieve the distances that they registered for. You must complete the loops in the exact order that they are listed. If you decide to drop down during the race to a smaller distance, please note that you cannot qualify for post-race awards.
4 Mile Turtleback Loop, PINK RIBBONS: 370 ft gain, 75% carriage roads, 25% singletrack. This is almost the same loop that we use for the Frosty Fat Sass and Squatchy Leftovers - we just add a little bit extra which means you get to see "Turtleback Rock". You'll know what it is when you get there! This loop is mostly mellow doublewide trails with a bit of singletrack. There is one big climb and one big descent. You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.
5.5 Mile Locust Grove Loop, CHECKERED RIBBON. 600 ft gain. 90% carriage roads, 10% singletrack. This loop is mostly mellow doublewide trails. The one exception is the rocky, technical climb up the steep Lenape Trail--300' gain in 1/2 mile. The other 300' gain in the loop are gentle rollers. This year we rerouted the backhalf of the course to follow the Crest Trail rather than the Swampy Trail. The Crest Trail parallels Crest Drive and is a flat, doublewide trail. You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.
7 Mile Mayapple Loop BLUE RIBBONS: 960 ft gain. 35% singletrack, 30% road, 34% carriage roads, 1% grass field. Note: this loop has two road crossings - all runners/hikers must cross legally and only when they have the right-of-way at the crosswalk! We updated this one for 2023 to eliminate cross-traffic and the confusing spots from years past. You'll finish the loop the same way Pink and Blue does, by going down the 200'+ rocky hill.
50 Miler: 5,790 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue repeated 3 x’s
33 Miler: 3,860 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue repeated 2 x’s
20 Miler: 2,155 ft gain - Pink, Checkered, Blue, Pink
11 Miler: 1,185 ft gain - Pink, Blue
​
We will include a detailed trail conditions report leading up to the race. Generally, most runners/hikers find a sturdy trail shoe with decent lugs to be a good match for this race (think Brooks Cascadia, Altra Timps, Hoka Speedgoat etc).
COURSE MARKINGS
The course will be well-marked with neon pink ribbon for the Pink Loop, blue ribbons for the Blue Loop and checkered ribbons for the Checkered Loop.
VOLUNTEER DREAM TEAM
Our Volunteer Dream Team is what makes all of the Trail Magic happen! Join us as a Volunteer at this trail party as we support our squatchtastic running community. We have many Volunteer opportunities available such as Check-In, Aid Station Crew, Course Sweepers etc. Click here to Volunteer!
AID STATIONS
Our Volunteer Dream Team will bring all of the Trail Magic to the Aid Station! We will have hot food, plenty of snacks as well as water and Skratch Hydration. As always, we will have a large assortment of gluten-free and vegan options. Aid Station may include the following: fruit, ice pops, GF fruit snacks, granola bars, GF oreos, GF pretzels, GF tortilla chips, GF corn tortillas, quesadillas, bacon, pierogies, ramen, veggie broth etc. The Aid Station is located at the start/finish area, so you will pass it after you finish each loop.
REQUIRED GEAR
Any runners/hikers who are still out on the course at 5PM are required to have a headlamp and a charged cellphone with them. Sunset is at 56pm and the course closes at 8pm.
There are no exceptions to these rules; please be prepared!
GETTING TO THE RACE
The race starts/finishes at the Tulip Springs / Boy Scout Area at the South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, NJ. Please follow the directions of our Volunteers who will be assisting with parking!
FAQS
CAN I HAVE A PACER?
No pacers are allowed.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Sorry, but Einstein has to stay at home for this race. Our liability insurance does not cover dogs at our events; thank you for understanding!
WILL THERE BE AN AID STATION?
YES! Our main aid station will have a wide variety of traditional ultra running food, as well as many vegan and gluten-free items. You are more than welcome to bring your own food/water and setup your own aid station in the parking lot and access it each time you come to the start/finish area.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
WILL I SEE SASQUATCH?
WHAT ADDRESS SHOULD I USE TO GET TO THE PARK?
Great Scott! It could be cold. Maybe. It could be warm. Check the weather before the race and dress appropriately. The zip code for the race is 07052.
THIS IS MY FIRST TRAIL RACE; ANY ADVICE?
ME AND MY FRIEND AREN'T REGISTERED FOR THE RACE, BUT WE'RE STILL PLANNING ON COMING TO RUN. WE WON'T EAT FROM THE AID STATION OR TAKE A MEDAL OR SWAG. THIS IS OKAY, RIGHT?
This is heavy. Seriously, we are SO EXCITED that you are choosing a Sassquad event for your first trail race! This is a great choice for your first race because these trails have a bit of everything! You'll run on easy carriage roads, technical singletracks and enjoy flat trails and hilly trails. You're going to LOVE it!
CAN I GET A REFUND?
Unfortunately we do not offer refunds on the nonrefundable registration fee.
ARE THERE ANY ROADS ON THE COURSE?
Roads? Where we are going, we don't need roads! There is only 1 very, very short stretch of pavement that is less than .20 miles long. There is also 1 road crossing at a stoplight that has a crosswalk. Runners/hikers are only allowed to cross LEGALLY and must wait for the right-of-way at the crosswalk!
NO THIS IS NOT OKAY. This is called being a "race bandit" and it is stealing. Not paying for a race and running the race is stealing from the race organization (even if you're not taking food or swag). Don't do this at a Sassquad trail party or ANY other race. It's not okay. And if you hear about someone else doing this, call them out. If you bandit a race, you will be banned from registering for any of our Sassquad events.
62 Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ 07052
We sure hope you do! Make sure you take a selfie with him if you see Squatchy out there!