XTERRA McDowell Mountain features a 15 mile long course for the more endurance oriented runners which winds out Pemberton Trail and climbs up towards Dixie Mine. Don’t forget to check out the cholla forests and fields of beaver tail cacti. The shorter 7k course is, well, scenic. I mean, the trail is called the Scenic Trail. Following a counterclockwise loop, this rocky trail will keep you on your toes. All participants get an awesome race shirt (I promise it won’t be another white one), cool finisher medals, entry into a great swag raffle, and a yummy breakfast. Late arrivals will park at the Trailhead Staging Area, which is the first right as you enter the park, across from the competitive loops. There will be a couple of shuttles running to get you up to the top to the start line. Shuttles will run continuously from 7:00 until 8:45 and again after the event. Or you can use the 2 mike walk as a warm up. Keep in mind, packet pickup will be at the Pemberton Trailhead as well. You will not be able to temporarily park up there just to pick up your bib. Better yet? Come to packet pickup on Saturday.