Mineshaft Grinder

Stay tuned! Further information about the Mineshaft Grinder will be released later in 2027.

Registration prices are subject to change, but will follow a schedule close to the following:

Early Bird Pricing (early summer):

• Gold Grinder: $50
• Silver Grinder: $50
• Quartz Grinder: $40

Regular Summer Pricing (through mid- July):

• Gold Grinder: $60
• Silver Grinder: $60
• Quartz Grinder: $50

Late Summer Pricing (mid-July-early August):

• Gold Grinder: $70
• Silver Grinder: $70
• Quartz Grinder: $60

Same Day Registration:

• Gold Grinder: $90
• Silver Grinder: $90
• Quartz Grinder: $80

*This is a non-refundable race. Bib transfers are allowed, though.

All participants will pick up their bib from the registration table inside of the Hope School lobby. All cyclists must show their helmets before they receive their bib.

Same-day race registration will be open for a limited time on race day. Please bring cash, check, or credit card. Further information about the Mineshaft Grinder and same-day registration will be released later in 2027.

Parking is limited so we ask that you carpool if possible. If you are a bicyclist staying somewhere in the Hope area please bike to the start of the race if you are able.

Before the race begins, participants will have access to two gear drops at the Hope School, with one specifically designated for cyclists and another for runners. Any gear deposited by cyclists will be dropped at the Hope School, loaded into a volunteer vehicle, and driven to the end of the Palmer Creek Road, where it will be waiting for you at the race finish. There will be a hard cutoff for the Gold Grinder gear drop for cyclists in order for the gear drop vehicle to leave prior to the race starting. The gear drop cutoff time will be communicated once this year’s race date and times are confirmed. All gear dropped by runners will remain at the Hope School, where the running races will both start and finish.

The Hope School bathrooms/showers will be available for use, and there are outhouses located at the Coeur d’Alene Campground (Mile 6 of Palmer Creek Rd).

Stay tuned! Further information about the Mineshaft Grinder will be released in 2027.

• The Gold Grinder is an uphill-only bike race for riders to grind up 1900’ over 11+ miles to the end of Palmer Creek Road. Racers will ride back to the Hope School after their race is complete.
• The Silver Grinder is a 1/2 Marathon to the Nearhouse Mine Trail on Palmer Creek Road and back to Hope School. This is an out-and-back course. The first half is mostly uphill, while the second half is mostly downhill along the switchbacks of Palmer Creek Road.
• The Quartz Grinder is an 8.8-mile round-trip run to the top of the switchbacks on Palmer Creek Road and back to the Hope School. This is an out-and-back course. The first half is mostly uphill, while the second half is mostly downhill.
• The race turnarounds for the running races will be at Aid Station 1 at the top of the switchbacks for the Quartz Grinder (8.5 Mile Run) and at Aid Station 2 by the Nearhouse Mine for the Silver Grinder (Half-Marathon).

• Gold Grinder 11+ Mile Bike Course
• Silver Grinder Half Marathon Course
• Quartz Grinder 8.8 Mile Run Course

Remember you are in bear country so plan accordingly. Bear spray is recommended.

There will be four aid stations available along Palmer Creek Road including:

• Aid Station 1 – Top of switchbacks (8.5 Mile Turnaround)
• Aid Station 2 – ½ Marathon Turn Around (Nearhouse Mine-Half-Marathon Turnaround)
• Aid Station 3 – Coeur D’Alene Campground
• Aid Station 4 – End of Palmer Creek Road (Bike Finish)

All aid stations will be equipped with a basic first aid kit, water, and an Inreach device/radio. If you see a fellow athlete get hurt, please put your neighbor first and stop to check on them. If an injury is serious, please find your nearest aid station to report the incident so we can dispatch assistance.

We ask that all participants bring their own reusable means of carrying water. There will be water jugs available at all the aid stations, as well as disposable cups, but we encourage everyone to try to go as green as possible.

There will be awards for top finishers along with raffle prizes. Stay tuned! Further information about the Mineshaft Grinder will be released in 2027.

Participants will have the opportunity to “work their claim” in honor of John Hirshey’s “Lucky Strike” mine, the most consistent lode gold (mined gold) producer of the Kenai Peninsula. For a chance to earn extra raffle tickets, participants will carry a bucket full of rocks at the end of their races. The bucket carry station will be located at the Hope School and can be completed after your race.

For all questions, please contact our Race Director/Executive Director, Rachel, at rachel.blakeslee@alaskalivinglands.org