The post
was a garrison for the "Buffalo Soldiers," African-American cavalry troops
who served in the West during the late 1800's. On the parade ground is
a statue of Corporal Clifton Greaves, a Medal of Honor recipient for valor
during this period.
Ft. Bayard, New Mexico will be the site of the annual
Ft. Bayard Wilderness Run. The grounds at Fort Bayard are laid out in the
tradition of the frontier cavalry post of the late 1800's, with remnants
of the officers' row and many of the original buildings.
The post
was a garrison for the "Buffalo Soldiers," African-American cavalry troops
who served in the West during the late 1800's. On the parade ground is
a statue of Corporal Clifton Greaves, a Medal of Honor recipient for valor
during this period.
From the start line just east of the hospital building, the runners will proceed past the "Buffalo Soldier" statue on the old parade grounds, and climb the hill to the National Cemetery. Here men and women are buried who served in the "Indian Wars", Spanish-American War, both World Wars, as well as Korea and Vietnam.
The runners will then proceed north on Forest Service land. The race course follows the remnant of the old wagon trail (now a Forest Service hiking trail) that was worn into the terrain when used to haul firewood for the Cavalry Post from the Pinos Altos Range. The trail takes an upward course that gradually rises from about 6200 feet to 6400 ft. on soft and hard-packed dirt, with occasional rocky areas (attention to the trail is a must on this first part of the race course!). At a trail intersection about three miles into the course, the runners will go east; if they don't they might end up in the Pinos Altos Range! (The course is well marked, however). The race proceeds over a series of of arroyos and ridges, with a final short but steep climb out of Cameron Creek up to the maintained Forest Service road.
The course is then routed past the Ft. Bayard Forest Service compound area, which used to be a remount station for the Calvary troopers in the frontier days. Now it serves as a base for the fire-fighting crews during fire season. The last three miles of the race follow the road in a southerly, slightly downhill run with the opportunity for a fast pace. Often in this area, one may see elk or deer. The finish line returns to the parade ground area.