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backcountry Rise 50K

August 17, 2024



50K Course

***An ongoing road closure of Spirit Lake Hwy is currently in place due to a May 2023 mudslide preventing drive-up access to Johnston Ridge Aid Station. We will be informed in Spring 2024 whether public drive up access to Johnston Ridge on Spirit Lake Hwy will be available for race weekend. IF Johnston Ridge is NOT accessible, we will use an ALTERNATE COURSE (which is also amazing).***

The 50K consists of a single clockwise loop offering seemingly endless breathtaking views along entire course, and mile for mile is truly one of the most scenic, remote and unique trail races in the North America. Runners are treated to panoramic views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood, as well as the majestic Mt. Margaret Backcountry's many high lakes, creeks, craggy ridgelines and miles and miles of sweet single-track trails. 

THIS IS A DIFFICULT RACE. This very challenging and remote mountain trail race should not be taken lightly and is a graduate-level 50K course (see experience requirement below). Much of the route is on remote, narrow, steep backcountry trails with minimal access and rugged sections seeing infrequent maintenance. There is also significant distance between aid stations. Race entrants who insufficiently train are jeopardizing their safety and unfairly overburdening the event’s volunteers and safety resources—you have been warned. Bottom line, only attempt this race if you’re in top fitness, self-reliant and prepared for the challenge… this course humbles everyone who attempts it.

Total elevation gain is 7,600ft and loss is 7,600ft.  Approximately 98% of the course is on single-track trails and three aid stations are offered. 

Race Day Schedule

  • RACE DATE: SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2024

  • BIB PICKUP/CHECK-IN: 5:30-6:45AM

  • BRIEFING: 6:50AM at Start Line

  • RACE START: 7:00AM

  • CUT-OFF: 4:00PM at Johnston Ridge Aid Station

  • FINAL CUT-OFF: 6:00PM at Finish Line

Mandatory Experience & Gear

EXPERIENCE: Due to the remote, mountainous nature of the course and significant distance between some aid stations, completion of a trail 50K race (or longer) prior to race day is required. At registration, runners will enter an official ultramarathon race result, or link to a mountain ultra style endurance effort (such as Strava) demonstrating their experience. We take this requirement seriously, as should you— there are few situations worse than being overwhelmed with fatigue and insufficient training when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

GEAR: All 50K runners must also have the following MINIMUM gear during the race, which will be verified at race day check-in. Being on course without the following minimum gear is grounds for disqualification from the race: 

  • Capacity for at least 35-40 ounces (1 liter) of hydration/water. This is a MINIMUM amount- you will need every drop between Aid 2 and Aid 3!

  • Lightweight jacket

  • Safety Whistle

  • Emergency blanket

Course Map & Profile

  • MAP: Click on our custom course map image to open and save a high resolution copy. 

  • INTERACTIVE MAP: Click HERE for an interactive course map in Caltopo.

  • GPX DATA: Click HERE for a .gpx data file of the course with elevation data included.

 
 

Aid Stations

There are three aid stations, with all of them being remote hike-in locations, staffed by enthusiastic and experienced volunteers. Be sure to express your appreciation for their support and considerable effort getting all the supplies, food and water onto the course.

All aid stations will be well stocked with water, Gnarly Nutrition Fuel2O energy drink, SPRING Energy gels, PB&J sandwiches, soda, various fruit options, chips, gummi bears, a variety of other ultra fare and basic first aid supplies. All Daybreak races are cupless, so be sure to bring your own cup for liquid at aid stations. 

 
Aid Station Total Distance (mi) To Next Aid (mi) Crew Drop Bag Cutoff
Start 0 5.0 Yes -- --
#1 - Coldwater Creek 5.0 10.0 No No 8:45AM
#2 - Bear Camp 15.0 9.5 No No --
#3 - Johnston Ridge Observatory 24.5 6.9 Yes No 4:00PM
Finish 31.4 -- Yes -- 6:00PM
 

Course Detail

Start to Aid Station 1 (Coldwater Creek): 5.0 miles. Starting from the courtyard of the Science & Learning Center, the course skirts the parking area to thin the group before dropping down the Elk Bench Trail for a 0.8 mile descent to Coldwater Lake and a left turn onto the Lakes Trail to begin the loop. Runners then follow the serene, rolling Lakes Trail along the lake shore to Aid Station 1 at mile 5.0. Watch for soaring bald eagles scanning for fish and beavers in their lodge near the upper reaches of the lake.  Overall, this section is very runnable with some brief rocky areas with narrow singletrack. Be sure to top off your fluids at the aid station (you will want every drop unless you’re taking a filter to refill at creeks along the way) and thank these volunteers for their hike-in effort! Also, did you know Coldwater Lake used to be the Coldwater Creek canyon, but filled into a deep lake after the creek was dammed by the massive landslide during the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens?!

Aid Station 1 (Coldwater Creek) to Aid Station 2 (Bear Camp): 10.0 miles. Three words best describe this 8 mile section: hilly, remote and wild! Upon leaving Aid Station 1, runners immediately feel the solitude of the Mt. Margaret Backcountry surround them, as the Lakes Trail winds and climbs nearly 3000’ over the next 4 miles along the Coldwater Creek canyon wall. Look for herds of elk down along Coldwater Creek, and mountain goats on the rocky ridges ahead as you approach Whittier Ridge. This trail section is a mix of runnable and steep narrow dirt trail, with some sloughed rocky sections and heights that require caution. Just after reaching Snow Lake, the climb crests at Pleasant Pass, a gap in the teeth of Whittier Ridge and the gateway to the resplendent backcountry lakes region. Over the next 4 miles, runners will pass numerous stunning sapphire lakes and rushing creeks (a great resupply if you brought a water filter), witness the recovering forest and go gaga over the abundance of colossal huckleberries. After passing your last opportunity for filtered water refills at the creek outlet of Grizzly Lake, runners begin a 1 mile climb to Bear Pass, then descent a few hundred yards to the junction of Boundary Trail and the end of Lakes Trail. Runners veer right onto Boundary Trail and continue westerly for another steady 1 mile climb, arriving at Bear Camp for Aid Station 2 at mile 15. Be sure to top off your hydration here and thank these volunteers for their epic effort hiking everything in! There is an outdoor toilet at Bear Camp.

Aid Station 2 (Bear Camp) to Aid Station 3 (Johnston Ridge Observatory): 9.5 miles. Leaving Aid Station 2, runners face a long, completely exposed ridgeline 9.5 mile thrill ride. This segment is completely dry, with no water resupply opportunities. More than anywhere else on the entire Monument, this section offers the most iconic ridgeline views of Mt. St. Helens, its blast zone and Spirit Lake, as well as the surrounding Pacific NW Cascade peaks and volcanoes. The first mile is a gradual climb to Mt. Margaret, then 4 miles of rolling ridgeline trail to the unbelievably beautiful St. Helens Lake, Coldwater Peak and its adjacent rock arch-- yes, you will run through it, and it is pure magic! After the arch is a minor climb, then a bombing 2-mile descent down to Harry’s Ridge, followed by 2.5 miles of rocky rolling trail across the ‘Spill Over’, a moon/desert-like section of the blast zone to Johnston Ridge Observatory and Aid Station 3. This will be a large aid station with drop bags and portable toilet available no drop bags or portable toilet available in 2023 due to Spirit Lake Hwy closure, crew and spectators welcome (as a hike-in on on Boundary Trail from the Hummocks Trailhead, 4.5 miles).

Aid Station 3 (Johnston Ridge) to Finish: 6.9 miles. Mt. St. Helens and it’s entire 1980 blast zone looms intensely and uninterrupted along the grand 4 mile descent down Johnston Ridge on the Boundary Trail to the Hummocks Trailhead-- “Hummocks” are literally giant chunks of Mt. St Helens that blew away during the 1980 eruption, creating massive, spooky gravel mounds and fascinating wetland ponds as a result. Upon reaching Hummocks Trailhead parking area, runners cautiously cross Spirit Lake Hwy (Hwy 504) over to Coldwater Boat Launch day-use area and reconnect onto the Lakes Trail. Runners then follow the Lakes Trail for 0.8 miles (completing the loop) to the junction of Elk Bench Trail for the last 0.8 mile, 500’ climb back up to the Science & Learning Center for the race finish! This climb is short but will suck whatever remaining energy you have— keep grinding, knowing what you’ve just accomplished!

Trekking Poles

Poles are allowed.

Crew

***Due to the Spirit Lake Hwy closure before Johnston Ridge Observatory, the only access there is hike-in from Hummocks Trailhead. No drive up access is available there in 2023.***

Crew and spectators are welcome and encouraged at Johnston Ridge Aid Station and the Start/Finish area only. Be courteous with parking and sound levels, as this is important to our permitting agency, surrounding wildlife and Monument visitors. We do not want any complaints from other visitors that might jeopardize the event permit.

Drop Bags

Drop bags will be available at Johnston Ridge Aid Station.

Pacers

The event permit does not allow pacers or dogs.

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.


This event is granted by a Special Use Permit through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.