Bachelor Ascent 50K
September 12, 2026
Bachelor Ascent 50K
31.0 miles / Loop Course / 6800’ of gain
The 50K course offers an absolutely stunning mountain trail race route, featuring 6800’ of elevation gain over three unique and different clockwise loops on Mt. Bachelor. Each loop starts and finishes at our West Village staging area, ensuring convenient spectator cheering vibes and crew access! We like to think of the 50K route as a three-course meal, but in reverse! Runners get dessert first with loop 1, then the main dinner on loop 2, and end with an appetizer on loop 3 :)
LOOP 1 SUMMITS the 9000’ peak of the Mt. Bachelor volcano, up the east side, down the west side
LOOP 2 CIRCUMNAVIGATES the Mt. Bachelor volcano clockwise
LOOP 3 is a mid-mountain loop up to the picturesque Pine Marten Lodge
Runners will encounter a broad range of terrain, from broad and smooth dirt single track to steep, punchy doubletrack as well as exposed and sometimes scrambly, steep and technical volcanic rock trails. Magnificent views are relentless from start to finish!
Race Day Schedule
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
Bib Pickup:
Friday at FootZone in Bend: 3:30-5:30PM OR
Race morning: 7:00AM-7:50AM
Race Start: 8:00AM at West Village
Awards Ceremony: 2:30PM
Finish Line Cutoff: 5:00PM
Course Map
Elevation Change
Approximately 6,800' of ascent and 6,800' of descent.
Aid Stations
There are 5 aid stations on the course, all staffed with experienced, enthusiastic volunteers plus professional medical personnel.
Hydration and Nutrition
Options include Neversecond C30 gels and C30 sports drink, water, soda, bananas, oranges, chips, PB&J sandwiches, and much more.
All Daybreak races are cupless
Be sure to bring your own cup for drinking liquids at all aid stations.
| Aid Station | Total Distance (mi) | Segment (mi) | Bathroom | Drop Bag | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start - West Village | 0 | 5.7 | Yes | -- | -- |
| #1 - Pine Marten | 5.7 | 4.5 | Yes | No | -- |
| #2 - West Village | 10.2 | 8.1 | Yes | Yes | 11:00AM |
| #3 - Outback | 18.3 | 5.0 | Yes | No | -- |
| #4 - West Village | 23.3 | 3.2 | Yes | Yes | 2:45PM |
| #5 - Pine Marten | 26.5 | 4.5 | Yes | No | -- |
| Finish - West Village | 31.0 | -- | Yes | -- | 5:00PM |
Crew & Spectators!
Crew are welcome at Aid Stations #1, 2, 4 & 5, and of course the Finish Line area for runner support. Crew and spectators must follow race rules and directions given by an event official, Mt. Bachelor staff, medical personnel and aid station captains.
Pine Marten Aid Station #1 and 5 is accessible by either hiking up the course or purchasing a lift ticket and riding the Pine Marten lift up to Pine Marten lodge. The lift can be taken back down to West Village too, so you can follow your runner!
West Village Aid Station #2 & 4 is at our staging area where the race starts and finishes near West Village lodge.
Drop Bags
Drop bags will be available at West Village Aid Station #2 & 4. This must be the same, single bag. Drop bags must meet the requirements below to be accepted:
LABEL: Please label your drop bag with your name, race, bib number and aid station location in permanent marker.
SIZE & CONDITION: Drop bag size must be smaller than a 20L day bag (shoe box size), made of durable, water-resistant material and less than 5lbs. Bags that are too large, heavy or leaking/wet will not be accepted and will not go the requested aid station.
RETURN: Please consider that drop bags will not be returned back to the race staging area until after the aid station shuts down once race sweepers arrive. Have your crew grab your drop bags early from Aid Stations that are crew accessible, if possible.
CONTENTS: Do not store valuables in drop bags! The race is not responsible for missing, damaged, lost or stolen drop bags or contents.
FORGOTTEN BAGS: Please note we do not ship or deliver forgotten drop bags. You can arrange to pick up forgotten drop bags from us if we have them.
Poles
Trekking poles are allowed, with cautious and courteous use.
Pacers
No pacers allowed.
Course Detail By Section:
Start to Aid Station 1 (Pine Marten): 5.7 miles. Starting at West Village, runners depart on a gravel service road for 0.3 miles, then veer RIGHT onto the Fly Creek Trail and begin their climb for 1.8 miles initially through mountain forest, cross a gravel service road and continue climbing on the Summit East Trail which soon emerges above treeline to reveal world-class views of the Three Sisters, Broken Top and expansive panoramas of the eastern high desert of Central Oregon. As the climb continues for a mile and a half, it become more rocky and somewhat more steep as it eventually gains the 9000’ summit of Mt. Bachelor. Take in the views on this incredible ascent! At the summit, the trail veers LEFT onto the West Ridge Trail, which is generally rather technical and rocky with lava rock… not the place you want to stumble. The West Ridge Trail descends for about 1.3 miles with incredible views to the west and north of the Cascade Lakes region below, then arrives on an old primitive road bed called Rope Tow Trail for .75 miles, before veering LEFT briefly onto Summit Crossover service road, arriving at Pine Marten lodge for aid station 1. Crew access available and bathrooms inside the lodge.
Aid Station 1 (Pine Marten) to Aid Station 2 (West Village): 4.5 miles. Runners depart Pine Marten aid station and descend on an extremely cruisy and smooth dirt Evergreen Trail for 4.5 miles with lots of broad switchbacks. Epic views of the Three Sisters and Broken Top dominate this descent before it drops back below treeline. Use caution as the trail crosses a couple downhill mountain bike trails as it winds its way back down to West Village for Aid Station 2. Crew access and bathrooms available.
Aid Station 2 (West Village) to Aid Station 3 (Outback): 8.1 miles. Leaving Aid Station 2 at West Village, the circumnavigation loop of Mt. Bachelor begins! The brief service road connects back onto Fly Creek Trail for 1.4 miles of climbing, then turns LEFT onto a service road for 1/4 mile, then turns RIGHT onto the Sunrise Getback for 2.2 miles, which is and old primitive bulldozer doubletrack rough doubletrack with a rollercoaster of punchy steep climbs and descents before mellowing out as is curves clockwise around to the south side of the volcano to a saddle junction at Tot Mountain onto West Catchline doubletrack service road. The technical and primitive Sunrise Getback transitions to more dirt surface with a gradual cruising decent over the next 3.5 miles, eventually rounding the south and west slopes of Mt. Bachelor before arriving at Outback ski lift for Aid Station 3. Vault bathrooms available.
Aid Station 3 (Outback) to Aid Station 4 (West Village): 5.0 miles. Runners depart Outback Aid Station on a gravel service road, then quickly turn LEFT onto the Lower Devecka’s Dive nordic trail for 1 mile, before a sharp RIGHT turn onto Metolius Windigo Trail. The Met Win Trail climbs up along a ridge for 0.7 miles, offering fantastic views of the Mt. Bachelor summit where runners were earlier in the day. The course then turns RIGHT onto the rolling Bachelor West Trail through mountain forest for 1.6 miles before turning RIGHT onto a dirt doubletrack toward the Nordic Center building, then veering RIGHT onto MTB XC Trail for 0.8 miles to the top of the tubing hill, then a dirt service road around the ski area parking lot and over to West Village for Aid Station 4 and the circumnavigation of Mt. Bachelor complete! Crew Access and bathrooms available.
Aid Station 4 (West Village) to Aid Station 5 (Pine Marten): 3.2 miles. Leaving Aid Station 4 at West Village, runners follow the gravel service road over to Fly Creek Trail and climb once again, this time for 1.8 miles and turn RIGHT onto the Summit Crossover service road. Summit Crossover traverse the north side of Mt. Bachelor at around 7500’ for 1 mile to Pine Marten lodge for the final Aid Station #5. Crew access available and bathrooms inside the lodge
Aid Station 5 (Pine Marten) to Finish: 4.5 miles. Departing the final aid station at Pine Marten lodge, runners get a second shred down Evergreen Trail for 4.5 miles with lots of broad switchbacks as it winds its way back down to West Village for the finish line under the summit of the mountain with cheering friends and family!
Cancellations
See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.
This event is located on the Deschutes National Forest. 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.