55K

The Tillamook Burn 55K is a beautifully tough, heavily forested lollipop loop course, run almost entirely on singletrack trail. The route traverses the Oregon Coast Range mountain divide from Reehers Camp to University Falls and back, involving 35 miles, 6900 ft. of ascent and 6900 ft. of descent. There are 5 aid stations along the course. 

The trails are rolling and hilly with a generally soft dirt surface offering great footing, although there are some technical sections with rocks and roots, as well as some long climbs and descents. Runners will cross many small rushing streams, pass by multiple waterfalls, enjoy miles and miles of remote creekside trail and some nice territorial views.  

Race Day Schedule

• RACE DATE: Sunday, May 17, 2026

• START/FINISH: Reehers Camp in Tillamook State Forest

• CHECK-IN: 6:00-6:45AM

• START TIME: 7:00AM

• FINAL CUT OFF: 5:00PM at Reehers Camp (refer to aid station chart below for on course cutoffs)

• BONFIRE: ALL DAY!

Course Map & Profile

• MAP: Click on the course map image to open 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.

• ELEVATION CHANGE: The course has 6900’ of ascent and 6900’ of descent.

Aid Stations

The 55K has five aid stations. Bell Camp #1 is self-service with Neversecond gels and hydration drink and water only. All other aid stations are full service and well supported with enthusiastic and experienced volunteers, including Bell Camp #5. Be sure to express your appreciation for their support during the race. Most aid stations will also have professional medical personnel present with a full compliment of emergency response and first aid equipment. 

All Daybreak races are CUPLESS. Be sure to bring your own drinking vessel/cup for liquids such as soda at aid stations.

All aid stations will be well stocked with: Neversecond gels and hydration drink, water, soda, PB&J sandwiches, cookies, various fresh fruit options, potato chips, gummi snacks, a variety of other ultra fare and basic first aid supplies.

Course Detail

Start to Aid Station 1 (Bell Camp): Runners depart Reehers Camp on Gales Creek Trail, cross the Nehalem River bridge then begin climbing some small rolling hills for the first 1.5 miles. This is followed by a rowdy 1450' climb in the next 2 miles up to Bell Camp Aid Station. 

Aid Station 1 (Bell Camp) to Aid Station 2 (Storey Burn): Runners depart Bell Camp on Gales Creek Trail and get a long, rolling descent for 6 miles on scenic creekside trail, crossing many small streams. The course then continues on Storey Burn Trail, with a rolling 900' ascent over 2 miles to Storey Burn Aid Station. Drop Bags and Crew available. 

Aid Station 2 (Storey Burn) to Aid Station 3 (University Falls): Leaving Storey Burn Aid Station, runners travel 2 miles on Storey Burn Trail through multiple gullies with small stream crossings, some awesome views across the Drift Creek canyon offering awesome views of Larch Mountain (one of the highest points in the Oregon Coast Range), then a swift descent, passing under the Hwy 6 bridge. Runners then veer left onto Gravelle Brothers Trail to begin the 8 mile loop segment commonly called the “Historic Hiking Loop”. The trail climbs for half a mile, crosses a main gravel forest road, then continues for another half a mile before turning hard right onto Nels Rogers Trail. Runners continue climbing for another mile to a sweet southerly viewpoint, then a big flowing descent for another mile, then continue on Wilson River Wagon Road along flowing, rolling trails for the next few miles, crossing several gravel forest roads intermittently before reaching University Falls Trailhead and Aid Station 3.

Aid Station 3 (University Falls) to Aid Station 4 (Storey Burn 2): From University Falls Aid Station, runners continue the loop segment for 1/4 mile on Gravelle Brothers Trail, then do a short out n back segment to view University Falls waterfall, a course highlight. Picking back up on Gravelle Brothers Trail for another 2 miles, runners cross a log footbridge over the Wilson River, then finish the loop segment back at the junction with Storey Burn Trail. Follow Storey Burn Trail for 2 miles to get back through Storey Burn Aid Station for Aid Station 4. Drop Bags and Crew available.

Aid Station 4 (Storey Burn 2) to Aid Station 5 (Bell Camp 2): Departing Storey Burn Aid Station, runners continue northbound on Storey Burn Trail for an awesome 2.5 mile descent to reach the junction with Gales Creek Trail. From there, Gales Creek Trail slowly rises and become more steep for a 6 mile climb back up to Bell Camp for the final aid station, this time staffed by enthusiatic volunteers and a full compliment of aid station foods and hydration/beverages.

Aid Station 5 (Bell Camp 2) to Finish (Reehers Camp): Runners depart Bell Camp on Gales Creek Trail for a fantastic 3.5 mile descent offering a mix of forest singletrack and expansive views across the Coast Range mountains to the Cascade volcanoes of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier on clear days. Gales Creek Trail brings runners back to Reehers Camp for the finish. 

Crew

Crew and spectators are welcome at the Start/Finish area at Reehers Camp. Limited access is available at Storey Burn Aid Station (Aid #2 & #4). Parking inside Storey Burn Trailhead is for race officials and aid station volunteers ONLY. Crew parking is allowed at signed designated locations AFTER the trailhead entrance along one side of Storey Burn Road. No crew parking before the trailhead entrance. Please park cautiously and respectfully, ensuring emergency egress along the roadway is maintained at all times.

Driving directions to Storey Burn Aid Station from Reehers Camp (35 minutes/17 miles travel time): 

• Google Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/a6JRwnHakL1UtjeK6

• Travel east on Cochran Rd for 2 miles to Timber

• Turn RIGHT on Timber Road for 6.6 miles to Hwy 6

• Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 6 for 5.9 miles

• Turn RIGHT onto Storey Burn Rd for 2 miles. 

• PARK only at available roadside pullouts along Storey Burn Road AFTER the trailhead entrance and not inside the trailhead. Parking in ditches and other areas without a wide pullout is not allowed and you will be promptly asked to leave by the Sheriff or race officials, or risk being towed and your runner disqualified. 

• WATCH FOR RUNNERS ON THE ROAD while driving.

Drop Bags

Drop bags will be available at Storey Burn Aid Station #2 & #4.

• SIZE: Drop bag size must be no larger than a shoe bag, should be water resistant and made of durable material. Bags that are too large or heavy will not be accepted and will not go the requested aid station. 

• LABEL: Write your bib number and name, in large bold writing on your drop bags. 

• RETURN: Please consider that drop bags will not be returned back to your race staging area until the aid station shuts down after race sweepers arrive. Have your crew grab your drop bags from the aid station 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.

Pacers

The event permit does not allow pacers.

Dogs

No dogs are allowed to accompany runners on the course.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are allowed.

Weather

Check the latest local weather here.

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is located entirely on the Tillamook State Forest, managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry. In accordance with State and Federal law and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. ODF is an equal opportunity provider and employer.