14K Hills Climb

The Wy’east Trailfest 14K Hill Climb course offers an amazing and STEEP mountain race on volcanic alpine trails, starting and finishing at Mt. Hood Meadows around 5400’ elevation, climbing up to 8000’ on the volcano before descending back down for the finish. The course is as grueling as it is beautiful.

Elevation change involves a stout 2,700' of gain and 2,700' of loss in just 8.9 miles (99% of the climbing is in the first half of the course), crossing a full spectrum of PNW terrain, from forested, smooth dirt singletrack to steep, technical, exposed and sometimes scrambly, lava rock trails. Spectacular views abound from start to finish!

Race Day Schedule

• SATURDAY JULY 20, 2024

• Bib Pickup:

  • Friday: 4:30PM-6:30PM OR

  • Race morning: 5:30AM-7:50AM

  • Race Start: 8:00AM

• Podium Awards Ceremony: 12PM

Course Map

• MAP: Click on our custom course map image to open or 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.

Elevation Change

Approximately 2,700' of ascent and 2,700' of descent. The lowest point is the start line at 5400’ and the highest point is 8000’.

Aid Stations

There are 2 aid stations on the course, staffed with experienced, enthusiastic volunteers plus professional medical personnel. Hydration and fuel options include: Gnarly Nutrition Fuel2O energy drink, water, and Spring Energy gels. All Daybreak races are cupless, so be sure to bring your own cup for liquid at aid stations. 

Crew & Spectators!

Crew are welcome and encouraged at the Ski Patrol Aid Station! Spectators ARE ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED TO CHEER FROM ANYWHERE ON THE COURSE as well, however no aid or support may be provided outside the aid station and start/finish area.

Ski Patrol Aid Station: We may have permission to send folks up on the Mt. Hood Express ski lift to the aid station, or hike up 2 miles on the “South” service road, accessed near the race start from the west side of the main Mt. Hood Meadows parking lot. Crew should give themselves 30-45 minutes to hike up to the aid station. Bring your own hydration and snacks for yourselves :)

Drop Bags

None available for the 14K race.

Poles & Gaiters

Trekking poles are allowed and shoe gaiters are generally encouraged, particularly on the upper zone of the course where it is more technical, steep, rocky with intermittent loose volcanic scree encountered.

Course Detail By Section:

Start to Aid Station 1 (Ski Patrol): 2.2 miles. Runners start on the Mt. Hood Meadows Sun Deck, then follow the service road to wrap around to the front of the Mt. Hood Meadows lodge, behind Sahale Lodge and a short connector trail to Umbrella Trail. Climbing Umbrella Trail for 1 mile, the trail reaches Timberline Trail where runners veer right very briefly, then veer an immediate left to gain a rocky service road for another 1 mile steep climb. The road becomes more and more primitive, rocky and steep during this ascent, passing through wildflower meadows and tree islands with spectacular views down the Pacific Crest to Mt. Jefferson, Three Sisters and Broken Top volcanoes. The service road eventually passes near Mazot (a popular watering hole for skiers during winter season), then climbs a final curve to reach Ski Patrol Aid Station.

Aid Station 1 (Ski Patrol) to Aid Station 2 (Ski Patrol 2): 3.2 miles. This segment is the crux of the course and BY FAR the most EXPOSED, STEEP and TECHNICAL zone, but also offers unparalleled views. Leaving Ski Patrol Aid Station, runners head up the Wizard Trail, climbing 1500’ in 1.6 miles, immediately entering the alpine zone where the trails are much rockier and primitive- pay attention to the course flagging, as the trail can appear faint and sometimes turn abruptly after a sharp or steep turn. The final section to climb is a scree field with numerous short switchbacks up to the spine of the moraine. This is the 8000’ level and the turnaround point on the course, where the peak of Mt. Hood surprisingly doesn’t seem quite so high since it’s barely more than 3000’ to the summit!! Punch your race bib at the station there and begin the epic descent back down to Ski Patrol Aid Station. Keep your descent under control, as to keep your feet beneath you and your front teeth intact :)

Aid Station 3 (Ski Patrol 2) to Finish (Mt. Hood Meadows): 3.1 miles. Departing Ski Patrol for the final Aid Station, runners descend Lower Wizard Trail, then fly straight across Timberline Trail to the top of the Stadium ski lift, veer right down a short gravel service road straight onto another trail, descending the remaining 1.5 miles of the course on rolling downhill through a mix of meadows and forest, before the final descent to Mt. Hood Meadows (yes, you will hear and see us cheering for you!), where runners finish at the lodge Sun Deck under the summit of the mountain with friends and family!

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is located on the Mt. Hood 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.