Course

Certainly one of the most scenic trail races in the country, it's also one of the most remote. Located in the Okanogan National Forest and surrounded by North Cascades National Park and the Pasayten Wilderness you'll probably see more mountains than people.  Because of the remoteness and difficulty of the course the race is limited to 100 very experienced runners. 

Starting at an elevation of 4800ft at Rainy Pass on the North Cascades Highway(WA-20) the runners head north on the Pacific Crest Trail and run 31 miles to Harts Pass, turn around and run back to Rainy Pass. This section of the PCT is mostly above 6000ft so they'll be up running along the ridges and high passes with only a drop down to cross the head waters of the Methow River(low point of the course at 4300ft) in the middle of each out and back leg. 

For the most part the trail is fantastic single track and is well maintained and graded so footing is rarely an issue. And the roughly 12,000ft of elevation gain is made easier with gentle switchbacks making a lot of the course quite runnable. But don't let me fool you this is not an easy course and these mountains can be unforgiving. 

Since the course is so remote there is only one "bail out" point which is at the halfway mark in the race, Harts Pass because that's the only road you'll see all day! All of the other aid stations will be packed in by volunteers. We'll try to have the same great aid stations that you're accustomed to at our other races but runners will need to be some what self sufficient and prepared in case of bad weather or emergency. 

Mandatory Gear: Due to the remote nature of the course, the uncertainty of mountain weather, and because you'll be running 1.5 to 3 hours in the dark for your safety we require runners have with them the entire length of the race the following items: flashlight/headlamp(100 lumen or brighter), two 20oz water bottles or hydration pack, jacket, gloves and warm hat.  

Cutoff Time: 16 hours. This is a strict cutoff and not everyone will be able to make it, sorry. Cutoff at the halfway point will be at 12:30pm.  

Aid Stations: There will be five full aid stations for the 50k and two water only aid stations. The full aid stations will have water, GU Brew electrolyte drink, succeed electrolyte caps, GU, and a variety of the normal ultra aid station food(cookies, chips, candy, potatoes, fruit, etc.)
 

AID #1: Snowy Lakes Tr (mile 9.5)
AID #2: West Fork Methow Tr (mile 18.2)
Water Only #1: South Tatie Pass (mile 24.6)
AID #3: Harts Pass/Slate Pass Parking Area (mile 31.0)
Water Only #2: South Tatie Pass (mile 37.4)
AID #4: West Fork Methow Tr (mile 42.4)
AID #5: Snowy Lakes Tr (mile 51.1)

Drop Bags: Due to the remote nature of the course there will be no drop bags. 

Course Map: 

Elevation Profile: