Welcome to a majestic backcountry rising from the ashes of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. With its sapphire lakes, rugged, toothy peaks and wildflower-blanketed slopes, the Mt. Margaret Backcountry on the north side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument provides an unforgettable trail race experience. The …
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Welcome to a majestic backcountry rising from the ashes of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. With its sapphire lakes, rugged, toothy peaks and wildflower-blanketed slopes, the Mt. Margaret Backcountry on the north side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument provides an unforgettable trail race experience. The power and resilience of Mother Nature is truly on full display here in the backcountry.
Backcountry Rise includes challenging and remote loop courses: a 50K loop and a 20 mile loop (the 50 miler is on hiatus for 2024). Each race offers big climbs, sweeping descents and stunning ridgeline views of the surrounding Cascade Volcanoes, high mountain lakes, rushing creeks and abundant wildlife.
Each race distance starts and finishes at the Mt. St. Helens Science & Learning Center, itself designed as the original volcano observatory. Perched on the slopes above Coldwater Lake and oriented toward the Mount St. Helens caldera, the venue offers a family-friendly base camp location.
The 50K is on SATURDAY of event weekend, starting at 7:00AM. The course is very challenging, remote and exposed with some rugged sections. It is an advanced-level 50K consisting of one epic clockwise loop on 99% backcountry singletrack. Total elevation gain is 7,600ft and loss is 7,600ft. Prior mountain ultra experience and safety gear is required – see website for details. Three aid stations are offered.
The 20 miler is on SUNDAY of event weekend, starting at 7:00AM. The course consists of one big clockwise loop and 4,800ft of gain and 4,800ft of loss. Approximately 98% of the course is on single-track trails. This is a very challenging course with some sections being remote and very exposed. The course has two full aid stations.
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What a challenge!
This is as tough as everyone says. It’s largely self supported do to the remoteness. Bring a filter. Drink early and often since there’s no real water along the ridge … MORE
This is as tough as everyone says. It’s largely self supported do to the remoteness. Bring a filter. Drink early and often since there’s no real water along the ridge line. Views are incredible! We had quite a bit of wildfire smoke but Mount St Helen’s is something else!
And watch out for the Yellowjacket nests.
Beautiful backcountry single track
Beautiful course showcasing excellent single track on northside of Mt St Helens. Views of surrounding iconic volcanic mountains from ridgelines to picturesque scenes of mountain lakes below, lots of comments … MORE
Beautiful course showcasing excellent single track on northside of Mt St Helens. Views of surrounding iconic volcanic mountains from ridgelines to picturesque scenes of mountain lakes below, lots of comments from fellow runners about the beauty of the course and the 50k is even better scenery wise. However to get to that beauty means lots of vert (4800 feet of ascent for the 20 mile loop and 8000 feet for the 50k). Having the start/finish at the Mt. St. Helens Science & Learning Center perched on the slopes above Coldwater Lake one gets a sense of the power and scope of the 1980 eruption if you haven’t been here before. The start/finish is great for logistics/crew with plenty of parking and even pre race night camping and pasta feed. I had a great race personally but would definitely due the 50k course next time given the scenery.