Devil’s Gulch is a challenging race with three distances: a half marathon, 50 Miler and 100 Miler. This race was created by Jessie McClurg of Banshee Running, and Evergreen Trail Runs is honored to be continuing what she started.
This course is different from most of our races–it’s hot, located in the hot but beautiful Pondoroso pine forests of the eastern Cascades. You’ll get unending views, wicked gulches, and huge rock hoodoos! Plus, an actual restaurant to serve you some post-race food and beverages. The 100 Miler is a tough one, with lots and lots of vert and heat. The 50 Miler is….also challenging, just a half-portion of crazy. For those who have a more balanced relationship with running, we’ve got a half-marathon too.
This is not a course to underestimate! While the views are spectacular and the geology fascinating, be prepared for long, steep climbs and descents on technical and rocky trails. There are also some very pleasant portions of this course like the nicely graded climb up the Mission Creek trail.
All distances will start with a climb up through the forest from the base area of the Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort. At the first break in the grade, the Half Marathon course will begin a fun descent down to meet the Mission Creek Trail and head back to the finish line at the ski area. The 50-mile and 100-mile runners will continue climbing up towards Mission Peak. After a quick summit of Mission Peak, you’ll head back down the way you came and off towards Mt. Lillian along Tronson Ridge. Here is where the views and the geology are the most magnificent!
The 100-mile and 50-mile courses begin to diverge at Mt. Lillian Aid Station. The 50-mile will continue down Tronson Ridge, while the 100-milers will descend towards Blewett Pass for a technical 8-mile lollipop in an old burn. It will feel extremely remote and technical but also features beautiful meadows and wildflowers. The loop will bring you back to Mt. Lillian Aid Station, where the 100-mile course rejoins the 50-mile on Tronson Ridge. After the Tronson Aid Station, both distances climb up and over Red Hill before descending rolling trails to the Mission Creek Aid Station.
From Mission Creek Aid, the 50-mile and 100-mile part ways. The 50-mile begins the smooth but steady climb (complete with many creek crossings to cool off and enjoy) back to the Mission Ridge base area. While the 100-mile runners head over into to Number 2 canyon. At Horse Lake Aid Station, 100-mile runners can join their pacers for the first time, yay! You’ll then climb up a beautifully graded single track to the summit of Horse Lake Mountain. If you’re keeping a 17-20min/mile pace you just might catch the beautiful sunset over the enchantment plateau at the summit! You’ll then enjoy a lovely, flowing ridgeline descent back to Horse Lake Aid Station.
With this lollipop completed, the course returns to Peavine Canyon, where you’ll climb back up and over towards the Devil’s Spur Aid Station. After cresting the ridge, a dusty, switch backing decent provides some nice rock hoodoo views before another grueling climb brings you to the Devil’s Spur Aid Station. From the aid station you’ll begin an incredible fast, flowing decent down Devil’s Gulch and back to the Mission Creek Aid Station. Prepare to get wet feet as you will cross Mission Creek multiple times. After waving goodbye to the aid station, the course begins the final climb back up the Peavine Trail. This is the only section of trail you will repeat on the course, so if you missed the Hoodoos in the dark, you’ll get another shot for some cool geology. After finishing the climb and passing through Devil’s Spur again, you’ll enjoy some flat and descending trails back to Mission Ridge and some well-earned post-race food and beverages!
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Fun Cascadia adventure!
LOVED this race. The scenery and terrain were true mountain bliss, from talus fields to shaded forest. I was initially very intimidated by this course, as I don't have a … MORE
LOVED this race. The scenery and terrain were true mountain bliss, from talus fields to shaded forest. I was initially very intimidated by this course, as I don’t have a ton of trail running experience. It was challenging, but also very fun! All the runners were friendly and chill, and the race organizers and volunteers were so friendly, celebrating every runner at the finish line. We will make this event a family tradition! Edited to add- LOVED the finish “medal”, which was a handmade, wooden ram magnet. I believe one of the race organizers makes these himself. Very cool and special!!
Incredibly Beautiful Course
Incredibly beautiful course, hot too. It starts out at about a mile of elevation; so be sure to do some runs or hikes above sea level and try to get … MORE
Incredibly beautiful course, hot too. It starts out at about a mile of elevation; so be sure to do some runs or hikes above sea level and try to get in some heat adaptations too. Should have brought trekking poles for the first half of the half, no falls; but I slowed to keep from joining the injured, then they can be stored for the second half of the half. The volunteers and crew are so supportive, it doesn’t matter that I come if I come in last, they will be there and cheer and make me feel like a star.
I wish I had the strength to go the 50 miles route just for the experience and views; but the half is pretty special too. It’s hard! But so worth it
A stunning and challenging course
The beauty of the course cannot be overstated. Starting and ending at the Mission Lodge is lovely as you are able to camp both the night before and after the … MORE
The beauty of the course cannot be overstated. Starting and ending at the Mission Lodge is lovely as you are able to camp both the night before and after the race, there are restroom facilities, and a restaurant! The aid station volunteers were the best, including a dedicated group cheering on finishers all through the night. It was hot and managing the heat was no joke, but the course offers water drop stations in between full aid stations plus the final long stretch has cold water crossings that are not to be passed up. If you’re looking for a challenging and gorgeous course then look no further.
Beautiful and challenging
This race has gorgeous scenery and challenging climbs. The half marathon course is fun, with a variety of terrain. Great volunteers, and the finishing medallion was very cool. I have … MORE
This race has gorgeous scenery and challenging climbs. The half marathon course is fun, with a variety of terrain. Great volunteers, and the finishing medallion was very cool. I have to say though … I saw awesome looking t-shirts and was told they were $5. Cool! Then realized they only said “50 & 100 mile”. It made me feel like half finishers didn’t do enough to earn a shirt. I’d love to see that change next year! Great experience overall, though.
Hot and challenging
Pack lots of water and have fun. Awesome runnable trail. The views are great the whole way with some very cool rock formations. Aid stations had plenty of good food … MORE
Pack lots of water and have fun. Awesome runnable trail. The views are great the whole way with some very cool rock formations. Aid stations had plenty of good food and very nice volunteers. I’ll probably do it again.
Stunning Course
Very very hot with long stretches (11-14 miles) between aid. Carry more water than normal (more than 2 liters). Water drops were helpful but could have been spread out more, … MORE
Very very hot with long stretches (11-14 miles) between aid. Carry more water than normal (more than 2 liters). Water drops were helpful but could have been spread out more, a few were just a couple miles past an aid station. Later in the race there was a stream to filter water from. Views were absolutely stunning and volunteers were amazing. Would love this race to grow 🙌🏼
Washington state's Badwater!
Jaw-dropping scenery, the gamut of trail types, phenomenal volunteers and the best race creation team! Oh... and a race to challenge Captain America! MORE
Jaw-dropping scenery, the gamut of trail types, phenomenal volunteers and the best race creation team! Oh… and a race to challenge Captain America!