Squak Mountain will take your breath away – both the views and the elevation gain! It’s not our steepest climb, but your quads will get a good workout, and it will be worth every step! While only a short drive from Seattle, Squak Mountain State Park feels like a wilderness …
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Squak Mountain will take your breath away – both the views and the elevation gain! It’s not our steepest climb, but your quads will get a good workout, and it will be worth every step! While only a short drive from Seattle, Squak Mountain State Park feels like a wilderness solitude. The park features miles of well-maintained trails and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Squak Mountain is arguably one of our most challenging trail races and a staff favorite! We’ve changed the course around a bit this year and we think you’ll like the differences. Instead of multiple confusing loops, we have simplified the courses. Although, it still isn’t super straight forward and while we mark our courses very well we encourage you to study the map before the event.
All distances will begin with a steady but significant climb. The 12k will then split off from the Half course and head towards the summit aid station, while the Half and 50k runners will continue on up to summit the Southeast Peak of Squak. The Half course will then follow trails along the north side of Squak before arriving at the Summit Aid for the first time. Then after completing another loop using some of the Chybinski Loop and summiting the West Peak of Squak the Half course will pass by the Summit aid stations again. All distances will descend west past the old historic Bullitt homestead remnants. This trail is super fun, fast, and technical!
While the Half and 12k runners will then be enjoying excellent post-race refreshments, the 50k runners will get to enjoy the Half loop again! Then after passing the lap aid station a second time they will head out again and do a 5 mile loop. It will travel the initial part of the first climb, cut west after 1000′ of gain, and link back up with the Bullitt Gorge Trail Descent all the way to a rewarding finish!
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Great as a first race
Running on really nice, well-maintained trails, through beautiful evergreen forest. A very enjoyable race, would run again, going for a longer distance. Great for a first race, just be ready … MORE
Running on really nice, well-maintained trails, through beautiful evergreen forest. A very enjoyable race, would run again, going for a longer distance.
Great for a first race, just be ready for vertical!
Challenge yourself to Squak Mtn
This is a tough but gorgeous course in all distances. If you're up for the challenge this is the one. The staff and volunteers are the BEST!!! The more Evergreen … MORE
This is a tough but gorgeous course in all distances. If you’re up for the challenge this is the one.
The staff and volunteers are the BEST!!! The more Evergreen Trail runs you do the more you get to know their amazing staff and how wonderful they are.
Love the handmade medals, each race has its own distinct characterization.
Tough race but so fun!!
This race is fantastic! The elevation is brutal but I loved how challenging it was. The 12K was a great one to "dip your toes in" and see what the … MORE
This race is fantastic! The elevation is brutal but I loved how challenging it was. The 12K was a great one to “dip your toes in” and see what the terrain is like; can’t wait to come back again for the longer distances. Aid station was great and volunteers were so nice. Love the little owl medallion I got at the finish! Highly recommend this race! 🙂
Squak Mtn Half Marathon
If you want a fun and challenging trail run, this one is for you. This course has elevation, descents and thankfully a 3-mile downhill finish. The staff and volunteers are … MORE
If you want a fun and challenging trail run, this one is for you. This course has elevation, descents and thankfully a 3-mile downhill finish. The staff and volunteers are GREAT!!
Beautiful, but challenging course
Wonderful event! Almost entirely single track on beautiful PNW trails. Well-stocked aid stations with great volunteers. But be prepared for lots of climbing! MORE
Wonderful event! Almost entirely single track on beautiful PNW trails. Well-stocked aid stations with great volunteers. But be prepared for lots of climbing!
Energizing mountain race with great crew
Really enjoyed this race. Despite the small parking area and directions that it may be full, it seemed like there was enough parking for the earliest race, the 50k, for … MORE
Really enjoyed this race. Despite the small parking area and directions that it may be full, it seemed like there was enough parking for the earliest race, the 50k, for everyone participating. I was worried I would have to park a mile down the road and walk there post-race!
The race itself was energizing. It took place on mostly single track and well manicured trails. They changed the course this year a little, and based on my training on last year’s course route and running this year’s course route, the new route was a bit better because there was less repetition in the route to hit 50k, and there were a couple parts that were less steep overall, i.e. taking a different route with more consistent elevation gain rather than as many punchy, “gain 1,000ft / mile” climbs, which I found more enjoyable.
The course was extremely well marked, it would have been hard to get lost. At every trail intersection there was a big arrow marking the correct direction and a big X marking the incorrect direction. Combined with the regularly hung ribbons along the trail, it would have been very hard to get lost. There was only one point on the backside that was iffy on the second lap because the hard veer to the right got a bit worn away. Someone, perhaps the race directors themselves, put some twigs across the trail at that point on the second lap indicating _something_ was up, and reminded me to turn. It was subtle enough that it would have been easy to run right past this turn in a weary second-lap state, so glad someone did that. 🙂
Views were very reasonable. One thing about the Squaks is that none of the peaks are above treeline, so the peak views are mostly just trees. There are a couple points on the east side where one can see adjacent Tiger Mountains and that’s a good view. But, views aren’t always about vistas, the trails were beautiful and some of the sweeping tree views as one comes along the trails are great.
This was a small race and so the minimal race swag was perfect. I loved the finishers refrigerator magnet, it was delightful. I do wish they didn’t run out of shirts for purchase in my size, but nothing you can do about that. I’ll buy one when I run this next year.
In a trail race, one should always bring specific nutrition if needed. I personally don’t like the taste and consistency of gels at all, and there are only a few flavors that don’t make me gag (but they do work very well for energy) like Gu Triberry and Gu Cola. They had Clif ones, which I do not like, but this is why I brought my own just in case they didn’t have the gel brand / flavors I prefer. Totally fine. However, bringing one’s nutrition only goes so far, solid food is needed with gels for just about everyone. I wasn’t super happy with the solid food options. At the Upper Aid, it was essentially single serving trail mix and on the second lap some tiny single-serving, clif-style bars, gummy bears, and bananas. Lower was exactly the same, though lower added small bags of regular potato chips. I don’t really consider any of that “real food” except the bananas. For a trail ultra, I would have expected some “real” food like PB&J sandwiches (individually wrapped uncrustables maybe? if not homemade), soft pretzels, cooked potatoes, watermelon, bacon, broth, grapes, etc. Totally get times of Covid not feeling comfortable providing, but this was my only constructive feedback about things to add in the race. It cramped my style a little (literally, some stomach cramps, some gastric distress) but the bananas really saved the day this time.
Overall I enjoyed this race a lot, the energy from the directors, the trails, and the difficulty. I will be doing this next year and running Squak more in the meantime as it was so delightful.
Challenging, but fun!
This race is tough to say the least. Lots of elevation and very technical in sections, but beautiful. Definitely not one you want to try to PR on, but if … MORE
This race is tough to say the least. Lots of elevation and very technical in sections, but beautiful. Definitely not one you want to try to PR on, but if you want a challenge you’ve got it. Got there fairly early so parking wasn’t an issue. Pre-race energy was good and the post race snacks/soup were splendid. The volunteers were great. The free photos are fun to have and the low profile finisher “medal” was perfect.
Chutes and Ladders!
Loved the challenge of this run up Squak Mtn! I was a last minute shift from the 12k to the Half ... and couldn't be happier with my decision. It … MORE
Loved the challenge of this run up Squak Mtn! I was a last minute shift from the 12k to the Half … and couldn’t be happier with my decision. It filled my bucket for sure – beautiful scenery, friendly staff, challenging course, fun swag, and tasty food upon finishing! Definitely on my list of races to register for the future. All smiles!
Want a difficult race? This is it
The course is tough, and got gorgeous trails to run. Elevation is high for a half marathon. There was one aid station which you pass twice for a half marathon. … MORE
The course is tough, and got gorgeous trails to run. Elevation is high for a half marathon. There was one aid station which you pass twice for a half marathon. It is a cup less race but they did have cups in case of emergency. I am not a fan of the snacks kept in races, so I skip commenting on that part as I carry my homemade energy balls. It was raining and drizzling the whole time and hence the trail was muddy, wet and challenging. But loved running in the mud. This is a state park and hence requires Discover pass for parking (parking is paid). I got a ride, so had no issues about how and where I parked. If you want a challenging half marathon or a 50K race, this is it. The photos were awesome. hats off to the photographers. Will I do this race again? The answer is Yes.
More like a 50 miles!
This is a challenging race! It looks more like a 50 miles than 50K as elevation gain is huge compared with others. I've done tenths of 50K's but none higher … MORE
This is a challenging race! It looks more like a 50 miles than 50K as elevation gain is huge compared with others. I’ve done tenths of 50K’s but none higher than 10K elevation gain. Unfortunately, it rained the whole time so scenery was not great. Also, water was coming down on trail which wasn’t pleasant at all. I’d prefer to have a fluid electrolyte drink instead of solid; that won’t dissolve fast in cold water… I had to eat them a few times which wasn’t a good idea. I loved the difficulty of race.
Good job organizers! trail was very well marked all the time.
Great course! Great staff! Great runners
I really enjoyed running this course! There was a lot of ascent but what goes up must come down right!? And that downhill was a blast! Very muddy towards the … MORE
I really enjoyed running this course! There was a lot of ascent but what goes up must come down right!? And that downhill was a blast! Very muddy towards the afternoon but added to the fun of the whole event.
beautiful, hilly, fun.
great volunteers and race staff, friendly photogs on course made for a very welcoming environment. squak mountain has some decent vert that gives the race a nice challenge in the … MORE
great volunteers and race staff, friendly photogs on course made for a very welcoming environment. squak mountain has some decent vert that gives the race a nice challenge in the first part and the downhill second half of the 12k course is super cruiser and fun.
This course is no joke... but so fun!!
This course was so much fun! Be ready for crazy climbs but also downhills that you can fly. It’s definitely worth the challenge to be out among the trees. Plus … MORE
This course was so much fun! Be ready for crazy climbs but also downhills that you can fly. It’s definitely worth the challenge to be out among the trees. Plus very unique swag!! They also did a great job with spreading out runners per covid protocols.
Killer Ascent with a Fun, Fast Descent!
What a fun, challenging race! While the rain made the trail a bit like chocolate pudding in some areas, this was so much fun. The 3+ mile climb to the … MORE
What a fun, challenging race! While the rain made the trail a bit like chocolate pudding in some areas, this was so much fun. The 3+ mile climb to the summit is brutal; however, had a blast letting the wheels spin on the flats and downhills. Running around the mountain to climb the summit a second time was energizing, and the descent to the finish after the West Summit was so much fun. Course was well-marked, and loved the snacks at the finish (the Lays Potato Chips were a winner for me). I like the wooden finisher swag, and the crew hosting the event is always very friendly and encouraging! Loving these Evergreen races!
Smooth Trails, Killer Vert
If you want a super challenging course but aren't crazy about technical trails, this is the race for you. I attempted the 50k but dropped down to the marathon after … MORE
If you want a super challenging course but aren’t crazy about technical trails, this is the race for you. I attempted the 50k but dropped down to the marathon after encountering some real challenges with body temperature on the shady side of the mountain. Race production was excellent as always, and the course was fantastic.