Lakes, larch, granite and goats! You name it, the North Cascades have it. Come experience it all first-hand at the inaugural Sawtooth Ridge 50M — a backcountry tour of all things wonderful and beautiful about the Cascade Range.
Like most Everlong races, Sawtooth Ridge starts and ends in the middle of nowhere, so be prepared for a challenging and remote experience. Runners should know what it means to take ownership of their wellbeing (and not comment on our obvious lack of an inflatable finish line arch). Places this beautiful shouldn’t be too easy to come by.
Fair Warning!
This race is rugged and remote — a “graduate” level endeavor. Three of the six aid stations are hike-in only, meaning volunteers are hauling in your gear. You won’t find any creature comforts on this course.
To run Sawtooth Ridge 50M, you must take complete ownership of your well-being. You should know how to “read” and navigate mountainous terrain, feel safe being alone for extended periods of time, and be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.
If this warning gives you heartburn, this race probably isn’t for you — at least not yet!
Course Map
Although we might be biased, we think this course is special. The 50-mile “figure eight” is about 70% single-track and 30% fire road. For the trail-running purists out there, we made sure the course doesn’t touch pavement. You’ll pass four mountain lakes and run above the tree line for about 25 miles. From atop Sawtooth Ridge, you can look down on Lake Chelan to the southwest.
Be prepared to encounter extended stretches of snow on the course! We recommend trekking poles and/or shoes with added traction. As race-day approaches, we’ll communicate snow volumes. In the meantime, you can check Rainy Pass SNOTEL readings. (While Rainy Pass tends to get more snow than the Sawtooth Ridge, it still provides a useful comparison.)
The Vertical
The loop course runs up and over the Sawtooth Ridge in the North Cascades, with Lake Chelan to the west and the Methow Valley to the east. 50M runners will ascend approximately 14,000 feet, and 50M runners will ascend about 9,000 feet.
The best part: from the high point of both courses, runners will cruise downhill nearly 6,000 feet (1,820 meters) to the finish line. Get ready for the best ten miles you’ve ever run!
Course Type: Figure eight
Surface: 70% single-track, 30% fire road
Gain/(Loss): 14,000’ / (14,000’)
Max Elevation: 8,111’
Avg. Elevation: 5,673’
Aid Stations: 6 including finish. 3 are hike-in for volunteers!
Cutoffs: 10 hours (mile 30) 18 hours (mile 50)
With Thanks
This race wouldn’t be possible without Rainshadow Running. As veteran PNW runners will note, the Sawtooth Ridge 50M traverses many of the same trails as an iconic Rainshadow race, Angel’s Staircase — one of the finest races in the country. We want to acknowledge, thank and celebrate James Varner and the entire Rainshadow family for helping us bring runners back to the Sawtooth backcountry.
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