Join high above the Rogue Valley for the Siskiyou Out Back Trail Run (The SOB)! We call ourselves a trail running festival because we aim for a festival vibe.
New this year, the events will be extended over two days, with the ultra distances on Saturday and the 15K and newest addition, a 8K on Sunday. Starting with dinner on Friday night, a film festival, and the ever popular camping in the Mt. Ashland parking lot, we roll right into the races early Saturday morning. The 100K is a surprisingly difficult run, with the cut-off now at 18 hours. Yes, we’ve extended it one hour!
Each run begins and ends at the Mt. Ashland Lodge, at an altitude of 6500 feet. From there the courses meander along the Pacific Crest Trail with breathtaking views of Mt. Shasta, Mt McLaughlin, and the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges. As you finish the ultra distances, a mug, medallion, and other swag await you. Massage therapists are available until 5pm–sorry 100K runners!
100K Course Description
Based on the first three years, this course is not a beginners 100K. Most runners find it challenging. It is a tale of two opposites. The first twenty-five miles are on the traditional SOB 50K course, mostly on the PCT. Care should be taken not to go out too quick on this high elevation, runnable section. Keep in the back of your mind, you still have a long way to go. Prior to Grouse Gap, the course veers north toward the Ashland Watershed, off the PCT and you quickly understand you are no longer on the PCT. You begin the remaining 37 miles with four miles of primitive ridge-top trail, followed by two miles of steep descent to the Potlicker aid station where your drop bag awaits. Poles are allowed from this point on. Single and double track await, expect some heat, , then a “bruiser of a climb” to the top of Mt. Ashland, followed by a quick descent to the finish at the Lodge. The lower elevations can be hot, and we suggest carrying upwards of two liters of water. During this section you will find four aid stations that will help you recover, rehydrate and fuel.
Total elevation gain is approximately 10,500 ft.
50M Course Description
The first part of the 50M follows the 50K course to the second time through the Willamette Meridian Aid Station. 50M runners will have drop bags available at Siskiyou Gap Aid Station for both directions. Leaving the Willamette Meridian Aid Station you will head north From there we head north on the Split Rock Trail. After 4 miles head down the Wagner Glade Trail to the aid station at 2060 (drop bags available), then down Potlicker. Potlicker takes you to Horn Gap Road. Head down the road to the Horn Gap Trail. Go up the Horn Gap Trail to 2060, then out 2060 to Time Warp Trail You will again pass the 2060 aid station where drop bags are available. Up Time Warp (yes, this is a bitch climb) to the top of Mt Ashland, then a quick jaunt to the finish at the Mt. Ashland Lodge.
Total elevation gain is approximately 8,400 ft.
50K Course Description
From the start at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area parking lot, the course heads west to a junction with fire road 40S15 (.4 miles) before intersecting with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The course then heads along the PCT to the Willamette Meridian aid station. From the aid station, the trail climbs to a saddle with views of beautiful Mt. Shasta, the peaks of the Marble Mountain wilderness and Mt. Eddy. The trail continues to another gap and then descends through Long John Saddle to the Siskiyou Gap aid station. If you left a drop bag for delivery, this is where you will find it. The next 3.4 miles will climb on Road 20 (dirt/gravel) to Wrangle Gap, then back on the PCT to Road 20 where you will turn right and proceed to the Jackson Gap aid station, the highest point on the course. Prominent peaks at this gap include Mt. Shasta, Mt. Ashland, Preston Peak (Siskiyou Wilderness), Red Buttes, and Mt. McLoughlin and the Crater Lake rim to the north. Leaving Jackson Gap, the course heads due north on Road 20 for 2.1 miles to Wrangle Gap, meets with the PCT and follows the trail around Big Red Mountain to the Siskiyou Gap aid station (3.4 miles). From Siskiyou Gap, the return is the same route as going out.
Total elevation gain is 4,200 ft.
15K Course Description
From the start at Mt. Ashland Ski parking lot the runners will be on Forest Service road for approximately a mile until reaching the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Once on the PCT you’ll stay on it, running 2 miles until the first aid station at Grouse Gap. From Grouse Gap the trail becomes a bit steep, but you’re only two miles to the turn around at Willamette Meridian. While water will be available at the turn around, the road beckons– stay on it until you’re back at Grouse Gap. From the Grouse Gap aid station, jump on the PCT and return the 3 miles you came to the finish.
8K Course Description
From the start at Mt. Ashland Ski parking lot the runners will head out on Forest Service Road 20 for a bit over a mile reaching the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at Grouse Gap. At Grouse Gap a water station awaits, directing you to the PCT, where you will be heading back to Mt Ashland. Follow the signs directing you back, up a slight hill to the parking lot.
The SOB is a non-profit organization and all profits benefit local non-profit organizations. In total, we have given almost $200,000 to various non-profits in the last ten years. In 2022 we contributed to Ashland Trails Outdoor School, Family Nurturing Center, Siskiyou Mountain Club, Come Back Alive a Ukrainian non-profit, and to our partner, Mt. Ashland Ski Area.
LESS
One of the best 50k courses around
This SOB 50k course offers some of the best scenery and single track trail you’ll find on the west coast and the race organization is stellar. We keep coming back … MORE
This SOB 50k course offers some of the best scenery and single track trail you’ll find on the west coast and the race organization is stellar. We keep coming back year after year.
Breathtaking Views of the Siskiyou Mtns
I'll be honest; this one had me scared before the start with a starting altitude of over 6,000 feet and 31 miles on the Pacific Coast Trail. It was definitely … MORE
I’ll be honest; this one had me scared before the start with a starting altitude of over 6,000 feet and 31 miles on the Pacific Coast Trail. It was definitely difficult and tested me to the limits, but it was worth it. There were areas filled with multi-colored wildflowers, some endemic to the Siskiyou Mountains, and beautiful vistas of Mt. Shasta and the Southern Cascades. Well stocked aid stations were about 5 miles apart. Despite the warnings on the website, the cutoffs for the 50K were not enforced. Aid stations and the finish were left open until all of the 50 mile runners finished, so the 50K runners had plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Despite this one pushing me to the limit, I think I would do it again.