Backcountry Rise - Toutle, WA
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Event Overview
Backcountry Rise is a trail running event with three distances. It takes place in the Mt. Margaret Backcountry on the north side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, an area shaped by the 1980 eruption.
Courses and Location
The event features three loop courses: a 50K, a 20 Miler, and a Half Marathon. All courses are on singletrack trails and include climbs, descents, and ridgeline views. Organizers note the courses are remote, exposed, and challenging.
- 50K: A single loop with 7,600 ft of elevation gain and loss. Prior mountain ultra experience and specific safety gear are required.
- 20 Miler: A single loop with 4,800 ft of elevation gain and loss.
- Half Marathon: A loop around Coldwater Lake with 2,800 ft of elevation gain and loss.
The event is staged at the Mt. St. Helens Science & Learning Center, which serves as the start, finish, and base camp. This venue offers a dining hall, bathrooms, and views. Due to a road closure on Spirit Lake Highway, alternate courses are planned for the 2026 event. Details are posted on the organizer's website.
Additional Event Details
On the Friday before the race, there is an optional bib pickup, a spaghetti feed for participants and volunteers, and a trivia and game night. The event is organized by Daybreak Racing. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
