Kachess Ridge 50
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Kachess Ridge 50
Kachess Ridge 50 is a point to point trail race in the Cascade Range on August 22, 2026. The event offers two distances:
- 50K
- 50 Miler
The course begins near Lake Kachess and finishes at the Salmon La Sac SnoPark. The route climbs through forest into alpine meadows, follows Kachess Ridge with extended ridge running and panoramic views, and tops out at the Thorp Mountain Lookout at 5,853 ft. The terrain is remote with steep and technical trail sections. Runners travel along shorelines of Cooper Lake and the Cooper River on the lower sections of the course.
The 50K and 50M share much of the ridge and valley route; the 50M includes an additional figure eight loop in the French Cabin Creek area to add distance and elevation. Elevation gain is listed as approximately 6,500 ft for the 50K and 12,000 ft for the 50 Miler. Aid stations named in the course include Hard Cheese, No Name Ridge, Knox Creek, and Cooper; drop bag locations differ by distance.
This is a cupless event. Required gear differs by distance: 50K participants must carry a light rain or wind jacket, 2 L water capacity, and the course GPS on a phone or watch. 50M participants must also carry a headlamp. Shuttles transport runners to the start. Crew access is allowed only at designated aid stations and pacers are not permitted.
Finish line amenities include camping at the SnoPark and post-race food. Every finisher receives a handmade wooden finisher item and a race specific shirt. The event is held on lands historically associated with Np̓əšqʷáw̓səxʷ / Wenatchi, Yakama, and Coast Salish peoples and operates under a special use permit with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
