Mad Meadows 50
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Mad Meadows - October 10, 2026
Mad Meadows is a trail running event near Leavenworth, Washington, offering 50K and 50M distances on a remote, high-elevation course. The route includes smooth single track, long technical sections, steep climbs, river-side trail, meadows, ridgelines, and areas with old-growth and golden larch trees. The course reaches elevations over 6,000 ft for the 50K and over 7,000 ft for the 50M. Elevation gain is listed as 7,000 ft for the 50K and 11,000 ft for the 50M.
- 50K - elevation gain: 7,000 ft
- 50M - elevation gain: 11,000 ft
Course and logistics
Both distances start on Chiwawa River Road and finish at Grouse Creek Group Campground. Key route features include Minnow Creek and Minnow Ridge (50K), a 7-mile flat section on Chiwawa River Road and climbs to Basalt Pass (50M), a graded ridge toward Garland Ridge with pumice slopes, Chikamin Ridge, Mad River and Mad Meadows, Alder Ridge, and a final single-track section back along Chiwawa River Road. Multiple aid stations are placed along each course; some are water-only and one aid station is a hike-in location with limited supplies.
The event is cupless; runners must carry refillable containers. Required gear includes a light rain/wind jacket, course GPS loaded on a device, and minimum water capacities: 2 L for the 50M and 1 L for the 50K. Drop bag locations and aid station services are specified by distance. The race operates under a special use permit with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. A free kid’s race of about 1 mile is offered as part of the event. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
