Sun Mountain 50M & 50K
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Sun Mountain 50M, 50K and 25K, Winthrop WA
The Sun Mountain races are trail events held on the sunny eastern side of the North Cascades near Winthrop, Washington, at the edge of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness above the Methow and Twisp river valleys. Routes travel through meadows, old growth forest and ridgetops with views of snow capped peaks and spring wildflowers. Trails are mostly gradual and smooth with some steep climbs and occasional technical sections.
The event offers these distances:
- 50M: 8200 ft elevation gain, 6 aid stations
- 50K: 5000 ft elevation gain, 4 aid stations
- 25K: 2300 ft elevation gain, 2 aid stations
Courses mix single track, wider trails, old ranch roads and short sections of pavement; the 25K includes about 2 miles of pavement and the 50M/50K about 4.8 miles total. The 50M and 50K share most of the first and final miles while diverging in the middle; the 25K uses portions of the same early course and includes a notable climb nicknamed the Beast.
Races use point to point routing with a lakeside finish at Big Twin Lake Resort Campground. All participants are shuttled from the campground to the start. Official camping is available at Big Twin with on-site amenities; volunteers receive complimentary camping. Dogs are not allowed on the course, though leashed dogs are permitted at the finish. The activity operates under a special use permit with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. For members of the local tribal nations named in the event materials, entry fees are waived. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
