Event Overview

Welcome to a majestic backcountry rising from the ashes of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. With its sapphire lakes, rugged, toothy peaks and wildflower-blanketed slopes, the Mt. Margaret Backcountry on the northern blast zone side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument provides an unforgettably unique, remote and beautiful trail race experience. The power and resilience of Mother Nature is truly on full display here in the backcountry. 

Backcountry Rise includes three different challenging and remote courses: a 50K and Half Marathon on Saturday, a 20 miler on Sunday! The 50K and 20 miler offer big climbs, sweeping descents and stunning ridgeline views of the surrounding Cascade Volcanoes. The Half Marathon is the classic loop around Coldwater Lake. High mountain lakes, rushing creeks and abundant wildlife dot the landscape, including resident mountain goats, elk, deer, bear, cougar, soaring raptors and many more. 

Land Acknowledgement: We recognize that we gather for this event on the traditional, unceded lands of the Cowlitz people who have occupied and stewarded these lands for countless generations. We respect their right to self-determination and their sacred connection to these lands and waters.

Sponsors & Partners

Registration

Laughs, hugs and high fives are always free! The registration fee includes a beautiful, fully marked race course (by the Race Directors), incredible staging venue, parking, chip timing and live results, aid stations, professional medical support (not volunteers), radio communications, post-race meal and beverages, custom finisher award, professional photography and several other essential services and requirements we don't need to mention. 

The registration fee does not include a race shirt, hat or other add-on sales. Please review the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy if you have questions about withdrawing from the race. 

Pro/Elite Runners

We reserve a limited number of entries for professional athletes, but they go quickly. Email us if you earn all or some of your living racing on trails, have a competitive resumé and an active social media presence. We can’t consider elite entry requests less than 30 days before the race or for already sold out races.

Event Schedule

Friday, September 5, 2025

All Friday PM activities inside the Science & Learning Center:

• Optional Bib Pickup: 5:30PM-6:30PM in main entry hall

• Spaghetti Feed: 6:00PM-7:30PM in cafeteria

• Game Night: 7PM-9PM, board games in the cafeteria

Saturday, September 6, 2025

50K:

• Bib Pickup & Check-In: 5:30AM-6:45AM

• Race Start: 7:00AM

• Finish Line Cut-Off: 6:00PM (11 hours)

Half Marathon

• Bib Pickup & Check-In: 7:00AM-7:50AM

• Race Start: 8:00AM

Evening Activities!

• Coldwater Lake Plunge: 6:30PM, meet at Coldwater Lake Boatlaunch for a dip in the lake!

• Game Night: 7:30PM-9PM in the Science & Learning Center

Sunday, September 7, 2025

20 MILER:

• Bib Pickup & Check-In: 5:30AM-6:50AM

• Race Start: 7:00AM

• Finish Line Cut-Off: 2:00PM (7 hours)

• Event Conclusion: All participants depart by 4:00PM

Getting Here

The event is located entirely within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington State. All races start and finish at the spectacular Mount St. Helens Science & Learning Center, which serves as our base camp and gateway into the Mt. Margaret Backcountry on the northern portion of the Monument. The Science & Learning Center was built as the original volcano observatory on the Monument, perched on the slopes above Coldwater Lake and oriented toward the Mount St. Helens caldera and blast zone… a strikingly beautiful base camp location!

Directions

The Mount St. Helens Science & Learning Center is located at 19000 Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, WA 98649 which is near milepost 43.3 on State Hwy 504 (Spirit Lake Hwy), just before the turnoff to continue down to Coldwater Lake. The nearest town is Toutle, WA.

• Google Map directions to the Science & Learning Center: Seattle and Portland. Allow 2 hours drive time from Portland or 3 hours from Seattle.

• Driving From Seattle: Follow I-5 S to exit 63. Take State Hwy 505 East and follow for 16.4 miles, then turn east onto State Hwy 504 East for 28.2 miles to the Science and Learning Center.

• Driving From Portland: Follow I-5 N to exit 49 in Castle Rock. Follow Hwy 504 East for 43.1 miles to the Science and Learning Center.

Nearest major airports are Portland (PDX) and Seattle/Tacoma (SEA).

Accommodations

STAY WITH US! Parking, camping, and use of the Science & Learning Center is included in the race registration fee. For those planning to stay both Friday and Saturday night, we ask that you sign up to volunteer at the event on a day you’re not racing.

The Science & Learning Center is a US Forest Service facility, with running water and flush toilets (bathrooms available 24-hours during the event) and plenty of day-use indoor space. No shower facilities are available or food for purchase besides the post-race meal. Be sure to bring enough food for yourself and crew/supporters. Please note there is no gasoline or electric vehicle chargers on site. Please plan ahead :)

CAMPING OPTIONS at SCIENCE & LEARNING CENTER:

1. Car camping in the large paved parking lot. Many RV/trailer parking spaces (no hookups) are available in the upper lot areas. 

2. Walk-in field camping with 33 tent sites for 100 people total-- first come, first serve only. Please do not ask us about reservations.

HOTELS: Numerous options available in the I-5 freeway corridor, 50-60 minutes from the start/finish. There are some Washington State Park camping opportunities in the Silver Lake, WA area along Hwy 504 as well. 

Race Day!

Weather

Check the latest local weather forecast HERE. Be advised, the event takes place in a mountain environment, where weather conditions can change rapidly. While we generally have favorable running conditions on race day, please come prepared for all types of weather! (See mandatory race gear below.)

Sunrise/Sunset Info

• AM Twilight Starts: 5:41AM

• Sunrise: 6:14AM

• Sunset: 8:11PM

• PM Twilight Ends: 8:43PM

Bib Pickup & Check-In

Bring your mandatory gear with you in order to receive your race bib. Runners pick up their race bibs and swag inside the main pavilion hall of the Science & Learning Center before their race as follows: 

• 50K from 5:30AM-6:50AM on Saturday

• Half Marathon from 7:00AM-7:50AM on Saturday

• 20 Miler from 5:30AM-6:50AM on Sunday (or from 12PM-6PM at the Daybreak merch tent on Saturday)

Post Race Celebration!

Stay and enjoy the Science & Learning Center while we cheer on all the race finishers! A post race meal and beverages are available after the races for all participants and volunteers. Family and friends are welcome to eat and drink for a $10 contribution per person, payable at the merchandise table. 

Awards

• All participants receive a custom award as they finish their race.

• A raffle of some awesome sponsor swag will be held while runners are out on the course! Prizes will be given to raffle winners as they finish their race.

General Info

Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any trail race and we’d love your support! Sign ups for available volunteer tasks are available here! Thank you!

Course Preview

We will be hosting a course preview run and Nike Trail shoe demo at Coldwater Lake Picnic Area on Saturday, June 8th. RSVP here to join us and for full details.

Experience & Gear

Due to the remote, exposed, mountainous nature of the course and significant distance between aid stations, all runners must have the following minimum gear during the race, and 50K runners must meet the experience requirement prior to race day. The 20M does not have an experience requirement. All required gear must be shown at check-in in order to be given a race bib:

• 50K:

  • EXPERIENCE: Any prior trail ultramarathon race finish OR Backcountry Rise 20 miler finish prior to race day. This requirement does NOT have to be met in order to register, but must be met prior to race day. We take the experience requirement seriously, as should every runner— This is an ADVANCED level race and runners need to be prepared for the physical and mental demand it will place upon them. Prior experience being self-reliant for significant distances and time in the mountains is essential for success, therefore road races and triathlons do not meet the experience requirement, regardless of distance.

  • GEAR:

    • MINIMUM capacity of 35-40 ounces (1 liter) of fluids/water.

    • Lightweight jacket

    • Emergency blanket

    • Safety whistle

• 20 Miler: 

  • GEAR:

    • Capacity for 12-20 ounces of fluids/water or more.

    • If the official weather forecast calls for potential precipitation and/or thunderstorms on race day, a lightweight jacket and emergency blanket will also be required.

• Half Marathon

  • GEAR:

    • Capacity for 12-20 ounces of fluids/water or more.

Beneficiary

A portion of race proceeds go to the Mt. St. Helens Institute, whose mission is to advance understanding and stewardship of the earth through science, education, and exploration of volcanic landscapes. 

Photography

We are proud to have James Holk taking all official event photography!

Race Swag

Our race t-shirts and hats are from Territory Run Co., based in Portland, Oregon! Race shirts and hats are not included in the race entry fee. Shirts and hats must be picked up at race check-in or packet pick-up, no exceptions. All unclaimed shirts will be sold on race day. 

Training Plan

This is a tough race, hands down. Get the training prep needed for a successful race from Wy'east Wolfpack! They have first-hand knowledge of the courses and provide exceptional training and coaching services. 

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is granted by a Special Use Permit through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.