20 Mile Course

We will be implementing an ALTERNATE COURSE for this year’s race, due to an ongoing road closure of Spirit Lake Hwy, in place since a May 2023 mudslide, preventing drive-up access to Johnston Ridge Aid Station. The alternate course is also amazing, incredibly scenic and challenging.

The 20 Miler alternate route consists of one big clockwise loop with an out and back near Coldwater Peak, complete with breathtaking views throughout the course. Runners will be treated to incredible vistas of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Hood, as well as the majestic Mt. Margaret Backcountry and its many lakes, creeks, craggy ridgelines and miles of sweet single-track.

Total elevation gain is 4,800ft and loss is 4,800ft.  Approximately 95% of the course is on single-track trails. The course has two aid stations and a self serve water station for resupply.  

Race Day Schedule

• RACE DATE: Sunday, September 7, 2025

• BIB PICKUP/CHECK-IN: 5:30-6:45AM

• BRIEFING: 6:50AM at Start Line

• RACE START: 7:00AM

• CUT-OFF 1: 8:45AM at Coldwater Creek Aid Station

• CUT-OFF 2: 12:15PM at South Coldwater Aid Station

• FINAL CUT-OFF: 2:00PM at Finish Line

Mandatory Gear

Due to the remote, mountainous nature of the course and significant distance between some aid stations, all 20-mile participants must bring capacity for AT LEAST 20 ounces of fluids/water during the race, which will be verified at race day check-in. A lightweight jacket is also recommended in case of inclement/shifting weather, a common occurrence in the region. 

Course Map & Profile 

• INTERACTIVE MAP: Click HERE for an interactive map of the alternate course in Caltopo.

• GPX DATA: Click HERE for a .gpx data file of the alternate course with elevation data included.

Aid Stations

There is one hike-in aid station and one full service aid station on course. The aid stations are staffed by enthusiastic and experienced volunteers. Be sure to express your appreciation for their support during the race! 

All Daybreak races are cupless, so be sure to bring your own cup for liquid at aid stations.

All aid stations will be well stocked with water, Gnarly Nutrition Fuel2O energy drink, SPRING Energy gels, PB&J sandwiches, soda, various fruit options, chips, gummi snacks, a variety of other ultra fare and basic first aid supplies.

Course Detail

Start to Aid Station 1 (Coldwater Creek): 5.0 miles. Starting from the courtyard of the Science & Learning Center, runners make a quick clockwise loop of the parking area to thin the group before joining the Elk Bench Trail for a .75 mile singletrack descent down to Coldwater Lake and a left turn onto the Lakes Trail. Runners follow the serene, rolling Lakes Trail along the lake shore to Aid Station 1 at mile 5.0. Watch for soaring bald eagles scanning for fish and beavers in their lodge near the upper reaches of the lake.  Overall, this section is very runnable with some brief rocky areas. Be sure to top off your fluids and thank these volunteers for their hike-in effort! Also, did you know Coldwater Lake used to be the Coldwater Creek canyon, but filled into a lake after the creek outlet was dammed by the massive landslide during the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens?!

Aid Station 1 (Coldwater Creek) to Aid Station 2 (South Coldwater): 9.8 miles. Upon leaving Aid Station 1, runners cross a footbridge over Coldwater Creek and immediately begin a stout 2600’ climb up the Coldwater Trail over the next 4.3 miles. This trail section is a mix of runnable and hilly trail down low, with some steeper rocky sections and loose, volcanic soils up high. This section begins with incredible views up the Coldwater Canyon and its surrounding jagged peaks, followed by sweeping panoramas of Coldwater Peak, Mt. St. Helens and its blast zone in the upper reaches. Pause along the way to scan for large herds of elk in open areas below the trail, and mountain goats on the rocky ridges. Upon reaching the Boundary Trail 4.3 miles from Aid Station 1, runners reach the Coldwater Junction Turnaround Point. The course descends the way it came up back down to the junction with South Coldwater Trail. The course turns LEFT at the trail junction onto the South Coldwater Trail, then rolls for approximately half a mile, passing some old logging equipment relics that were destroyed during the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. After passing the old logging gear, the trail makes a fantastic descent with views across Coldwater Lake, entering alder forest (and shade!) for a couple miles, then opening up before reaching South Coldwater Trailhead and Aid Station 2. This will be a substantial aid station a portable toilet available, crew and spectators welcome (as a one mile hike-in on along the Spirit Lake Hwy road shoulder from the Hummocks Trailhead).

Aid Station 2 (South Coldwater) to Finish: 5.8 miles. Departing South Coldwater Trailhead, runners follow the road shoulder of the closed Spirit Lakes Hwy road shoulder for 1 mile, then veering LEFT into Hummocks Trailhead. Staying to the right, runners pick up the scenic Hummocks Trail loop, continuing on this rolling trail through a mix of verdant forest, gravel rock mounds and ponds. These areas are remnant chunks of Mt. St. Helens during the 1080 eruption that landed in this area, creating the mounds and dips that became new wetland ponds. The course veers LEFT onto Boundary Trail and returns through the Hummocks Trailhead and back onto Spirit Lake Highway shoulder for a short distance, then turns RIGHT into the Coldwater Lake Boatlaunch entrance road. Passing through the boat launch day use area, the course reconnects onto the Lakes Trail. Runners then follow the Lakes Trail for 0.8 miles (completing the loop) to the junction of Elk Bench Trail, turning RIGHT then climbing for the last 0.8 mile, 500’ back up to the Science & Learning Center for the race finish! This climb is short but will suck whatever remaining energy you have— keep grinding, knowing what you’ve just accomplished!

Trekking Poles

Poles are allowed.

Crew

Crew and spectators are welcome at South Coldwater Aid Station and the Start/Finish area only. Due to Spirit Lake Highway closure, access to South Coldwater Aid Station is by parking at Hummocks Trailhead and walking the 1.1 miles east along the closed Spirit Lake Hwy road shoulder to South Coldwater Trailhead.

Drop Bags

There will be no drop bags available.

Pacers

Our permit does not allow pacers.

Dogs/Pets

No dogs or other pets are allowed on course. Leashed, friendly dogs are allowed at Johnston Ridge aid station.

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is granted by a Special Use Permit through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Service, 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.