50K Course

We will be implementing an ALTERNATE COURSE for the this year’s race, due to ongoing road closure blocking access to Johnston Ridge Observatory. An ongoing road closure of Spirit Lake Hwy is currently in place due to a May 2023 mudslide preventing drive-up access to Johnston Ridge Aid Station. Rest assured, our alternate course is equally astounding, scenic and difficult.

The 50K consists of a single clockwise loop offering seemingly endless breathtaking views along entire course, and mile for mile is truly one of the most scenic, remote and unique trail races in the North America. Runners are treated to panoramic views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood, as well as the majestic Mt. Margaret Backcountry's many high lakes, creeks, craggy ridgelines and miles and miles of sweet single-track trails. 

THIS IS A DIFFICULT RACE. This very challenging and remote mountain trail race should not be taken lightly and is an advanced-level 50K course (see experience requirement below). Much of the route is on remote, narrow, steep backcountry trails with minimal access and rugged sections seeing infrequent maintenance. There is also significant distance between aid stations. Race participants who insufficiently train and/or inadequately hydrate or fuel during the race are jeopardizing their safety and unfairly overburdening the event’s volunteers and safety resources—you have been warned. Bottom line, only attempt this race if you’re in top fitness, very self-reliant and prepared for this remote mountain challenge… this course humbles everyone who attempts it.

Total elevation gain is 7,600ft and loss is 7,600ft.  Approximately 98% of the course is on single-track trails and three aid stations are offered. 

Race Day Schedule

• RACE DATE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2025

• BIB PICKUP/CHECK-IN: 5:30-6:45AM

• BRIEFING: 6:50AM at Start Line

• RACE START: 7:00AM

• CUT-OFF: 4:45PM at South Coldwater Aid Station

• FINAL CUT-OFF: 6:00PM at Finish Line

Mandatory Experience & Gear

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. At registration, runners will enter an official ultramarathon race result, or link to a mountain ultra style endurance effort (such as Strava) demonstrating their experience. DO NOT underestimate the difficulty, exposure and remoteness of this course…you have been warned.

GEAR: All 50K runners must also have the following MINIMUM gear during the race, which will be verified at check-in. Being on course without the following minimum gear is grounds for disqualification from the race: 

• Capacity for at least 35-40 ounces (1 liter) of hydration/water. This is a MINIMUM amount- you will need every drop between Aid 2 and Aid 3!

• Lightweight jacket

• Safety Whistle

• Emergency blanket

• Water filter (recommended)

Course Map & Profile

• ALTERNATE COURSE INTERACTIVE MAP: Click HERE for an interactive course map in Caltopo.

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

Aid Stations

The ALTERNATE COURSE includes three aid stations, with all but the last aid station being remote hike-in locations. The aid stations are staffed by enthusiastic and experienced volunteers. Be sure to express your appreciation for their support and considerable effort getting all the supplies, food and water onto the course.

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 bears, a variety of other ultra fare and basic first aid supplies. 

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

Course Detail

Start to Aid Station 1 (Coldwater Creek): 5.0 miles. Starting from the courtyard of the Science & Learning Center, the course skirts the parking area to thin the group before dropping down the Elk Bench Trail for a 0.8 mile descent to Coldwater Lake and a left turn onto the Lakes Trail to begin the loop. Runners then 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 with narrow singletrack. Be sure to top off your fluids at the aid station (you will want every drop unless you’re taking a filter to refill at creeks along the way) 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 deep lake after the creek was dammed by the massive landslide during the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens?!

Aid Station 1 (Coldwater Creek) to Aid Station 2 (Bear Camp): 10.0 miles. Three words best describe this 8 mile section: hilly, remote and wild! Upon leaving Aid Station 1, runners immediately feel the solitude of the Mt. Margaret Backcountry surround them, as the Lakes Trail winds and climbs nearly 3000’ over the next 4 miles along the Coldwater Creek canyon wall. Look for herds of elk down along Coldwater Creek, and mountain goats on the rocky ridges ahead as you approach Whittier Ridge. This trail section is a mix of runnable and steep narrow dirt trail, with some sloughed rocky sections and heights that require caution. Just after reaching Snow Lake, the climb crests at Pleasant Pass, a gap in the teeth of Whittier Ridge and the gateway to the resplendent backcountry lakes region. Over the next 4 miles, runners will pass numerous stunning sapphire lakes and rushing creeks (a great resupply if you brought a water filter), witness the recovering forest and go gaga over the abundance of colossal huckleberries. After passing your last opportunity for filtered water refills at the creek outlet of Grizzly Lake, runners begin a 1 mile climb to Bear Pass, which offers the most iconic and most photographed view of Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake. By now, if you didn’t fill up at Aid Station 1 and didn’t bring a water filter, you’re on the struggle bus. From Bear Pass, the course descends a few hundred yards to the junction with Boundary Trail and the end of Lakes Trail. Runners veer right onto Boundary Trail and continue westerly for another steady 1 mile climb, arriving at Bear Camp for Aid Station 2 at mile 15. Be sure to top off your hydration here and thank these volunteers for their epic effort hiking everything in! There is an outdoor toilet at Bear Camp as well.

Aid Station 2 (Bear Camp) to Aid Station 3 (South Coldwater): 12.4 miles. Leaving Aid Station 2, runners face a long, exposed ridgeline thrill ride. This segment of the Boundary Trail is completely dry, with no water resupply opportunities. HOWEVER, more than anywhere else on the entire Monument, this section offers the most iconic panoramic views of Mt. St. Helens, its blast zone, Spirit Lake, as well as the surrounding Pacific NW Cascade peaks and volcanoes. The first mile is a gradual climb to Mt. Margaret, then 4 miles of rolling ridgeline trail to the unbelievably beautiful St. Helens Lake and Coldwater Peak, which you will summit via a short out and back section! After the Coldwater Peak summit, the course returns and continues westbound on the Boundary Trail for a brief 0.5 miles, then veers RIGHT onto the Coldwater Trail, a rolling descent with expansive views of volcano-baked Blastzone Butte high above the Coldwater Canyon. The course turns LEFT at a trail junction onto the South Coldwater Trail (#230A), 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 3. This will be a substantial aid station with drop bags and 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 3 (South Coldwater) to Finish: 3.5 miles. Departing South Coldwater Trailhead, runners follow the road shoulder of the closed Spirit Lakes Hwy road shoulder for 1 mile to Coldwater Lake Boatlaunch, then pass through the boat launch day use area and reconnect onto the Lakes Trail. Runners then follow the Lakes Trail for 0.8 miles (completing the loop) to the junction of Elk Bench Trail for the last 0.8 mile, 500’ climb 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

Drop bags will be available at South Coldwater Aid Station.

• SIZE: Drop bag size must be no larger than a shoe bag, should be water resistant and made of durable material. Bags that are too large or heavy will not be accepted and will not go the requested aid station. 

• LABEL: Write your bib number and aid station name in large bold writing on your drop bags. 

• RETURN: Please consider that drop bags will not be returned back to your race staging area until the aid station shuts down after race sweepers arrive. Have your crew grab your drop bags from the aid station if possible.

• CONTENTS: Do not store valuables in drop bags! The race is not responsible for missing, damaged, lost or stolen drop bags or contents.

• FORGOTTEN BAGS: Please note we do not ship or deliver forgotten drop bags. You can arrange to pick up forgotten drop bags from us if we have them.

Pacers

The event permit does not allow pacers or dogs.

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.