Rogue Gorge 12K

October 19, 2025

registration opens in april
 
 

12K

The Rogue Gorge 12K is a fast and scenic lollipop-style course along the rim of the Upper Rogue Wild & Scenic River, involving 7.5 miles with 330 ft. of ascent and 330 ft. of descent.

The course is composed of gently rolling and flat terrain with a few punchy short climbs and dips with one moderate climb. The trail surface is a mix of smooth dirt with intermittent rocks and roots, as well as sections of technical basalt lava rock that will demand a runner’s attention.

Race Day Timeline

  • RACE DATE: Sunday, October 19, 2025

  • START/FINISH: Union Creek Day Use Picnic Shelter

  • CHECK-IN: Opens at 7:45AM

  • START TIME: 9:30AM

  • FINISH CUT OFF: 1:00PM at Finish Line (3.5 hours total).

Course Map & Profile

  • MAP: Click on the custom course map image we created to open a high resolution copy. 

  • INTERACTIVE MAP: Click HERE to view the course in Caltopo, where you can zoom in, change the layers (such as satellite view, etc.).

  • GPX DATA: Click HERE to download.

  • ELEVATION CHANGE: The course has 330’ of ascent and 330’ of descent.

Aid Stations

There are no aid stations on the 12K course, so be sure to carry any hydration or nutrition you would like to have. We will have water and Gnarly Nutrition’s Fuel₂O energy drink available at the start/finish area to fill up at.

Course Detail

Runners start at the Union Creek Day Use picnic shelter, then depart on a narrow gravel service road for a few hundred yards up to a short segment of trail connecting with the Rogue Gorge Day Use area. Then runners make a hard left onto the Rogue Gorge Trail with amazing views of the river churning through a deep, narrow rocky chasm (which is a collapsed lava tube from the volcanic eruption that formed Crater Lake 7700 years ago!).

The course continues along the Rogue Gorge Trail, following the eastern bank of the river downstream through gigantic old growth forest for three miles of gently rolling trail, then veers right at a junction to cross over a beautiful wooden footbridge above a whitewater section of the river. Shortly after the footbridge crossing, the course turns left at another junction onto the Upper Rogue River Trail (URRT).

The course continues downstream on the URRT, makes a solid ascent of a couple hundred feet, then quickly descends back down along the western bank of the river over one mile before reaching the Natural Bridge viewing area, a course highlight. Here at Natural Bridge, the entire river gets swallowed into an underground lava tube and springs back up to the surface a hundred yards downstream… it’s even cooler to see than it sounds!

After crossing the second major footbridge in the Natural Bridge area, the course is back on the east side of the river. Runners continue straight at a trail junction along a brief paved path leading to the Natural Bridge Day Use area, now back on the Rogue Gorge Trail. Runners travel past the Natural Bridge Day Use area, up alongside the river past Natural Bridge Campground on the Rogue Gorge Trail for a bit over a mile and will stay to the right past the other big wooden footbridge they crossed over the river earlier in the race- stay right and do not cross the footbridge this time. The Rogue Gorge Trail follows the river for another 1.5 miles, then enters the Union Creek Campground.

At the Union Creek footbridge, the course veers right (do not go over the footbridge this time) and travels upstream along the south side bank of Union Creek through the campground on the Union Creek Trail for just over half a mile. The Union Creek Trail goes over the footbridge to the Union Creek day use picnic shelter and amphitheater for the finish, right back where the day started!

Spectators

Spectators are welcome to view and cheer along the course at Natural Bridge Day Use Area, but may not supply runners with aid.

Weather

Check the latest local weather here.

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is located on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. 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.