Trail Half Marathon

13.1 miles / 2,400’ of gain / 99% singletrack

Let’s welcome the return of our classic trail half marathon to Mt. Hood! The course offers magnificent views and an amazing loop route, starting and finishing at Mt. Hood Meadows main lodge. The course travels through a diverse range of subalpine forest and wildflower meadows, including 2 miles on the iconic Timberline Trail. With 2,400' of elevation gain and 2,400' of descent over 13.1 miles at an average elevation of 5400’, the challenge, like the scenery will take your breath away!

The course is 99% dirt singletrack. There is one significant climb, mixed with fun, fast descents and rolling hills. Spectacular scenery abounds around almost every corner, with Mt. Hood summit views wildflower meadows along the Timberline Trail, southern views down the Cascade Crest to Mt. Jefferson, the rim of Clark Canyon looking across to Gnarl Ridge, as well as an up-close pass by refreshing Umbrella Falls. There are several small stream crossings and meadow springs to hop over as well.

Race Day Schedule

• SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025

• Bib Pickup & Check-In: 7:00AM-8:15AM (at Mt. Hood Meadows)

• Start Time: 9:00AM

• Podium Awards Ceremony: 12:30PM

• Finish Line Cut-Off: 2:30PM. 5.5 hours to Finish

Course Map

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

• INTERACTIVE MAP: Click HERE for a course map in Caltopo, where you can change layers, zoom in and out, etc.

• GPX DATA: Click HERE for a .gpx data file of the course.

Elevation Change

The course includes approximately 2,400' of ascent along with 2,400' of descent. 

Aid Station

There will be one aid station offering water, energy drink, energy gels, fruit, pbj sandwiches and other aid station fare. 

All Daybreak races are cupless, so be sure to bring your own refillable cup or bottle for filling up liquids at aid stations. Staying properly hydrated during the race is essential, so please plan to bring your own hydration supply with you on course (hydration vest, belt, handheld bottle are all great options), and plan to utilize the aid station to top off your fluids.

Crew & Spectators

Crew are welcome Umbrella aid station and the Start/Finish area for runner support. Crew and spectators must follow race rules and directions given by an event official, medical personnel or aid station captain.

Spectators ARE ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED TO CHEER FROM ANYWHERE ON THE COURSE, however no aid or support may be provided outside an aid station and start/finish area.

• Umbrella Aid Station is accessible ¼ mile down the main entrance road from the bottom of the Mt. Hood Meadows parking area. For runner safety, please walk along the main road down to the aid station, as we do not want to clog the road crossing with vehicles.

Course Detail: 

Start to Aid Station 1 (Umbrella): This section is 7.2 miles long, with the first mile a rolling climb, then 4 miles of scenic descent, then 2.2 miles of rolling climb. Runners start at the Mt. Hood Meadows main lodge and depart on a gravel service road for a couple hundred yards, then turn onto the newly constructed Beargrass Trail and begin a steady climb for a mile, then a rolling descent through intermittent meadows and forest before turning RIGHT to begin the big loop portion of the course. After the junction, the course makes a ripping 3 mile rolling descent with sweeping views across open meadows down to Elk Meadows Trailhead. Departing Elk Meadows, the course crosses a paved roadway two times (look both ways before crossing, as this can be a busier summer trailhead) while on Sahale Falls Trail for a couple miles of rolling ascent, then turns LEFT onto Umbrella Falls Trail, eventually passing its namesake waterfall. After passing the waterfall on the footbridge, runners turn LEFT, then continue along Umbrella Falls Trail for 1/4 mile, crossing the paved Mt. Hood Meadows entrance road to reach Umbrella Aid Station at mile 7.2.

Aid Station 1 (Umbrella) to Finish: This section is 5.9 miles long. Departing Umbrella Aid Station, running make a rolling climb up Umbrella Trail for 1.5 miles to the junction with Timberline Trail. This section offers beautiful views of the Wy’east summit and mix of deep forest and lush wildflower meadows. Turning RIGHT at the trail junction onto Timberline Trail, the course continues straight on Timberline Trail, crossing a gravel service road, hopping over several small streams and springs through vibrant wildflower meadows and strips of forest for 2 miles. Continuing east on Timberline Trail, runners then turn RIGHT onto Jack’s Woods Trail and descend along the rim of Clark Canyon where Heather Creek and Clark Creek merge, far below the Newton Clark Glacier. The trail hops over a small stream, skirts a ski lift gravel service road and continues on a forested trail back to the trail junction completing the big loop, then returns to the finish. Runners turn RIGHT at this trail junction, followed by a brief climb through a mix of meadows and forest, then a fun half mile descent down to Mt. Hood Meadows (yes, you will hear and see us cheering for you down below!), where runners finish at the lodge patio in full view of the mountain with friends and family!  

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is located on the Mt. Hood 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.