Backcountry Rise - Toutle, WA

Backcountry Rise - Toutle, WA

Backcountry Rise is a trail running event staged at the Mt. St. Helens Science & Learning Center on the north side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, near Coldwater Lake. The venue functions as a base camp with a dining hall, bathrooms, interpretive areas, an expansive courtyard and pavilion space.

The race uses remote loop courses through the Mt. Margaret Backcountry with singletrack trails, high mountain lakes, creeks and ridgeline views. Courses feature sustained climbs and descents and exposed sections; wildlife may be present along the routes.

Distances

• 50K
• 20 Miler
• Half Marathon

The 50K is an advanced clockwise loop with roughly 7,600 ft of elevation gain and loss, about 99 percent singletrack, and three aid stations. Prior mountain ultra experience and specific safety gear are required. Qualifying criteria include completion of a trail 50K or the Backcountry Rise 20 miler, or a comparable endurance result; road races do not qualify.

The 20 Miler is a single clockwise loop with about 4,800 ft of gain and loss, roughly 98 percent singletrack, and two full aid stations. The Half Marathon circles Coldwater Lake with about 2,800 ft of gain and loss and two aid stations.

An ongoing Spirit Lake Highway road closure since May 2023 affects access to the Johnston Ridge aid station; an alternate course option will be used for 2026 to address safety and access. Daybreak Racing organizes the event and provides a cancellation policy. A community night on Friday includes optional bib pickup, a spaghetti meal and trivia and games. Registration closes Sun, Aug 23 at 11:59 PM PT. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.