Elkhorn Crest 50

Event overview

Elkhorn Crest is a trail ultra held in the Elkhorn Mountains near Sumpter, Oregon. The event offers two distances:

• 53 miles
• 50K

The 53-mile course follows the Elkhorn Mountain ridgeline across sub-alpine forests and grasslands, with an average elevation over 7,200 ft. The 53-mile course lists about 10,500 ft of climbing and almost 11,000 ft of descending, on a mix of smooth single track and rocky, technical sections. The 50K follows much of the same route from the old mining town of Bourne, includes a climb to the crest, an out-and-back to Lost Lake, and a loop around Summit Lake, with roughly 6,500 ft of gain and 7,100 ft of loss. The event is cupless to minimize waste.

Logistics and requirements

The finish area and packet pickup are at the Sumpter fairgrounds; bib pickup occurs race morning. All runners are shuttled from the fairgrounds to the start in Bourne; there is no runner drop-off at the start and crew cannot drop off runners. Registration includes shuttle to the start, a post-race meal, a finisher award, and free camping at the fairgrounds. Showers are available at the fairgrounds for a fee and require quarters. There are about 20 RV sites on a first-come, first-served basis with limited utilities.

Mandatory gear for 50-mile runners: ability to carry 1.5 liters of fluid, a jacket, an emergency blanket, and a headlamp with extra batteries. 50K runners must be able to carry 1.5 liters of fluid; other items are recommended. The event benefits local school and community groups and operates with a special use permit in partnership with Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Refund and cancellation policies apply. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.