Headwaters Trail Runs

Headwaters Trail Runs

Headwaters Trail Runs are trail running events held in the Klamath Mountains west of Mount Shasta City, California. The events include three distances: a 52K, a 34K, and a 10K trail run. The runs are named after the headwaters of the Sacramento River.

The 52K and 34K races are loop courses run on single-track trails and dirt forest roads through rugged mountains. Both races use parts of the historic Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail. The 52K has approximately 8,000 feet of elevation gain, and the 34K has approximately 4,000 feet of elevation gain.

The 10K race takes place on the Lake Siskiyou Trail, which circles the forested shores of Lake Siskiyou. This course has approximately 400 feet of total elevation gain.

The backdrop for the runs includes Mount Shasta and Mount Eddy. The event includes aid stations and a volunteer staff. It is organized as a project of a charitable organization. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the local high school cross-country team.

All participants receive a race t-shirt, a finisher's medal, and a post-race meal. The event is cupless, so runners must carry their own means to drink from aid stations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.