Volcanic 50

Volcanic at Mt. St. Helens

Volcanic is a trail race held on Mt. St. Helens in Washington, near Cougar, with the start and finish at Marble Mountain Sno Park. The event takes place August 1–2, 2026 and offers two distances:

• 50K (organizer describes the route as 32 miles)
• 25K

The 50K course largely follows the single-track Loowit Trail and circumnavigates the mountain. Terrain includes lava, boulder and pumice fields, river crossings, blast zone and dense forest, with steep drainages that include rope-assisted sections. The organizer lists about 7,400 ft of elevation gain and loss for the longer route. The shorter course includes many of the same features and about 3,200 ft of gain and loss.

Logistics, requirements and services

Capacity is listed as 50K = 285 runners and 25K = 325 runners. For the 50K, entrants must have completed a prior trail 50K or the Volcanic 25K in a previous year and must provide a link to that result during registration. Mandatory gear for 50K runners includes at least 40 oz of water, a lightweight water-resistant jacket, an emergency blanket and a whistle.

Camping is allowed at the start/finish the night before; tents must be placed in front of or behind vehicles. There is no running water at the sno park. The organizer’s cancellation policy: more than 30 days before the race yields a 50% credit toward a future race; 30 days or less yields no credit. Post-race provisions include food and drinks, finisher pint glasses and awards for top finishers and age groups. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.