A tough volcanic loop with 4,800 ft of gain — no experience required, but bring your legs
Other trail races within 83 miles
The Backcountry Rise 20 Miler is a demanding clockwise loop through the northern blast zone of Mount St. Helens, earning its remote reputation with 4,800 feet of gain over 20.6 miles of predominantly backcountry singletrack. The route climbs steeply up the Coldwater Trail, passes through the Coldwater Junction turnaround near the Boundary Trail, then descends via South Coldwater Trail back toward Coldwater Lake. The final miles traverse the Hummocks Trail — rolling terrain through remnant volcanic debris mounds and wetland ponds created during the 1980 eruption — before a final climb back to the Science & Learning Center. No experience requirement, but this is an unambiguously tough course.
Some ultra experience recommended
Toutle, WA, United StatesAugust 29, 2026
Backcountry Rise 20 Miler is a loop trail race in Toutle, WA, United States, held on August 29, 2026. The course covers 20.6 miles, climbs 5,740 ft, and has a 6h cutoff.
| Location | Mile | Elevation | Cutoff | Crew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Start/Finish - MSH Science and Learning Ctr Start | 0.0 | 3,071 ft | — | Crew |
Aid 1 - Coldwater Creek Aid Station | 4.6 | 2,582 ft | 1h40m9:40 AM | |
Turnaround - Coldwater Junction Landmark | 8.8 | 5,085 ft | — | |
Aid 2 - South Coldwater Aid Station | 14.4 | 2,579 ft | 4h15m12:15 PM | CrewHike in |
Finish - MSH Science and Learning Ctr Finish | 20.6 | 3,071 ft | 6h2:00 PM | Crew |
Aid station details for this race are still being filled in. Cutoffs and access rules come from the race’s own published information and can change — check the official race details before planning around them.
Sign in for race-day weather at every station, points of interest, segment-by-segment analysis, pacing, and to save this race to your calendar.
Camping is included in the race registration fee. Car camping in the large paved parking lot is free. Field camping (tent sites) is $20/night, reservations through Mt. St. Helens Institute (Friday night only, 33 sites for 100 people). No hookups. RV/trailer parking available in upper lot. Facility has running water and flush toilets (24hr during event). No showers or food for purchase on-site besides the post-race meal.
Upper-elevation sections near the Boundary Trail are exposed to rapidly changing mountain weather.
No required gear specified
No recommended gear specified
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