Kachess Ridge 50

Kachess Ridge 50

You won't want to miss this point-to-point adventure in the heart of the Cascades! Starting by Lake Kachess, you'll climb through big forest into alpine meadows. After a steady, long climb, you'll roll along Kachess Ridge with 360-degree views. Chikamin Ridge and Mt. Daniel loom large to the north, the mountains of Snoqualmie Pass to the west, and the Stuart Range to the east. Lake Cle Elum and Lake Kachess rest down in the valleys below. Topping out at the Thorp Mountain Lookout (5853ft), you'll be sad to begin your descent back to the valley below. But don't worry, camping, post-race food, and festivities await you at the finish line at Salmon La Sac.

This is a challenging and remote event! You should study the course and be able to carry enough water, snacks, and electrolytes for up to 12 miles between aid stations.

Course Description

Shuttles will take you to the starting line at Kachess Lake. Then you'll begin your climb up the Kachess Ridge Trail. After a grueling start with over 1300ft of climbing, the grade mellows out, but the climbing continues all the way to Hard Cheese Aid Station at ~7.5 miles. Here, the 50k distance continues along the ridge, while the 50M runners get their extra vert and distance in doing a figure 8 loop on winding trails in the French Cabin Creek area.

After the extra loop, the 50M and 50k courses rejoin for a climb to the Thorp Mountain Lookout, grab your token, and enjoy the final 5 miles of rolling ridgeline before coming into the No Name Ridge Aid Station. Then you'll begin your steady descent into the Cooper River Drainage. After passing the Cooper Aid Station, you'll head up the valley, running along the shores of Cooper Lake and then the Cooper River. After one more punchy climb, you'll join up with an old forest road and flow back down to Cooper Aid Station, continuing to follow the Cooper River to its confluence with the Cle Elum River. Then it's just a few miles to the finish line!