Description:

Welcome to a majestic backcountry rising from the ashes of the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. With its sapphire lakes, rugged, toothy peaks and wildflower-blanketed slopes, the Mt. Margaret Backcountry on the north side of the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument provides an unforgettably unique and stunning trail race experience. The power and resilience of Mother Nature is truly on full display here in the backcountry.

Backcountry Rise includes two different challenging and remote loop courses: a 50K, a 20 miler and half marathon. Both distances start and finish at the spectacular Mt. St. Helens Science & Learning Center, itself originally designed as an observatory, perched on the slopes above Coldwater Lake. Each race offers big climbs, sweeping descents and stunning ridgeline views of the surrounding Cascade Volcanoes, high mountain lakes, rushing creeks and abundant wildlife, especially resident mountain goats, elk and many more.