Brown Mountain Bigfoot Chase

Premiering in fall 2022, this epic run circumnavigates the ancient Brown Mountain volcano with frequent views of Mt. McLoughlin. The course includes the wide, flat, and smooth High Lakes Trail, the winding and rocky Pacific Crest Trail, and primitive and beautiful Brown Mountain Trail. Although not significantly difficult, technical, nor vert-filled, this course does require a bit of resiliency and self-reliance. The middle of the course is remote and there are 9 miles between aid stations on this section, with no options to bail-out or turn back. It is essential that runners carry required gear and sufficient fluids/fuel.

The race will start and finish at BSA Camp McLoughlin. The course will start with a few hundred yards of singletrack (Boy Scout Trail) and then head north for a short bit on gravel FS Rd 3640. The next 5 miles are wide, flat, and fast on the High Lakes Trail. You’ll reach the first of only 2 major aid stations at mile 6 during this section. A short jaunt through the Fish Lake Resort and you’ll climb a few hundred feet on a horse trail back to the High Lakes Trail. Make your way back east to the intersection with the PCT (mile 8.5), where you’ll find a water-only aid station. The next 7.25 miles on the PCT cover a variety of terrain, but be sure to look over your shoulder while climbing the flank of Brown Mountain, as you’ll get some of the best views of Mt. McLoughlin that you can find! Descending quickly down the back of Brown Mountain you’ll find a nice rolling section and then turn onto a quick out-and-back on the Brown Mountain Trail. Here you’ll reach the second major aid station at Blue Lick Rd. (mile 17.3). Turn back the way you came, now traveling north on the Brown Mountain Trail. After about a mile of flat you will start your last major climb, to the highest point on the course at 5,644′. At mile 21 it’s almost all downhill back to Camp McLoughlin via the Boy Scout Trail!

Total Elevation Gain: 2,279′

Aid Stations:

Pillette: Mile 6 (full aid station)

PCT: Mile 8.5 (water only)

Blue Lick: Mile 17.3 (full aid station)

Last Chance: Mile 20.7 (water only)

The Strava route can be found at https://www.strava.com/routes/2898330948063923456