North Cascades Traverse Stage Run

Description:

September 7 – 9, 2023 – 80 Miles, 3-Day Stage Run

The North Cascades are considered the most rugged mountain range in the contiguous United States. Sharp rocky spires serrate wide swaths of permanent snow fields. Glaciers cling to the steep relief of valleys carved by their icy forebears. Valleys are filled with the ancient trees and the dense foliage of temperate rain forests. Rivers, creeks, and waterfalls cascade through these spaces giving this range it’s namesake. The network of trails threading through this landscape are a passageway through time and wild spaces. A crude reckoning of these paths can be counted in miles and days, but their true measure lies within a much more nuanced experience that is discovered through struggle, feeling, and connection.

Course Overview

Day 1: Run over Easy Pass, 23 Miles, Elevation Gain/Loss +4,051/-6,602

We meet runners at 7am at Bob’s Burgers and Brew in Burlington WA. After intros, we shuttle runners to the Easy Pass Trailhead in the North Cascades National Park. The first 3 trail miles of steady climbing brings one to Easy Pass and big vistas of glaciated peaks and the sweeping Fisher Basin. The trail continues west along Fisher Creek through majestic old growth forests and glacially-carved mountain valleys. These runnable trails continue to the shores of Diablo Lake and our Colonial Creek Basecamp. Waiting at camp will be each runner’s personal gear and plenty of hot food, showers, and drinks.

Day 2: Run over Whatcom Pass, 33 Miles, Elevation Gain/Loss +6,742’ / -6,010‘

After packing up personal gear in preparation for moving camp a short shuttle takes runners to the Ross Dam Trailhead. The trail quickly drops to cross Ross Dam and proceeds above Ross Lake before turning west into Big Beaver Creek and huge trees. Crossing forested Beaver Pass, runners descend to Little Beaver Creek where more magic happens. Deep in the heart of the North Cascades, this remote valley opens up to looming alpine peaks of the Picket Range. You’ll see and hear numerous tall waterfalls descending from the Challenger Glacier. Just when the trail appears to end at the head of the valley a stiff climb to Whatcom Pass provides an escape and views that few people get to enjoy. From the pass, runners follow Brush Creek to Graybeal Camp and meet our “sherpa” crew who have packed in dinner, tents, sleep kits, group gear, and a personal bag for a remote backcountry camp.

Day 3: Run Copper Ridge, 24 Miles, Elevation Gain/Loss +6,648 / -6,399’

After a backcountry camp morning brew session, runners head out for the final day. A few miles of soft trail brings runners to the junction with the Chilliwack River Trail, where you”ll turn right to get to the Copper Ridge trail. Here a mandatory but mellow river crossing is followed by 3,500′ of climbing on switchbacking trail. Atop the climb are some of the biggest and most inspiring ridgeline views of any trail in the North Cascades. The day finishes by crossing over Hannegan Pass and following the Ruth Creek drainage. At trail’s end a final basecamp of food, drinks, and celebration awaits.

Day 4: Shuttle Runners back to Burlington WA

Given the many variables that play into how long runners will take on the final day of running we plan for a 3 night camping and an early shuttle the next morning that arrives in Burlington by noon.