2025 Backcountry Rise

🏔️ Race Overview

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

🏃‍♂️ Race Details

• Event Date: 2025-09-06
• Location: 19000 Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, WA
• Course Options: 50K and Half Marathon on Saturday, 20 miler on Sunday!
• Unique Features: Big climbs, sweeping descents, stunning ridgeline views of the surrounding Cascade Volcanoes.

🌲 Course Highlights

Backcountry Rise includes three different challenging and remote trail loop courses:

• 50K: Offers big climbs and stunning views of the Cascade Volcanoes.
• Half Marathon: The classic loop around Coldwater Lake.
• 20 Miler: Two days of remote trail running delights.
• Wildlife: Encounter resident mountain goats, elk, deer, bear, cougar, soaring raptors and many more.

🌀 Land Acknowledgement

We recognize that we gather for this event on the traditional, unceded lands of the Cowlitz people who have occupied and stewarded these lands for countless generations. We respect their right to self-determination and their sacred connection to these lands and waters.

🔗 More Information

For further details, visit the race registration page: 2025 Backcountry Rise.