Snoqualmie Pass Trail Runs

Two separate races! + bonus Friday warm up run all on the Cascade Crest 100 course. Come do one, or the double, or shorter distances in the mountains

Snoqualmie Pass, WA
 August 02/03/04, 2013!

A Grass Roots Community Run. Just
a group of friends running in the mountains.
Come run on the Cascade Crest 100 course, train at elevations of 3000 to 5000 feet, enjoy some fantastic scenery, & do a long run in the mountains.
Stay at Guye Cabin at 3000' on Snoqualmie Pass.
 

Friday Warm-up Run - Goat Peak  

Easton to Goat Peak out and back 14 Mile Trail Run

August 02, 2013  3 pm start (5pm turnaround time)     Start to Blowout Mountain Map (0-15)
Exit 71 from I90 Park behind the Fire Station

Saturday - Pacific Crest Trail 50K

Tacoma Pass to Guye Cabin (on Alpental Road) 31 Mile Trail Run

August 03, 2013  8 am start     PCTFA Map 1 PCTFA Map 2

Short Options - Tacoma to Stampede Pass 12 miles or Stampede Pass to Guye Cabin 20 miles 

Sign Up!
 

Sunday - Thorp Mountain 50K

Kachess Lake Campground to Parkside Cafe via Thorp Mountain 32 Mile Trail Run

August 04, 2013  8 am start TMFA Map

Short Option - Trail from Hell to Mineral Creek out and back  11 miles

Sign Up!

Trail Descriptions of both runs are found in the Cascade Crest 100 Runners manual
Cascade Crest Runner's Manual - 2012

Kachess Ridge Trail, Thorp Mountain Trail	The Thorp Mountain lookout is on Kachess Ridge Trail. The gable-roofed lookout was constructed in 1931 and the views of Mount Rainier, Mount Stuart, Mount Daniel and the Dutch Miller Gap-area peaks are a major attraction. The trail climbs through a steep flower meadow interspersed with rocky outcroppings. Marathon Maniacs Race Calendar

Plan on carrying your own water, food, gels and whatever supplies you may need, Bring the maps, and understand the routes.
The course will not be marked.  Please team up. Bring at least two water bottles, food, camera. A pack is recommended. It could be hot.
Ten essentials for Trail Running

Ripe Huckleberries on Snoqualmie Pass

We'll meet each morning at Guye Cabin at 7 am to shuttle to the Trailheads. After finishing we'll have to shuttle again to get all the cars back.   Guye Cabin is located on Alpental Road. We'll have water, drinks, and some snacks before and after the runs each day.       Sign up at Utrasignup.com   There will be a limit of 50 runners each day so sign up fast. Want to volunteer? We could use folks to help shuttle cars and do an aid station. Arthur Martineau aj_martineau@yahoo.com Mike Mahanay mikemahanay@gmail.com     The Cascade Crest 100 is August 24/25, 2013. This is an excellent chance to train and learn the course. http://www.cascadecrest100.com/ The Cle Elum Ridge Run is September 15, 2013  http://www.cleelum50k.com/p/race-info.html

View from the Thorp Mountain Lookout with the road and No Name Ridge.

Run Descriptions-
This is a remote, wilderness event and should be approached with preparation, caution and care. We expect you to be self-sufficient and responsible. Carry 2 bottles of water, gels, and snacks. Wear a hat. Bring something to purify water from the streams. Take cowboy baths to cool down.
Requirements! Have fun, be safe, don’t litter, prepare for the weather, & sign in at the finish
NW Forest Passes are not needed to park.

Friday Bonus Warm up run. Cascade Crest Start to Goat Peak.
Carpool from Guye Cabin, or meet at the start - Easton Fire Station (I90 exit 71 John Wayne Trailhead) at 3 pm. 5pm turnaround

Day 1 Pacific Crest Trail Description  - Tacoma Pass via Stampede Pass to Guye Cabin

Driving directions to the start-

Tacoma Pass
From exit 62 go south (left if coming from Easton). Follow 3.1 miles to intersection of FS 41.
Go left on FS 41 for 7.6 miles. Take a right at the well marked turn to Tacoma Pass.
Green Trails Map Lester WA No 239 and Snoqualmie Pass WA No 207


Almost all this run is on the PCT!  The PCT is not a difficult trail but it is not fast.
 
From Tacoma Pass to Stampede Pass you’ll do some moderate climbs.

About 1.5 miles from Stampede Pass you will start to pass under a series of power lines. There are three sets of power lines and the last one is the widest. You'll know it because in the middle of the clearing the trail does a sharp turn to the right and then back to the left. When you hit the trees after that clearing
you've got 0.3 miles to Stampede Pass. We'll have a vehicle there with water and some snacks. You can do drop bags there.

From Stampede Pass you've got approx 14 miles on the PCT to Olallie Meadows. The trail is moderate with decent footing and some nice older growth sections. From Stampede you'll hit a large blow down about 3 miles out and at 5 miles out you cross a forest service road just after passing over Stirrup Creek. The PCT signs / blazes are easy to follow, just keep an eye out and don't turn off on any dirt roads. We’ll cross a forest service road crossing at Meadow Mountain.

Leaving Meadow Mt. you make a gradual climb over a ridge and past a sign saying that you are leaving the national forest and entering the Cedar River watershed. At this point the trail leaves the trees and you are in an old clear cut. Downhill from this ridge to Yamika Pass the footing is a bit loose and the trail
is a bit overgrown. As you come down into the saddle of Yakima Pass you will cross a few old logging roads and you will pass a pond on your right with a trail sign marking Yakima Pass. From the Yakima Pass sign the trail switchbacks up to Mirror Lake. There are some creek crossings that should be an easy hop at the end of August. Just before reaching Mirror Lake you leave the clear cut and reenter the trees. There will be almost certainly be people camping at the south end of Mirror Lake. They are there to enjoy the weekend in the wilderness and do not expect to see a steady stream of runners.

You've got 5 miles to go. Savor the pretty run along Mirror Lake. It is one of many reasons why we really like the Cascades. Expect some snow after Mirror Lake. It is about 1 mile around the east side of the lake and shortly after leaving the lake you'll hit a trail intersection. Stay straight (do not go right). You'll climb from the lake up about 500 ft on gradual switchbacks. At the top of this climb pay attention and stay to the left. A trail to Twin Lakes goes to the right and downhill and the PCT goes to the left. The mileage sign is old and illegible so trust me, just stay to the left. If you find yourself bombing downhill with no PCT markers... we'll, don't say I didn't warn you while you are back tracking uphill. The next 2.5 miles or so to the Olallie Meadows at Mile 24 are very pretty. The trail is rolling and generally downhill. Enjoy the views!

Olallie Meadows we will have 5 gallons of water.

Leaving Olallie Meadows you will stay on the PCT for the downhill through the Summit West Ski area, under I90 and a short run on the Alpental Road back to Guye Cabin to the finish.
Sign in and record your time. There will be snacks and drinks in the kitchen or set up outside. Go take a soak in the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River.

Mileage Day 1-
Tacoma Pass 0
Snowshoe Butte 5
Stampede Pass 10
Meadow Mt 17
Olallie Meadows 24
Guye Cabin 32


Day 2 Thorp Mountain Description - Kachess Lake Campground to Silver Creek, then to Parkside Cafe via Thorp Mountain
Green Trails Map 208

The Start driving directions-
Kachess Lake Campground entrance
Exit 62 off of I-90. Head north (not towards Stampede Pass). If coming from Hyak heading East on I-90 you will exit and take a left to cross over the freeway. Take the road straight for 5.1 miles to a “T” intersection. Take a left. Go 0.4 miles uphill on a dirt road to the next intersection. There is a large information sign directly ahead of you here. We will park just outside the Campground. Turn right at the sign and head 0.2 miles to the start.

The Finish driving directions-
Finish at Parkside Cafe on North side of I90
Exit 71 from I-90.

The start goes down a bushwack trail that cuts down to the start of the trail by the lake, often referred to as the ‘trail from hell”, which takes you to a right hand turn to Mineral Creek. The total section from Kachess Lake to Mineral Creek is 5 miles long and looks quite benign on the elevation chart. It is rocky, rootstrewn and rolling with dozens up short, steep gullies. Take your time and be careful. Even the front runners tend to take over 90 minutes to cover this section and it will take most runners about two hours. There are some tricky sections of trail in here that require prudent, cautious navigation.

Finally you will take a right hand turn at a signed trail junction onto trail 1331 to Mineral Creek. A mile downhill you will cross the creek . Expect to get your feet wet here. Some years there is a log crossing but right now there is not.

You will leave Mineral Creek on a gradual uphill dirt road. The road climb goes for 7 miles and gains almost 3,000 ft. After some tight road switchbacks you’ll bend around the corner to the left and arrive at the No Name Ridge.

The next section is the prettiest and toughest on the course. There are some great views along the way of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the Stuart Range. Don’t forget to pick your head up and enjoy the scenery.

The cardiac needles are a series of short but steep climbs between No Name Ridge and just after French Cabin. There are basically 4 climbs + the climb up to the Thorp Mt lookout. The first one is the worst of the bunch (you’ll know it when you get there).

After No Name Ridge you’ll reach the out and back climb up to the lookout Cabin. With the great views this is a great place to take a break, eat a sandwich and relax for some time before you start the final downhill to the finish.

It is 4 mostly downhill miles from Thorp to French Cabin. The last climb on the course (really) is just after leaving the French Cabin aid station. Once you crest onto the pretty saddle it is time to shake out your quads and get ready for downhill. From the saddle to the Silver Creek there are basically three sections: steep downhill, moderate downhill, steep downhill.

Finish at Parkside Cafe

Mileage Day 2
Kachess Lake 0
Mineral Creek 5.5
No Name Rd 9
No Name Ridge 12
Thorp Mt 16
French Cabin 20
Silver Creek 27
Parkside Cafe 32

Please print out the Trail Descriptions and Maps!
Please be at Guye Cabin to make last minute preparations between 6am & 7am each day.
We will depart to shuttle to trailheads at 7am sharp!

Other Trail runs at Snoqualmie Pass  (2 to 16 miles) Snow Lake Red Mountain Kendall Katwalk (PCT North) Melakwa Lake Lake Annette Granite Mountain (Steep!) Iron Horse Trail PCT South

Cool down afterwards in the headwaters of the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River! Cougar Running Camp at Guye Cabin

You can stay overnight at Guye Cabin Friday and/or Saturday night as guests of the Washington Alpine Club for $20 each night.  There is a limit of 50 people so no worries for space. Guye Cabin is non hosted so you cook and clean up after yourself. Bunk style dorms bring your sleeping bag, ear plugs, towel, food. Plenty of space outside for your tent or RV if you need more quiet and personal space. The rushing headwaters of the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River are just outside the door for a cold soak after your run. Family members and non distance runners are welcome too! There are plenty of hikes and activities or just relaxing to keep anyone busy. A beautiful variety of Mountain hikes, climbs and bike rides. Ellensburg, Rosyln, and Leavenworth are all nice day trips. Pasta Dinner with salad on Sat night for 5 bucks There are cooking facilities for meals.   email Mike Mahanay to register to stay at Guye Cabin mikemahanay@gmail.com Join the WAC The Washington Alpine Club       Help others out if you can Please bring non perishable food or a check to: West Seattle Food Bank http://www.westseattlefoodbank.org/ Northwest Avalanche Center http://www.nwac.us/

PCT 50K	Miles	Time			Thorp Mountain 50K	Miles	Results
Arthur Martineau	31	6:10			Devon Crosby	32	7:00
Matthew Hagench	31	6:10			Jonathan Berard	32	7:00
Michael Chastain	31	6:33			Arthur Martineau	32	7:06
Paul Hefffernan	31	6:33			Tim Stroh	32	7:06
Tate Kelly	31	7:13			Eric Barnes	32	8:13
T.J. Martin	31	7:18			Jamal Shoto	32	8:13
Barefoot Ted	31	7:19			Steve Stoyles	32	8:13
Mike Mahanay	31	7:57			Jeff Wright	32	8:35
Caroline Ly	31	8:08			Paul Heffernan	32	8:35
Charles Yuen	31	8:08			Tate Kelly	32	8:35
Gary "The Red Rabbit" Marr	31	8:08			T.J. Martin	?	?
Judy Carluccio	31	8:08			Shawna Wilskey	32
Paul Davis ?	31	8:08			Joe Tomkins	32
Ana Braga-Levaggi	31	8:55
Chris Muller	31	8:55			Jenny Appel	27	9:09
Peter Corduan	31	9:10			Rob "Rattler" Hester	27	9:09
Ken Briggs	31	9:18			Caroline Ly	27
Max Welker	31	9:18			Jamie Kaizer	27
Baldwin Lee	31	9:55			Linda Barton	27
Linda Barton	31	9:55
Donald Dryer, Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan	31				Baldwin Lee	20	6:00
Betsy Rogers	10	2:43			Ana Braga-Levaggi	16
Matt "Thing 1" Hagen	10	2:43			Chris Muller	16
Shawna Wilskey	20	2:43
Monica Ochs	20	4:00
Richard Korry	20	4:37
Heather Mar	20	5:45
Leon Willey	20	5:45
Jeff Wright	25	6:30

	Goat Peak		PCT 50K		Thorp Mtn 50K
	Friday		Sat		Sun		Total!
Name	Time	Distance	Time	Distance	Time	Distance	Time	Distance
Adam Gaston			4:34	20	7:47	31.1	12:21	51.1
Arthur Martineau	3:51	14.2	6:35	31.1	7:35	31.1	18:01	76.4
Betsy Rogers			5:30	20			5:30	20
Brian Maher			4:04	18.5		31.1	4:04	49.6
Bruce Hoff			4:04	18.5	8:20	31.1	12:24	49.6
Craig Foster					9:35	31.1	9:35	31.1
Daniela Alimed	4:00	14.2					4:00	14.2
Deby Kumasaka			8:10	31.1	8:59	31.1	17:09	62.2
Doerte Mahanay			2:50	12			2:50	12
Genia Kacey			8:01	31.1			8:01	31.1
Glen Mangiantini					8:36	31.1	8:38	31.1
Gwen Scott					8:59	31.1	8:59	31.1
Jennifer Hughes			8:10	31.1	8:36	31.1	16:46	62.2
John Maytum			6:35	31.1	8:15	31.1	14:50	62.2
Joleen Rodgers			8:01	31.1			8:01	31.1
Larry Varin						11	3:30?	11
Mark Johnson			8:10	31.1			8:10	31.1
Matt Hagen			5:53	20			5:53	20
Megan Hall			8:10	31.1	7:47	31.1	15:57	62.2
Mike Johnson			8:10	31.1			8:10	31.1
Mike Mahanay	4:00	14.2			9:35	31.1	13:35	45.3
Sabina Havkins	3:59	14.2					3:59	14.2
Tracy Brown	3:51	14.2	5:53	20	9:35	31.1	19:19	65.3
Trevor Griffith			5:07	20.15			5:07	20.15
Van Phan			8:10	31.1	8:59	31.1	17:09	62.2