Mt. Spokane 50K Vertical Challenge

Race - Jul 13, 2019

Dogs No Dogs

Features Wildflowers · Wildlife

Come join us and run through the scenic Mt. Spokane State Park. Out of all our races, this is my favorite course! Be prepared for tons of singletrack, climbing, awesome views, more climbing, and an amazing post-race meal!

50K Part 1
Starting at the Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane runners will hit the singletrack on Trail 131 starting their climb to the eventual summit at the vista house. Continuing on to Trail 132 heading slightly north and taking a right-hand turn on Trail 130, at this point, runners have rolling terrain. After approximately 2 miles, the runners will take a hard left continuing up the ski mountain; this is very steep and loose terrain so watch your footing.

Eventually, the runners will come out at the top of Mount Spokane. This is where your first aid station is located. From here, runners will descend Trail 140 all the way to the saddle junction; this is the second aid station. Continuing on the Upper Kit Carson Loop Road, runners will run to Trail 130 and climb to the top of Day Mountain, continuing on Trail 162 with a traverse to the top of Kit Carson Mountain and then eventually descending back to the saddle junction for another aid station.

From here, this is when the quads are going to start to hurt. You'll descend the rest of the way down on Trail 140 all the way to Bear Creek Lodge crossing pavement—please be mindful that the cars will not stop for you; it is your responsibility to manage your own safety at this point. Bear Creek Lodge is the last aid station before you'll start the climb up the wall. Trail 120 has been named the wall because that's exactly what it feels like. It is a very long ascent all the way back up to Selkirk Lodge where you'll then start the second half.

50K Part 2
The second half of this journey is going to be much milder than the first half. Here, runners are primarily on the cross country ski trails that the state park and Inland Paper Property manage. From Selkirk Lodge, all runners will head out Valley View to Junction 1; at that point, take a hard right and run on Larch.

Continuing to Junction 2, from that point you are going to take another hard right and continue on Silver. After 1.3 km, you'll arrive at an aid station. From here, runners will continue around Quartz and Horse Mountain on the Quartz Mountain Trail which is approximately 4.5 km long including some ups and downs. Eventually, you'll be arriving at Junction 7.

From here, you're going to be taking a left and heading up a very steep trail called “the wall”—the section is approximately 1.5 kilometers long. It is very steep, and you'll end up at Junction 9. At this point, you are on a road that you'll continue on taking a left until you reach Junction 6 (Aid Station). It is about a 4 km stretch.

From here, runners continue up Moose Meadows which is approximately 1.7 km long. You'll end up at Junction 5. From here take a hard left; you're going to go around Shadow Mountain which is 2.2 km long before coming back to Junction 5 and then continuing on Shady Way back to Junction 4. At this point, you are almost at another aid station.

Here, you'll take a hard left and you'll work your way up and over Quartz Mountain lookout coming back to the same area and to Junction #3 Aid Station. Aid station volunteers will then direct you to go up and over Eagle Crest which is a small climb with some very beautiful views of the valley ending up at Junction 2. At this point, you follow your way back on Larch to Junction 1 and then back on valley view to the Selkirk Lodge.

Congratulations you just finished a 50K that has 8,000 ft. of elevation gain and loss!