Mountain Lakes 100
Olallie Lake Resort, Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon
The friendliest Oregon 100-miler: runnable PCT terrain, manageable gain, and stunning lake scenery — but the remote forest roads and mandatory trail work make it feel earned.
- When
- September 19, 2026
- Distances
- 100 Miles
- Surface
- Trail
- Course
- Lollipop
- Elevation gain
- 11,700 ft
- Altitude
- 3,300 ft–5,700 ft
- Weather
- Cool
- Nearest airport
- PDX
- Suggested trip
- 3 nights
Score breakdown
7.4/10Strong. A strong destination race with real appeal.
Also worth knowing (not weighted)
Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.
Weather
This is a multi-climate course — conditions differ along the route, so we show weather by point rather than a single city average.
| Point | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| Start — Olallie Lake Resort Picnic Area | 44–68°F | Cool |
| High point — Course high point (approx.) | 38–62°F | Cool |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
100 Miles
Lollipop · Trail · starts 6:00 AM- Elev gain
- 11,700 ft
- Elev loss
- 11,700 ft
- High point
- 5,700 ft
- Low point
- 3,300 ft
- A shared stem leads into a loop
- Note the loop direction
Primarily an out-and-back on the PCT with a 26-mile loop at the start and a 15-mile loop at the far turnaround. Surface: 87.7 mi singletrack, 12 mi jeep road, 0.2 mi pavement; 60 mi on PCT. Biggest climb (~2,000 ft) comes in the 7 miles after Powerline AS. Start time estimated at 6:00 AM — confirm with race director.
Travel
- Base town
- Olallie Lake Resort
- Nearest airport
- PDX · 20 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Poor
- Lodging
- Limited
- Facilities
- Remote
- Trip length
- 3 nights
- Travel complexity
- 7/10
PDX is a major hub with easy access, but the final 20+ miles to Olallie Lake are slow gravel forest roads. No rideshare exists in this remote area. A rental car is mandatory. Budget 3+ hours from PDX and plan lodging in advance (Government Camp fills race weekend).
Secondary option: Roberts Field (RDM) in Bend, ~2 hours from the start. Olallie Lake Resort offers basic camping; Government Camp (~20 miles north) has motels and vacation rentals. The forest road (FR 42 → FR 4220) is a one-lane gravel road for the final stretch — check conditions before traveling.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- first-time 100-mile runners
- PCT lovers
- runners seeking a Western States qualifier
- those who prefer runnable non-technical terrain
- first-time 100 milers
- runners seeking scenic trails
- those comfortable camping/outdoors
Avoid if
- you skip the mandatory 8-hour trail work requirement
- you need crew access at frequent intervals
- you're unprepared for overnight temps in the 30s and sudden mountain weather
- needing extensive amenities
- not self-sufficient in remote settings
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the front-loaded climb — the 7 miles after Powerline (AS #2) deliver ~2,000 ft of gain and the most technical terrain; going out too hard here can wreck your day. Also: the gravel forest roads to the start take 45–60 min longer than expected, so add buffer to your pre-race drive.
Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
- Olallie Lake Resort Lodging
Basic cabin and camping lodging at the race start/finish. Reserve far in advance; fills completely for race weekend.
- Timothy Lake Recreation Area Activity
Large reservoir on the course (~mi 66) with camping, paddling, and fishing — great crew/spectator hangout.
- Timberline Lodge & Mt. Hood Activity
Historic WPA-era lodge on Mt. Hood, ~25 miles from the race start; great non-runner activity and post-race destination.
Primary base for runners; cabins and campsites available.
- Hiking trails at Olallie LakeActivity
Scenic hiking in the Cascade wilderness.
- Fishing at Olallie LakeActivity
Popular angling spot for trout.
Runner reports
No runner reports yet — ran it? Share the first.
Sign in to add your report.
Race history
Race-trip notes
Build in an extra night in the Portland or Government Camp area to buffer the slow forest-road drive to Olallie Lake. Crew and pacers should note that access points are limited; confirm crew-vehicle road conditions before race weekend as FR 42 can be rough.
About this race
Mountain Lakes 100 runs 60+ miles of PCT through the Oregon Cascades, mixing singletrack, jeep roads, and alpine lake scenery. The course is front-loaded with its biggest climbing in the first 30 miles, then rolls through mid-elevation forest to Timothy Lake and back. The race falls on the autumn equinox weekend — expect cool to cold nights, possible early-season weather swings, and a remote finish that demands self-sufficiency.
Last verified June 23, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.