Volcanic 50K & 25K — Mt. St. Helens
Marble Mountain Sno Park, WA
One of the Pacific Northwest's most brutally honest trail races — the 32-mile distance will humble runners expecting a standard 50K.
- When
- August 1, 2026
- Distances
- 50K · 25K
- Surface
- Trail
- Course
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 7,400 ft
- Altitude
- 2,800 ft–4,800 ft
- Weather
- Warm
- Nearest airport
- PDX
- Suggested trip
- 2 nights
Score breakdown
8.0/10Strong. 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
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| August | 48–78°F | Warm |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
50K
Loop · Trail · starts 7:00 AM- Elev gain
- 7,400 ft
- Elev loss
- 7,400 ft
- High point
- 4,800 ft
- Low point
- 2,800 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Almost entirely on the Loowit Trail (all but 4.5 miles). Three rope-assist sections in the first 9 miles near the Toutle River drainage. 80–90% exposed with minimal shade. 8+ mile waterless stretches — carry extra water. The South Fork Toutle River crossing is easiest earlier in the day and later in summer. Finish times typically mirror a 50-mile race. Bib pickup 5:30–6:30 a.m., mandatory gear check.
25K
Loop · Trail · starts 7:30 AM- Elev gain
- 3,300 ft
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- 4,800 ft
- Low point
- 2,400 ft
- Start and finish in the same area
- Easier spectating and repeated aid access
Runs Sunday Aug 2. Shares Loowit Trail and boulder fields with the 50K but also includes forested trails not on the longer course, plus a debris flow and cushy downhill section. No prerequisite required. Completing this race qualifies a runner for the 50K in a future year. Bib pickup 6:00–7:15 a.m.
Travel
- Base town
- Cougar, WA
- Nearest airport
- PDX · 75 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Poor
- Lodging
- Limited
- Facilities
- Limited
- Trip length
- 2 nights
- Travel complexity
- 6/10
PDX is the practical gateway (~75 mi). A rental car is mandatory — no shuttle, no rideshare to the Sno-Park. Cougar, WA has limited lodging; many runners stay in Woodland, WA or Castle Rock, WA for more options, or base in Portland.
Forest Road 83 to Marble Mountain Sno-Park is a maintained gravel/paved forest road accessible by standard vehicles. Arrive early — bib pickup is morning-of only with mandatory gear check.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- Experienced trail runners seeking a genuine challenge
- Volcanic and geology enthusiasts
- Runners wanting a small-field, permit-limited PNW experience
- Those chasing a bucket-list volcano circumnavigation
- Experienced mountain trail runners
- Runners seeking challenging terrain
Avoid if
- First-time trail runners or 50K newbies (50K requires prior 50K or Volcanic 25K)
- Runners who struggle in heat with minimal shade and water
- Anyone uncomfortable with technical scrambling or river crossings
- Those needing a fast, road-adjacent course
- You are a first-time ultrarunner
- You dislike technical or exposed trails
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the difficulty based on distance alone — the 32-mile 50K routinely takes as long as a 50-miler. Also: arriving without the mandatory gear check items completed before bib pickup, and not carrying enough water for 8+ mile sections with no source.
Photos
Tap a photo to enlarge.
Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
- Ape Cave Lava Tube Activity
A 2-mile lava tube cave ~3 miles from the Sno-Park — a must-do for non-runners and pre/post-race exploration.
- Johnston Ridge Observatory Activity
The closest viewpoint to the active crater on the north side — stunning blast-zone panorama, visitor center and ranger talks.
- Lava Canyon Trail Activity
A dramatic canyon carved by the 1980 mudflow, located near the Sno-Park — great half-day hike for non-running partners.
Closest lodging to the start — RV sites and basic cabins in Cougar, WA, ~6 miles from Marble Mountain Sno-Park.
Basic group lodging operated near the monument; check availability well in advance for race weekend.
- Cougar Bar and GrillFood / restaurant
The primary post-race gathering spot in Cougar, WA — burgers, beer, and a welcoming vibe for dirty trail runners.
- Lone Fir Resort Lodging
Closest major lodging to the start/finish in Cougar.
- Camping at Marble Mountain Sno ParkLodging
Car camping allowed the night before the race at start/finish.
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Race history
Race-trip notes
The nearest town with lodging is Cougar, WA (~6 miles from the Sno-Park). Portland, OR (PDX) is roughly 60–75 miles away and is the practical hub for flights, car rentals, and pre-race logistics. A rental car is essentially required — there is no shuttle or rideshare serving the Sno-Park.
About this race
Starting and finishing at Marble Mountain Sno-Park (~2,800 ft) on the south side of Mt. St. Helens, the 50K loops the volcano almost entirely on the Loowit Trail through ancient forest, boulder fields, the 1980 blast zone, and steep Toutle River drainages requiring rope assists. The 25K runs the following day and shares the iconic boulder fields and Loowit Trail for roughly half the distance. Both races are permitted by the US Forest Service within the National Volcanic Monument and are capped at under 300 runners each.
Last verified June 21, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.