50K
6,500ft of elevation gain. From Hard Cheese Aid Station the 50k continues along the ridge while the 50 Milers peel off for their extra loop; the courses rejoin for the climb to the Thorp Mountain Lookout.
The race
You won't want to miss this point-to-point adventure in the heart of the Cascades! Starting by Lake Kachess, you'll climb through big forest into alpine meadows. After a steady, long climb, you'll roll along Kachess Ridge with 360-degree views. Chikamin Ridge and Mt. Daniel loom large to the north, the mountains of Snoqualmie Pass to the west, and the Stuart Range to the east. Lake Cle Elum and Lake Kachess rest down in the valleys below. Topping out at the Thorp Mountain Lookout (5853ft), you'll be sad to begin your descent back to the valley below. But don't worry, camping, post-race food, and festivities await you at the finish line at Salmon La Sac.
- 50k and 50 Miler
- This is a point-to-point, remote course with steep and technical sections of trail.
Want to race but can’t afford the entry fee? The Trail Mix Fund can help.
The course
Shuttle to Kachess Lake, grind up the ridge, then enjoy miles of rolling high-country trail past the Thorp Mountain Lookout. Point to point, remote, and unforgettable.
Distances
50 Miler
12,000′ of elevation gain. The 50M runners get their extra vert and distance in doing a figure 8 loop on winding trails in the French Cabin Creek area before rejoining the 50k course.
Woodland Speeders Kid’s Race
As part of our Woodland Speeders program, we offer free kid’s races at all of our events. Parents are welcome to run with their kiddos. You can register your child during the registration process for your own race, or sign them up later. Distances vary and are approximate, but we aim for about 1K in distance. See the schedule for start time.
The course at Kachess Ridge will be approximately 1 miles with minimal elevation gain. The kid’s course will start and finish at the Salmon La Sac SnoPark.
Interactive course maps
Registration
Full refund if we cancel
In the event that Kachess Ridge is cancelled (2027 race) due to extreme weather or fire, all participants will be issued a full refund.
Prices
| Price from | 50K | 50 Miler |
|---|---|---|
| November 9, 2026 | $161 | $215 |
| January 1, 2027 | $186 | $241 |
| June 1, 2027 | $199 | $256 |
| July 1, 2027 | $211 | $273 |
Taxes and fees are added at checkout.
Youth and senior discount
Participants 22 and under or 65 and over can receive a discount of 15% on their registration fee. Request it with the discount form.
Registration FAQ
Can I get a refund?
No. Almost all race costs are paid before race day and cannot be recovered, so entries are non-refundable. The one exception is the optional Refund Guarantee, below.
If you can't run, you have three options, each of which must be requested by 6:00pm the day before the race: transfer to another Evergreen Trail Runs event in the same year, defer to the same race next year, or give your bib to another runner. An entry can be deferred or transferred only once, and free entries that have been deferred or transferred are not eligible for a voucher. Cancelled or postponed races are not eligible for refunds.
What is the Refund Guarantee?
Optional refund protection you can buy through Ultrasignup when you register. It is run entirely by Ultrasignup. With it, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the first start of the day (not your own distance's start) and receive an 80% refund from Ultrasignup, using the email they send you after registration.
Can I transfer to a different Evergreen race?
Yes, until 6:00pm the day before the race. In your Ultrasignup account, choose race credit: you receive a credit worth 95% of your registration fee, good for any Evergreen Trail Runs race with open registration. If the new race costs less, the difference is not refunded. Transfers between Evergreen Trail Runs and Orca Running races are not possible, and an entry can be transferred only once.
Can I defer to next year?
Yes, until 6:00pm the day before the race, through your Ultrasignup account. The deferral fee is 5% of the registration fee. Once deferred, it is up to you to re-register for next year's race; if you have not applied the deferral by the time registration closes or the race sells out, it is void. An entry can be deferred only once.
Can I switch to a different distance?
Yes. Before registration closes, change it in your Ultrasignup account; after that, in person at packet pickup. Moving to a longer distance costs the difference in entry fee; moving to a shorter one is free but the difference is not refunded.
Please tell us before you switch. Running a different distance than the one you are registered for scrambles the results and delays the awards.
Can I give my bib to someone else?
Yes. Bib transfers to another runner for the same race can be done online until registration closes, and after that in person at packet pickup or on race morning.
What if I become pregnant after registering?
You can defer to the following year at no cost, or receive a refund. Contact us with proof of pregnancy before the normal deferral deadline.
How old do you have to be?
- 5K and 5 mile: 12 and older may run independently, at their parent or guardian's discretion. Ages 8 to 12 may run if accompanied the whole way by an adult guardian who is also registered for the race. Under 8 may not run.
- 10K and 12 mile: 16 and older may run independently. Ages 12 to 16 may run if accompanied the whole way by a registered adult guardian. Under 12 may not run.
- Half marathon and longer (20 mile, marathon, 50K, 50 mile, 100 mile): 18 and older only.
Parents can ask for an exception by emailing info@evergreentrailruns.com at least five days before race day with a short note on the child's trail running experience.
Is there a youth or senior discount?
Yes: runners 22 and under or 65 and over get 15% off the registration fee. Use the discount form linked on this page.
How are winners decided?
Overall winners are scored by gun time (clock time): the first three runners of each gender across the finish line, regardless of when they crossed the start. If the race starts in waves and you think you might place, start in the first wave, near the front, and answer the estimated-finish-time question at registration honestly.
No timing system is perfect. Wear your bib visibly on the front of your outermost layer. In some cases we can issue a gun time but not a chip time. Personal GPS data can help us investigate a result but is never the sole basis for an official one. Awards are collected at the race; we do not mail them.
Is there a non-binary category?
Yes, since 2023. When you register you can choose male, female, non-binary, or prefer not to say. There are overall awards for the top three non-binary runners in every race, collected at the Evergreen tent. Choose prefer not to say if you would rather not be eligible for overall awards.
What happens if the race is cancelled or postponed?
We only cancel when the safety risk is real: extreme heat or cold, hazardous air, unexpected trail closures, dangerous animals on the course, and the like. Whenever possible we postpone rather than cancel. If a race is postponed and you cannot make the new date, you can defer to next year for free, or transfer to another Evergreen Trail Runs event that year for a reduced fee of $5. Cancelled or postponed races are not eligible for refunds. We will do our best to reach every registered runner as early as we can.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome at the start and finish area, but not on the course.
The full race policies are the final word on all of this.
Race day
Where: Salmon La Sac SnoPark
Parking
All runners should arrive at the Salmon La Sac SnoPark at least 1 hour before the shuttle departure time for their event. There is plenty of parking, but we always encourage carpooling.
The race starts near Lake Kachess, down the road from the Kachess Ridge Trail. Runners will be shuttled to the start. The race finishes back at the Salmon La SnoPark north of Cle Elum.
Runners may be dropped off at the starting line, but there is no parking! Spectators wishing to cheer on starting runners will have to park beneath the power lines on the main forest service road and walk approximately 1 mile to the start line.
No Discover Pass is required.
Shuttle
Runners are shuttled from the Salmon La Sac SnoPark to the starting line at Kachess Lake. 50M runners MUST be on the shuttle to the starting line by 4:45am; 50k runners MUST be on the shuttle to the starting line by 7:00am. All runners should arrive at the SnoPark at least 1 hour before their shuttle departure time.
Driving directions
The course in detail
Shuttles will take you to the starting line at Kachess Lake. Then you’ll begin your climb up the Kachess Ridge Trail. After a grueling start with over 1300ft of climbing, the grade mellows out, but the climbing continues all the way to Hard Cheese Aid Station at ~7.5 miles. Here, the 50k distance continues along the ridge, while the 50M runners get their extra vert and distance in doing a figure 8 loop on winding trails in the French Cabin Creek area.
After the extra loop, the 50M and 50k courses rejoin for a climb to the Thorp Mountain Lookout, grab your token, and enjoy the final 5 miles of rolling ridgeline before coming into the No Name Ridge Aid Station. Then you’ll begin your steady descent into the Cooper River Drainage. After passing the Cooper Aid Station, you’ll head up the valley, running along the shores of Cooper Lake and then the Cooper River. After one more punchy climb, you’ll join up with an old forest road and flow back down to Cooper Aid Station, continuing to follow the Cooper River to its confluence with the Cle Elum River. Then it’s just a few miles to the finish line
Course notes
Please note that distances and elevations noted below and on maps below are approximate and are derived from online mapping programs. Your recorded distance and elevation gain on race day may vary.
Runner's manual
Pacers
No pacers are allowed in this event.
Crew
Crew members can meet their runners at Knox Creek, Thorp Creek, and Cooper Aid Stations. Runners are not allowed to receive aid outside of designated aid stations.
Schedule
| 4:00 am | Packet pickup opens on race morning |
|---|---|
| 4:45am | 50M runners MUST be on the shuttle to the starting line |
| 7:00am | 50k runners MUST be on the shuttle to the starting line |
| 15 minutes before each event | Pre-race briefing at the starting line |
| 9:00pm | Course close |
| 6:00am | 50 miler |
| 8:00am | 50k |
| 8:30am | Kid’s Race (approximately) |
Packet pickup
| Packet pickup opens on race morning at 4:00 am |
|---|
Aid stations
All aid stations will be stocked with the usual ultra fare: PB&J, gummies, gels, electrolyte drinks, water, and other goodies. No Name Ridge, Knox Creek, and Cooper Aid stations will also have hearty, hot food options to keep you going and your stomach happy. We try to accommodate common dietary restrictions at our aid stations, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian. But if you have other allergies or food sensitivities, please plan accordingly and carry your own food or include options for yourself in your drop bags.
Aid Station Locations
50-Mile
7 mile
9 mile
15 mile
20 mile
25 mile
32 mile
39 mile
45 mile
51 mile (Finish)
50k
7 mile
14 mile
21 mile
27 mile
32 (finish)
To reduce waste, all Evergreen Trail Events are CUPLESS! All runners MUST carry with them a refillable container that they can run with.
Cutoffs
Course cutoffs
10:30am: Thorp Creek Aid — 50M at mile 15
1:30pm: Knox Creek — 50M at mile 25
3:30pm: No Name Ridge — 50M at mile 32, 50k at mile 15
6:00pm: Cooper Aid — 50M at mile 40
7:30pm: Cooper Aid — 50M at mile 45
9:00pm: Course Close
**Cutoffs are based on an 18min/mile average
**The 50k has the same cutoffs as the 50M
Drop bags
Drop bags — 50K: Drop bags will be available at No Name Ridge.
Drop bags — 50M: Drop bags will be available at Knox Creek, No Name Ridge, and Cooper Aid Stations.
Required gear — 50K: Participants must carry a light rain/wind jacket, 2L of water capacity, and have the course GPS downloaded onto phone or watch.
Required gear — 50M: Participants must carry a headlamp, a light rain/wind jacket, 2L water capacity, and have the course GPS downloaded onto a phone or watch.
Finisher swag
Every finisher at an Evergreen Trail Run event receives a piece of handmade finisher swag! We make our awards using solar power in Anacortes, Washington.
We'll have a variety of hearty, hot food and drinks for everyone at the finish line!
All participants will also recieve a race specific t-shirt with thier entry.
Staying nearby
Camping is available at the finish line, located at the Salmon La Sac SnoPark. There are also plenty of hotels and nightly rentals in and near the towns of Cle Elum and Roslyn.
More race information
Please note: You can cancel your Kachess Ridge registration through your Ultra Signup Account and be issued 90% credit for a future Evergreen Trails Event.
Permits
This institution is operated under a special use permit with the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibitedfrom discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (2020)720-5964 (voiceand TDD).
Photos
Results
Results by year
Each link opens the full results on the timing site.
| Year | Kachess Ridge 50 50M |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Kachess Ridge 50 50M |
Partners
Evergreen Trails is proud to have Tailwind Hydration as our official hydration sponsor.
Environmentally responsible racing
We partner with Trees not Tees, so you can have a tree planted instead of taking a race shirt you may never wear. Every event is planned to keep our footprint small. Read more.
Committed to making all feel welcome
There is space for all on the trails. We offer a non-binary registration option and awards category, and we are Trail Sisters approved. Ideas for doing better? Let us know!