Backcountry Rise

Welcome to a majestic backcountry rising from the ashes of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. With its sapphire lakes, rugged, toothy peaks and wildflower-blanketed slopes, the Mt. Margaret Backcountry on the north side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument provides an unforgettable trail race experience. The power and resilience of Mother Nature is truly on full display here in the backcountry. Backcountry Rise includes challenging and remote loop courses: a 50K loop and a 20 mile loop (the 50 miler is on hiatus for 2024). Each race offers big climbs, sweeping descents and stunning ridgeline views of the surrounding Cascade Volcanoes, high mountain lakes, rushing creeks and abundant wildlife. Each race distance starts and finishes at the Mt. St. Helens Science & Learning Center, itself designed as the original volcano observatory. Perched on the slopes above Coldwater Lake and oriented toward the Mount St. Helens caldera, the venue offers a family-friendly base camp location