Considering doing the 2025 Cascade Lakes Relay and wanna know what you’re in for? Run Oregon is here to give you two course preview posts, one for van #1 and another for van #2. You can also get more detailed information from the website if you download the course maps. Below you’ll find out what you’re signing on for if you are in van #1.
Van #1 often gets longer miles but you’ll get to kick off the race in beautiful Diamond Lake at a time of day when the weather is cooler. Van #1 runners will have more of a mixed terrain too, with dirt roads, double track trails, some gravel, and some regular roads. You’ll also get a chance to rest sooner than van #2, which means you’ll be able to celebrate sooner too.
RUNNER #1: Legs 1, 13, and 25
Leg #1 of CLR is 7.3 miles long and considered “moderate” in terms of how hard it is. Runners will get to run around a recreational paved bike path along the west shore of the very scenic Diamond Lake with views of Mt Thielsen and Mt Bailey, which is really a gorgeous way to kick off a race.
With beauty comes some sacrifice, and therefore it must be mentioned that this leg has a mosquito symbol assigned to it, which means, and I quote from the website here, “it would be prudent to wear bug/insect/mosquito repellant if you would rather not be carried away to your death by gigantic, fire-breathing, spear-like piercing mosquitos.”
Runners are also unsupported on this leg, so please carry some hydration, as 7+ miles is a hefty distance without water. It is relatedly flat, with only 1 foot total in elevation change.
Leg #13 is considered a “moderate” leg that is 7.4 miles long and starts from the Silver Lake Community Center. There is some light gravel on this course, and runners will be treated to sunset views through the valley along the marsh and prairie. This is a flat route as well, (-25 feet of net elevation change,) but also another “mosquito zone” so prepare for that! Runners will finish this leg at Lone Tree.
The final leg for runner #1 will also be their hardest. Leg #25 is rated a “hard” leg at 7.3 miles long. As with the other two legs for this runner, it’s in the bug zone, but if this is your leg, you should be an old hand at that by now. This route starts at North Wickiup Boat Ramp and finishes at Crane Prairie Resort.This is another scenic route, weaving through the tall pines with a net elevation change of 106 feet. Runners will be unsupported for the first 1.8 miles through the gravel and are advised to please be quiet along this resort community so that they don’t disrupt the campers along the lake.
RUNNER #2: Legs 2, 14, and 26
The second runner will take the handoff from the first at the South Shore Boat Ramp at Diamond Lake to do “The Thielsen Challenge” which has an important title for good reason. This leg is not even rated simply as “hard” or “very hard,” but as “WTH!” This 11 mile leg is the hardest of all the legs of the relay, so much so that whichever runner completes this leg will get a special medal. Runners will climb 830 feet in elevation and then come down 986 feet with a total net elevation change of 155 feet. This leg is on a fire road over the Thielsen summit through a pine forest. There are water stations every couple of miles as well as medical support available, but there will be no van support. Runners are advised to consider trail shoes for this leg, as this terrain will be on dirt roads and double track trails.
Leg #14 is 8.8 miles long and “very hard.” This one starts at Lone Pine and ends at Fort Rock Waterin’ Hole and travels down some light gravel. There’s only 5 feet of elevation change, but it will feel long after that first leg. Runners will get the opportunity to run between Connley Hills and Coyote Butte heading into Fort Rock.
After two hard legs, runner #2 will be treated to a nice “moderate” leg of 7 miles for Leg #26. This leg includes a gradual climb with a net elevation change of 163 feet, starting at Crane Prairie Resort and ending at the Deschutes Bridge. This leg is pretty one, primarily on a secluded gravel road with a crossing at Snow Creek. This is an unsupported leg from mile 3.4 to the finish. Runners are advised to carry water for this leg, and this is in the bug zone, so bug spray would also be advised.
RUNNER #3: Legs 3, 15, and 27
Leg 3 is 7.7 miles long and considered “moderate.” This runner will be traveling down the mountain summit along a double track trail, with a net elevation change of -422 feet. This is another leg where trail shoes would be advised, as the terrain is double track trails and some road. It begins at the Diamond Lake Chain up and ends at Whispering Pines. Again, this is an unsupported leg, but there will be one water station at mile 3.
The gravel continues on leg #15, which is 4.4 miles long and “easy.” This is a lovely little jaunt through the “quaint and friendly” town of Fort Rock. If it’s still light out, you’ll see the natural struction of Fort Rock, but runners are cautioned to pay attention to the right and quick left turn in town so that they stay on course. This is a nice flat leg with a net elevation change of 27 feet and it starts at the Fort Rock Waterin Hole and ends at Fort Rock Valley.
The last leg (number 27) for runner #3 is “moderate” and 6 miles long. Runners start at Deschutes Bridge and finish at Six Legs Trailhead on some rolling terrain which has a net elevation change of 297 feet. This pretty route alongside the Deschutes River is breathtaking, and just what you need to get through that last leg of the race for runner #3. This is also where the course guide advises van folks to pull out along the river to take a quick dip in the river.
RUNNER #4: Legs 4, 16, and 28
Runner #4 will have a “hard” 7.1 mile leg to begin their journey at Whispering Pines. Runners should expect at this point that it will be hot and you’ll be in high desert conditions with double track trails and road. There are 2 water stations for runners on this leg, one at mile 3 and another at mile 5, but you are encouraged to carry your own hydration as well, as runners will not have van support on this leg. There is a road crossing at US-97, but be patient and follow instructions from your volunteers and you’ll do just fine. This is a relatively flat route with -10 feet of net elevation change and runners will finish at Military Crossing.
Leg #16 is a “moderate” 5.5 mile route that travels slightly uphill with 198 feet of total net elevation change. Runners will get to enter the Deschutes National Forest on this leg, and you’ll get some amazing star gazing in Big Sky Country. This route is also on light gravel, starting at Fort Rock Valley and ending at Cabin Lake.
Runner #4’s last leg will be the cherry on top, as leg #29 is only 2.1 miles long and rated as “easy.” This leg starts at Six Lakes Trailhead and finishes at Elk Lake Resort with only 20 feet of net elevation change. The costume contest starts on this leg, so the people-watching is well worth the journey to get to the last leg! The brewery sponsor will also be here from 9:00AM to 1:00PM and the road route will run alongside Elk Lake Resort, which boasts views of Mt Bachelor.
RUNNER #5: Legs 5, 17, and 29
Legs #5 and #6 will have to decide how to best split the distance between runners, so leg #5 will be between 6.7 and 8.7 miles long. This leg is considered “hard.” Legs #5 and #6 are considered “Beer Legs” and they are difficult for a few reasons. These legs will require battling the Military Crossing during the heat of the day and there will be lots of bug exposure as well. Runners will be running on soft and rutted red cinder, which is not the most forgiving surface. There is a bit of shade between mileposts where your van will decide to make the exchange. Leg # 5 has about -76 feet of elevation change.
Leg #17 is 7.1 miles, “hard,” and runners will get both gravel roads and regular road surface here. Runners will start at Cabin Lake and head to South Ice Cave and the route climbs with a net elevation change of 485 feet. It will be a quiet night for this leg, and not much to see. But there is so much beauty in the open range.
The last leg for runner 5 will be leg #29, which is 4.2 miles long and rated “hard.” This leg is in a bug zone and there is considerable climbing on this route with a total net elevation change of 542 feet. Runners start at Elk Lake Resort and hand off for their final finish at Devils Lake which is a gorgeous way to end!
RUNNER #6: Legs 6, 18, and 30
Leg #6 is similar to leg #5, with 5.4 to 7.4 miles to get through on a “hard” leg. This is also a “mosquito zone” leg, so don’t forget the bug spray. There is more of that lovely red cinder to run along here as well, with about 37 feet of net elevation change. This runner will have the North Klamath Marsh to look forward to and will also get a chance to run through a forest before meeting the first runner from van #2 at Military Junction for the relay’s first major exchange!
Leg #18 is a “moderate” 5.2 miles on paved road from the South Ice Cave into Willow Butte. The runner who takes this route on will have a climb ahead with 218 feet of new elevation change. This will lead the team into the 3rd major exchange where runners will celebrate the opportunity to get a shower, a nap, and some food at the La Pine Sleep Over Area.
The last leg for Van 1 and Runner 6 will be leg #30. Leg #30 will be the second and last “WTH!” rated leg at 7.1 miles long and some considerable hills. There will be 834 feet of net elevation change and this route takes runners from Devil’s Lake to Mt Bachelor’s West Village. If you’ve never been to Mt Bachelor, you’re in for a treat, as this is an epic way to finish the last leg of this relay!!
