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 unforgettably unique and stunning trail race experience. The power and resilience of Mother Nature is truly on full display here in the backcountry.

Backcountry Rise includes three different challenging and remote loop courses: a 50 miler, 50K and 20 miler. Each race offers big climbs, sweeping descents and stunning ridgeline views of the surrounding Cascade Volcanoes, high mountain lakes, rushing creeks and abundant wildlife, especially resident mountain goats, elk and many more.

Our venue is the spectacular Mt. St. Helens Science & Learning Center, itself designed as the original volcano observatory on the Monument. Perched on the slopes above Coldwater Lake and oriented toward the Mount St. Helens caldera and blast zone, the venue offers a scenic, family-friendly base camp location.

Land Acknowledgement: We recognize that we gather for this event on the traditional, unceded lands of the Cowlitz people who have occupied and stewarded these lands for countless generations. We respect their right to self-determination and their sacred connection to these lands and waters.