You are in for a real treat if you like single-track trail, crossing bridges, running through old-growth forests, ascending and descending mostly short, moderate climbs – all along an emerald green river. Ninety percent is single-track trails. You will run less than a mile of pavement.
The 50K course has 5,800 feet of gain. The start is near the Masters Bridge and the finish is at Lemolo Lake.
Please look at this interactive map where you can zoom in and out and change the layers.
The BLM also has an interactive site that explains the different trail segments.
Start to Aid Station 1 (Medicine Creek)
Immediately after the start, a short, but steep climb awaits. In this section, you will run along an old roadbed, into Dark Canyon, through a forest of Douglas-fir and big-leaf maple, and below the volcanic remnants of Eagle Rock and Old Man Rock. You will pass several side trails and a water viaduct and climb a steep section of trail with views of the Soda Springs Dam and Reservoir below.
Aid Station 1 to Aid Station 2 (Toketee Lake Campground)
You immediately drop down and then ascend ~800ft in less than 1.5 miles before hitting some really nice single-track trail with great views. Next is a slight descent to the paved road for ~1/4 mile, arriving at Toketee Lake Campground aid station.
Aid Station 2 to Aid Station 3 (Dread & Terror)
Just after the aid station, you pass over the North Umpqua River and turn left, following the river. About 1.7 miles into this segment, you hit a gravel road (Road 3401). You will run along this dirt/gravel road for 1.5 miles before meeting the trail again at the Hot Springs Trailhead. This is the longest stretch of road you will run on. This needed to happen as a bridge crossing on the North Umpqua Trail at Deer Creek is washed out. After the Hot Springs Trailhead you enter into the “Dread and Terror” section for the North Umpqua Trail – named by two rangers in 1908 – in reference to the disagreeable possibility of fighting forest fires in the impenetrable thickets of white thorn brush in the area and the steep canyon. You will pass Surprise and Columnar Falls and other unique forms of flowing water.
Aid Station 3 to Aid Station 4 (Canal)
You continue following the river in the narrow canyon slowly gaining elevation. There are a few steep and longer climbs a couple miles out from the aid station, the last being immediately before crossing the North Umpqua River for the last time on a bridge. The climb is steep. Be prepared. It will surprise you. The trail then follows the river before climbing slightly to White Mule/Lemolo Falls Trailhead at Road 2610.
Aid Station 4 to Finish
You will cross over the road and run a short section of trail (~.75 miles) before hitting Road 2610, crossing Lemolo Lake Dam, climb a short, steep hill and then finally turning into Lemolo Lake Resort and the FINISH near the lake’s edge.
The 50K has 5,800′ of elevation gain.
There are four aid stations along the course. Aid stations offer your typical ultra fare: PB&J, crackers and cookies, pretzels, pickles, fruit, GU gels, GU electrolyte drink, soda, and water. Runners are welcome to carry their own food too.
Go Beyond Racing is cupless. You’ll need to bring your own cup for liquid aid at all aid stations. You can refill bladders and bottles too. Read more about what it means to be cupless.
| Aid Station | Segment Distance | Cumulative Distance | Crew Access | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine Creek | 5.9 | 5.9 | ||
| Toketee Lake Campground | 7.4 | 13.3 | Yes | 12:00 p.m. |
| Dread & Terror | 7.8 | 21.1 | ||
| Canal | 8.1 | 29.2 | ||
| Finish | 1.3 | 30.5 |
There is a 12:00 p.m. cutoff at Aid Station #2 (Toketee Lake Campground, mile 13.3). Runners who do not depart prior to 12:00 p.m. are not allowed to continue.
There is crew access at Toketee Lake Campground and the Canal aid stations. There is no crew access at any other location on the course. Crews accessing their runners elsewhere, and runners accepting aid from crew elsewhere will be disqualified.
Pacers are not allowed.
Directions To Aid Station 2 (Toketee Lake Campground – Mile 13.3)
There are no drop bags for this race.
