Venue information, Middle Fork Valley

This event is being conducted under permit from the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. A Northwest Forest Pass will not be required for parking, since September 24 is National Public Lands Day, one of a few free days each year. Carpooling is encouraged.

Course information

There are two courses:

• 50 km (31.1 Miles) – Route Map
• 20 Miles (32.2 km)

Both courses start at the Middle Fork Trailhead and proceed up the Middle Fork Trail to the Dingford Creek bridge, then further up the valley and back. Both courses have modest climb, since the route follows the river, with a few meanders of the trail up and down the valley slope. The valley features views of the rugged mountain slopes, old-growth trees, majestic cliffs, lush forest, the swiftly-flowing Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, and perhaps some birds fishing along the river. Detailed route descriptions are below.

50k Course

1. From the start at the Middle Fork Trailhead parking area, cross the footbridge and proceed onto the Middle Fork Trail
2. The first aid station (#1/#3) will be at the junction of the Dingford Creek and Middle Fork Trails
3. From aid station #1, the route continues on the Middle Fork Trail to the bridge near Goldmyer Hot Springs
4. There is an ankle-to-shin-deep grade-level stream crossing 0.4 miles before (West of) the Goldmyer bridge, and runners will be provided adequate assistance to cross safely, e.g., a rope to hang onto
5. Cross the bridge by Goldmyer Hot Springs and reach the aid station #2 by the North end of the bridge
6. From aid station #2, the route goes West, down the valley on the Forest Service road (56 Road), turning left onto the Dingford Creek Trail and crossing over the bridge back to the South side of the Middle Fork
7. The route comes once again to aid station #1 at this point, making it aid station #3 also
8. The course returns to the Middle Fork Trailhead via the Middle Fork Trail, revisiting the first leg of the course in the other direction
9. Runners will pass by the start/finish point, where aid station #4 will be located
10. The course makes a monitored crossing of Middle Fork Road to the CCC connector trail, and runners may be asked by course monitors to stop briefly for automobile traffic
11. The route goes from the CCC connector trail, through the junction just West of the campground, and onto the CCC trail for nearly 3 miles West to where it meets Middle Fork Road
12. This will be aid station #5, the final aid station before the course returns along the CCC Trail and connector to the finish (once again via the monitored road crossing)

20 Mile Course

1. From the start at the Middle Fork Trailhead parking area, cross the footbridge and proceed onto the Middle Fork Trail
2. Aid station #1 will be at the junction of the Dingford Creek and Middle Fork Trails
3. From aid station #1, turn left to cross the Dingford Creek bridge
4. When the trail reaches the Forest Service road (56 Road), the course turns right onto the dirt road and proceeds a few miles to the turn-around point
5. The course returns along 56 Road to the Dingford Creek Trail and crosses the bridge again
6. The route comes once again to aid station #1 at this point, making it aid station #2 for the 20 Mile runners
7. The course returns to finish at the Middle Fork Trailhead via the Middle Fork Trail, revisiting the first leg of the course in the other direction

Distances were measured using a measuring wheel and bicycle odometer.

Aid stations

There will be five well-stocked aid stations on the 50k course and two on the 20 Mile.

The aid station will have at least water and some carbohydrate-rich foods, such as cookies, pieces of energy bar, bagel, fruity candy, fig bars, and/or bananas. There will be a few choices of these foods (both sweet and salty), along with electrolyte-replacement drink.

Schedule

Safety and Trail Etiquette

The trails will be open to others during the event. Please be courteous to them as well as to your fellow runners. We do not expect a lot of traffic, but please be safe and look out for automobile traffic when crossing or running along roads.

Most of the route is fairly easily runnable, but there are some sections that have sharp turns, roots, bumps, holes and other uneven spots in a few places, and it's important to pay attention to where you put your feet in such sections. Also, some of the rocky or rooty parts may make this course challenging in places for runners using footware with minimal cushioning or protection.

Participants are responsible for their own safety while participating, and the organizers are neither qualified nor equipped to render medical care in the event of a serious injury. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1 if a phone is available or ask for help from the nearest aid station. You are encouraged to bring a cell phone with you as a safety precaution, if you wish, although coverage is limited over much of the course.

Where the trails are narrow, please let other participants pass you if they want to get by. It is a passing runner's job to tell the person in front that they wish to pass.