A clockwise loop out of Easton, Washington through the Cascade Mountains, with 30 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, a passage through the 2.5-mile Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel, and a rope-assisted descent near the finish. One of the most demanding mountain 100-milers in the country, and a dual Western States and Hardrock qualifier.
Quick facts
- Location: Easton, WA (start/finish, local fire station)
- Date: July 17, 2026; start 9:00am Friday
- Distance: 100 miles, clockwise loop; 34-hour cutoff
- Website: cascadecrest100.com
- Contact: Via cascadecrest100.com — held under special use permit through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and Washington State Parks
- Registration: Via UltraSignup. A Western States 100 and Hardrock 100 qualifier. Founded in 1999.
Course description
A clockwise loop beginning and ending at a local fire station in Easton, climbing through the Wenatchee and Snoqualmie-Mt Baker National Forests. Course highlights include 30 miles of “buttery” Pacific Crest Trail singletrack, passage through the 2.5-mile Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel (a former railroad tunnel), alpine meadows, mountain passes, and dense Pacific Northwest forest. Late in the course, runners face the notorious “Cardiac Needles” climb near mile 82 and a rope-assisted descent before reaching Thorpe Mountain and the final push to the finish. The surface mix is roughly 70% trail, 26% forest road, and 4% paved road.
Elevation change
Over 23,000 feet of elevation gain, ranging from the low point at Easton (2,140 feet) to the high point atop Thorpe Mountain (5,840 feet) — sustained mountain climbing throughout, consistent with its reputation as one of the toughest 100-milers in the Pacific Northwest.
Aid stations
15 full aid stations plus 3 water-only stops along the route, with a mix of crew-accessible and hike-in-only locations. Several stations have hard cutoff times (e.g., Tacoma Pass by 5:00pm, Stampede Pass by 8:30pm — where runners must leave with lights), and some sections, including between Hyak and Lake Kachess, prohibit crew vehicles entirely. Drop bags are accepted at select stations with strict size limits.
Special conditions & average temps
Mid-July in the Washington Cascades typically brings warm, dry days and cool alpine nights, though weather at elevation can shift quickly. The technical, root- and rock-strewn PCT sections combined with the tunnel crossing and rope-assisted descent make this a genuinely demanding mountain course better suited to experienced 100-mile runners than a first attempt.
Recent results — top 3, men & women
2025
- Men: 1. Jimmy Elam 17:08:55 · 2. Adam Frye 20:27:47 · 3. Nickademus De La Rosa 20:48:33
- Women: 1. Kaytlyn Gerbin 21:35:41 · 2. Audrey Lawrence 22:12:16 · 3. Madeline Wighardt 23:06:33
2024
- Men: 1. Jesse Lang 19:08:05 · 2. JT Lehman 19:33:39 · 3. Riley Robertson 20:58:10
- Women: 1. Katherina Laan 23:34:43 · 2. Laura Westmeyer 25:14:35 · 3. Sara Myre 25:45:53
2023
- Men: 1. Brandon Benefield 19:56:28 · 2. Carl Koopmans 20:27:57 · 3. Elan Lieber 21:45:24
- Women: 1. Yitka Winn 22:17:48 · 2. Amelia Boone 22:49:26 · 3. Corrine Malcolm 23:30:49
Registration deadline & how to get in
Registration is handled through UltraSignup; check cascadecrest100.com for the current year’s opening date and field cap, as this popular Western States/Hardrock qualifier tends to fill quickly. No formal qualifying race is required to enter, though the technical, mountainous course demands real trail experience.
Traveling to this race? Find lodging near the venue via Hotels.com.