Welcome to the Dark Divide 50K page!
Date: September 5, 2027
Registration Opens 9/22 on UltraSignup!
We are excited to see you in September for the one of the dreamiest alpine 50Ks ever!
The Dark Divide Trail Races take place upon lands of the Cowlitz (Mishalpam, Táytnapam, Sλpúlmx), Xwáłxwaypam (Klikitat), and Yakama people.
THIS IS NOT AT ALL A BEGINNER LEVEL ULTRAMARATHON
This a 50K course that is as beautiful as it is difficult. It ascends up from the tranquil waters of the Cispus River to Tongue Mountain, then follows the stunning, sun-soaked, serrated ridgeline of Juniper Ridge out to Sunrise Peak and back. This course, which features over 9,000 feet of elevation gain, will also feature very technical trails, some very steep climbs, and some remote places. It will also provide you with miles of the best alpine ridge running on Earth, an indescribably spectacular panorama of the Cascade Range, and soul-stirring views nearby of volcanoes that will stay with you forever.
As this is a steep, technical, remote, and long 50K, you will have a generous 11 hour cutoff to make sure you get your hard earned finish with some time to take in the resplendent meadows and Cascade mountainscapes that will captivate your spirit! This is not a beginner-level ultramarathon. Please come with a deep respect for that fact in mind, and training sufficient to have a good time running on one of the wildest ridgelines in the Washington Cascades.
50K by the Numbers
50K Course Information
Here is an interactive map of the 50K course on Caltopo:
Click here to see course details, including vert & mileage:
Click here to see aid station details, crew access, and cutoffs:
Click here to download the course GPX file:
Key Times & Dates
Saturday, September 4, 2027 (Cispus Learning Center)
1:00 PM: Camping & bunkhouses open for runners and crew
Sunday, September 5, 2027 (Cispus Learning Center ~ Tower Rock Pavilion)
6:00-7:30 AM Runner check-in, race packet pick-up, and drop bag collection
7:45 AM: Race course briefing
8:00 AM: The Dark Divide 50 Kilometer begins!
7:00 PM: Final finish line cut-off
9:00 PM: All runners must be out of their campsites or dorms.
U.S. Forest Service Notice
This event is granted use by a Special Use Permit through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.