Overview
The Cascadian Wilderness Endurance Series events present an exciting opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to participate in a multimedia adventure blogging contest. These self-supported/unsupported events are open to trail runners, backpackers, fastpackers, and hikers, and each event features a unique and defined route which participants must complete on foot and in one push. Unlike traditional endurance races, there are no course markings or aid stations along the way, providing participants with the freedom to create their own adventure. It’s all up to you! Participants can choose to tackle the route solo or with a couple friends. There are no cutoffs, so participants can take as much time as they need to complete the route without pressure. This unique event is not just about the physical challenge or exploring wild and beautiful places, but also about the opportunity to capture and share the beauty of the wilderness through captivating multimedia content.
1. After finishing your route, share your trip report about your experience. You can do this by posting in the Facebook group, tagging us in an Instagram post, making a YouTube video, creating a photo album, or any other artistic endeavor you can imagine.
2. Submit your time via the event page on Ultrasignup. If you have a GPS track, please include it. If you happened to get the FKT for the year, you must provide GPS proof.
3. Each year a meetup will be held in Seattle to wrap up the previous year, kick off the next year, make any big announcements about new routes or changes, and hand out patches, awards, and prizes for the previous year’s participants. If you are unable to attend the event, arrangements can be made to mail your patches to you.
We strongly encourage all entrants to join the CWES Facebook Group and/or follow the @CascadianWildernessEndurance Instagram to ask questions about the routes, gather and share trail beta, connect with other participants, scope out the competition, and keep up to date on the most recent news, information, and general goings on. This contest is brought to you by the Cascadian Wilderness Endurance Company LLC.
Route
The journey actually begins in your car on the gravel, windy road that leads you up one of the highest roads in Washington to Hart's Pass and the PCT trailhead. This is where the real adventure begins: in the beautiful alpine meadows, rugged ridges and mountain peaks of the Pasayten Wilderness.
Follow the PCT north for about 18 miles to the junction with Rock Creek Trail #473. This section of the PCT offers incredible views and alpine meadows filled with wildflowers.
Follow the Rock Creek trail for 7-8 miles. This trail is not as well traveled as the PCT so keep an eye out for the trail as it crosses numerous streams and meadows.
Turn Right at the junction with TR #478/498 (Buckskin Ridge) and continue to follow the Buckskin Ridge Trail #498 for the remaining 16 miles. This high ridge trail passes by two beautiful mountain lakes and offers amazing views across the Middle Fork of the Pasayten River and the impressive peaks just beyond.
The trail dumps you out at the Slate Pass Trailhead just above where you started. Simply walk ¼ mile down the road to your car back at the PCT Trailhead.
This route can be done in either direction.
Trailhead Directions
Take Hwy 20 to Mazama,WA. Go Northwest past Mazama on the Lost River Road for 7.5 miles. Continue for 13 miles on the gravel Forest Service Road 5400 (Hart's Pass Rd) to Hart's Pass. At Hart's Pass, turn right and pass the guard station cabin and drive uphill a mile or two to the PCT trailhead—to the left of the first switchback. The Hart's Pass Road is a windy, gravel road not suitable for trailers. High ground clearance is required. 4WD is recommended but not required. Camping is available at the Hart’s Pass Campground.
Rationale
Why should you pay $20 to complete one of the endurance challenges? A small part of the fee will go to cover website maintenance and domain registration, as well as getting patches made and other small goodies/swag. The majority of this fee will be donated to trail maintenance organizations.
Why are we even doing this? To get people out into the wonderful wilderness areas that we have here in the Northwest and to build the community of adventurous people! The trip report is just as important as actually finishing the route, and we love it when people come up with creative ways to share their experience. Information isn't always readily available for these areas, and maps can be scarce and not always reliable (especially the Pasayten and Frank Church/Selway Wildernesses.) That can intimidate some that aren't as experienced outdoors-people. The goal is to empower people to get out into these wilderness areas and hopefully to protect them into the future.
Event's current local time: 9:10 AM PT
