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 Description

Either loop can be completed in either direction.

50 Miler
Starting at the Bear Creek Trailhead at the end of Forest Road 040, you’ll start with a gentle climb up Bear Creek, connecting with the Dobbin Creek Trail after about 5.5 miles. This is where the fun part begins. After a 2800 foot climb, you’ll arrive at the top of the ridge and the old Standley cabin. Now you’re on the highlight of the lollipop, the Washboard Trail. Difficult to follow at times, this trail is open to and utilized by horses, so you should only have minimal troubles on two feet. After a break on established trail heading down the Minam River, the primitive Bear Minam Trail will take you back up to the Standley cabin. Make sure you fill up your bottles before departing the Minam River. Abundant water except for on the ridge.

Route includes Bear Creek Trail #1653, Dobbin Creek Trail #1654, Washboard Trial #1680, back to Bear Creek Trail heading south for almost 2 miles, Bowman Trail #1651, North Minam Trail, Minam River Trail #1673, Bear Minam Trail #1655, then back out on Dobbin Creek and Bear Creek trails.

37 miler
The much more attainable 37 mile loop consists of using the whole Bear Creek trail on the east side of Washboard Ridge instead of dropping all the way down to the Minam River on the west side of the ridge. It will save you a few miles, but more importantly the LONG climb from the Minam River up to the ridge. This shorter alternative should be achievable by most people in one day without any (or at least without much) nighttime travel.

Route includes Bear Creek Trail #1653, Dobbin Creek Trail #1654, Washboard Trial #1680, then back out on Bear Creek trail.

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: 7:14 PM PT