Overview
Wake up to crisp mountain air, hop the sunrise shuttle, and run straight into a sea of balsamroot and lupine on the sunny side of the North Cascades. Sun Mountain’s trails roll through ponderosa forest and open ridgelines with postcard views of snow-capped peaks and the Methow River far below. After your victory lap at Chickadee Trailhead, shuttle back to Big Twin Lake for live music, local beer, and endless slices of wood-fired pizza, because every good run deserves an even better party.
Key Highlights
Located on the edge of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness, overlooking the Methow River Valley
Trails are mostly smooth and runnable with moderate climbs
Spectacular scenery with wildflower meadows and distant Cascade peaks
Registration
Opens
TBD
Closes
TBD
Registration Fee
$230, $180, $155, $150
UTMB Index Qualifier
Official race details:
This race is Trail Mix Fund eligible!
The Trail Mix Fund helps remove barriers in trail racing by covering race entry fees for under-served and under-represented runners, creating a more diverse and welcoming start line.
Course
Distance:
50
M
Course type:
Unknown
Elevation gain:
▲
9,500 ft
Elevation loss:
▼
4,300 ft
Max altitude:
2,620 ft
Start time:
5:00 AM
Cutoff time:
16HR, 14HR, 6.5
Course Description
All four routes start and finish at Chickadee Trailhead, weaving through the Sun Mountain network on well-groomed singletrack and doubletrack. Expect flowing climbs, smooth descents, and just enough rocky spice to keep you awake. Wildflower meadows burst with color in May, and distant spires of the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness line the horizon. New for 2025, every distance is 100 percent dirt; no pavement, no problem.
Distance Highlights
50M follows an extended figure-eight that tags high ridges twice for maximum panoramas and opening loop before diving into aspen groves and sage-covered hillsides
20M threads the best ridgelines of the lower network
25K delivers a punchy sampler of Sun Mountain’s greatest hits
Logistics
Driving Directions
Parking
All participants and crew park at Big Twin Lake Resort. No parking, drop-offs, or pickups are allowed at Chickadee Trailhead or along Sun Mountain roads. Day parking is included with race entry; crew shuttle passes are ten dollars per adult.
All parking at Big Twin Lake Resort; no parking at Chickadee Trailhead
Lodging
Big Twin Lake Resort offers min 3-night race-weekend packages: tent sites from $45 and full-hookup RV sites from $145. Additional options in Winthrop include Sun Mountain Lodge, North Cascades Mountain Hostel, Methow River Lodge, River’s Edge Resort, and numerous Airbnb rentals. Book early! May is busy in this region.
Aid Stations
Stations are approximately every six to ten miles. Volunteers track bib numbers and enforce listed cutoff times to keep the event on schedule.
What's Included
Standard spread of water, Gnarly electrolytes, soda, fruit, PB&J, Oreos, candy, chips. Vegan-friendly. 🌱 This is a cupless race so bring your own flask/cup. First-aid & period products available. Drop bags allowed at every aid station.
Race Requirements
Complete 50-mile trail race between the year prior to the race, OR any 100-mile trail race (date doesn’t matter). If you don’t complete the requirement, you cannot race and there are no refunds. You can register before completing the requirement, but you must finish it a month before the race.
Trail Work
Mandatory Gear
Recommended, but not mandatory, gear includes: hydration system holding at least one liter, weather-ready layers, a course map or GPX file on watch ⁄ phone, and a portable power bank.
Policies
One-earbud headphone use is permitted for runners only.
Event Details
Drop Bags
One labeled drop bag per aid-station location (except at the Ridge) plus an optional finish-line bag may be left on tarps at check-in. Bags return to Big Twin after each station closes; unclaimed bags are held twenty-four hours before donation.
Bib Pick-up
Packet pick-up happens during runner check-in at Big Twin Lake Resort on race mornings; please bring photo ID and be ready to board your assigned shuttle.
Schedule
Friday
2:00PM → Camping check-in opens at Big Twin Lake Resort
10:00PM → Camping check-in closes
Saturday
3:30AM → Runner check-in opens (50M, 50K)
4:15AM → Shuttle departs with 50M runners
5:00AM → 50M start
5:15AM → Shuttle departs with 50K Wave 1
6:00AM → 50K Wave 1 start
6:15AM → Shuttle departs with 50K Wave 2
7:00AM → 50K Wave 2 start
9:15AM → Crew shuttles begin every thirty minutes
9:00PM → Finish line closes
Sunday
5:30AM → Runner check-in opens (20M, 25K)
6:15AM → Shuttle departs with 20M runners
7:00AM → 20M start
7:15AM → Shuttle departs with 25K Wave 1
8:00AM → 25K Wave 1 start
8:15AM → Shuttle departs with 25K Wave 2
9:00AM → 25K Wave 2 start
9:15AM → Crew shuttles begin every thirty minutes
1:30PM → Finish line closes
Monday
12:00PM → All campers depart Big Twin Lake Resort
Cancelations & Deferrals
Entries are not transferable.
No refunds or bib transfers.
If canceling:
31+ days before = 50% race fee credit + 100% of extras
7–30 days = 50% race fee credit + 50% of extras
<7 days = no credit
Cancellation by Rainshadow due to weather, fire, or other = 50% credit.
Dogs
Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome at the start / finish and Big Twin campground. Owners must clean up after pets and keep them off shuttle buses.
Kids
Children are welcome for the weekend; overnight campground access is available for a two-hundred-fifty-dollar family pass. The Kids Fun Run is on hiatus for 2025, but young adventurers can enjoy the lake, play structures, and finish-line festivities free of charge.
Crew, Pacers & Spectators
Crew and spectators must park at Big Twin Lake Resort and purchase a $10 shuttle pass (kids fourteen and under ride free). No private vehicles or drop-offs are allowed at Chickadee Trailhead or aid stations. Earbuds and headphone are not permitted for pacers and on-course crew.
Mandatory shuttle service for runners and crew ($10 per adult for crew; kids 14 and under free).
Volunteers
Rainshadow Running thrives on volunteer magic. Shifts range from early-morning check-in to full-day aid-station gigs. Perks include free food, finish-line drinks, and credit toward a future Rainshadow race. Sign up by emailing info@rainshadowrunning.com.
Charity & Beneficiary
A portion of every entry supports Methow Trails for year-round maintenance and trail building in the valley.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the race runs on the ancestral homelands of the sp̓aƛ̓mul̓əxʷəxʷ (Methow), Syilx (Okanagan), Nłeʔkepmx Tmíxʷ (Nlaka’pamux), the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples, who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Race entry fees are waived for tribal members; email info@rainshadowrunning.com for details.
About
Rainshadow Running
Rainshadow Running is known for hosting some of the most scenic, challenging, and well-loved trail races in the Pacific Northwest. Since 2006, we've brought runners together on rugged mountain trails, coastal bluffs, and remote desert ridges, places that inspire awe and demand grit.
Our races are more than just miles; they’re celebrations of community, nature, and the wild beauty of the land. Whether you're chasing a PR or just here for the post-race party with wood-fired pizza and bluegrass music, you're part of the Rainshadow family.
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