Cascade Crest 100 (Easton, WA)
Cascade Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run
Easton, WA (fire station) → Easton, WA
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Cascade Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run is a point-to-loop 100-miler that starts and finishes at the Easton Fire Station in Easton, WA, covering 161 km with 7,816 m of vertical gain. The race traverses the Cascade Range through old-growth forest, exposed ridgelines, and alpine meadows, reaching a high point of 1,788 m. It is a demanding but runnable course that rewards disciplined pacing and smart crew use — with 13 checkpoints, multiple crew access points, and a brutally tight final cut-off of Saturday 19:00, this is a race where time management matters as much as fitness.
Course & Terrain
From the Easton Fire Station (678 m), the course climbs immediately into the Cascades, threading through dense Pacific Northwest forest on a mix of single-track, forest road, and trail. The first major landmark is Cole-Blowout Saddle at 20.1 km (1,207 m), which establishes the pattern that defines this course: punchy climbs to ridge saddles followed by descents into creek drainages. Tacoma Pass arrives at 40.9 km (1,086 m), and Stampede Pass at 58.3 km (1,149 m) is the first major crew point after the start. From there, the course rolls through Olallie Meadows (79 km, 1,082 m) and drops into Hyak at Snoqualmie Pass (87.4 km, 750 m) — one of the most accessible crew points and a useful psychological halfway marker. The second half of the course is consistently more demanding: Kechelus Ridge (100.4 km, 1,314 m) and No Name Ridge (131.3 km, 1,476 m) push into increasingly exposed terrain before the course climbs to its highest point at Thorpe Mountain (139 km, 1,748 m) and crests French Cabin (143.5 km, 1,550 m). A long descent to Silver Creek (154.5 km, 722 m) precedes the final 6.4 km back to Easton.
Decisive Climbs & Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The race has several sections that will break poorly prepared runners. The climb to Kechelus Ridge at 100.4 km (1,314 m) comes around the 60–65-hour point for mid-pack runners — after a night of running and a short stop at Hyak — and represents the first serious test of the second half. No Name Ridge at 131.3 km (1,476 m) is the critical gut-check: it sits just 29 km from the finish but carries a 12:30 Saturday cut-off that eliminates runners every year. Thorpe Mountain (139 km, 1,748 m) is the highest point on the course and comes with over 130 km already in the legs — the climb here in daylight on Saturday morning can feel relentless. The descent from French Cabin (1,550 m) to Silver Creek (722 m) drops nearly 830 m in 11 km, and fatigued quads on steep, rooted trail often cause the biggest time losses of the entire race. Get to No Name Ridge before 12:30 Saturday with a buffer — that is the single most important tactical goal.
Pacing Strategy
Cascade Crest demands conservative early pacing. The first cut-off at Cole-Blowout Saddle (20.1 km) closes at Friday 13:00, giving roughly 3 hours from a typical Friday morning start — which sounds generous but sets an early trap for runners who go out too fast and blow up before Stampede Pass. The window tightens significantly between Hyak (03:00 Saturday cut-off) and No Name Ridge (12:30 Saturday cut-off): that 43.9 km section includes Kechelus Ridge and must be covered in 9.5 hours through the coldest, darkest part of the night. Target arriving at Hyak with at least 30–45 minutes of buffer, then push steadily through Kechelus Ridge and Lake Kachess (cut-off 08:00 Saturday) before the final ridge push. The closing cut-off at the finish is Saturday 19:00, meaning the Silver Creek to finish segment (6.4 km) must be completed before 19:00 — leave Silver Creek no later than 18:00 to be safe.
Fueling & Crew Access
Crew can access the race at six points: the start in Easton, Stampede Pass (58.3 km), Olallie Meadows (79 km), Hyak/Snoqualmie Pass (87.4 km), Lake Kachess (111.4 km), Mineral Creek (120.7 km), Silver Creek (154.5 km), and the finish. This is unusually generous crew access for a 100-miler, and you should use it. The longest crew-less stretch is the opening 58.3 km to Stampede Pass, so carry adequate calories from the gun — plan for at least 5–7 hours of nutrition depending on your pace. Between Mineral Creek and Silver Creek (33.8 km through No Name Ridge and Thorpe Mountain), the terrain is the most remote and exposed of the entire course; stock up at Mineral Creek and carry extra food and layers for this section. Caloric needs are high given the 7,816 m of total gain — most experienced 100-mile runners should budget 250–350 calories per hour and err on the side of more in the cold overnight hours.
Weather & Conditions to Expect
The Cascade Crest 100 runs in late August in the Washington Cascades, but do not let the summer date lull you into under-preparing for the cold. Ridgeline elevations above 1,400 m — Kechelus Ridge, No Name Ridge, Thorpe Mountain — can drop to single digits Celsius overnight, and exposed sections are fully exposed to wind. Rain is possible at any point; the Pacific Northwest microclimate means you can have clear skies in Easton and full overcast on the ridges. Carry a waterproof shell, a mid-layer, and gloves from the start. The forest sections are typically technical and rooted, and sections near creek drainages can be muddy regardless of season. High point on Thorpe Mountain (1,748 m) offers expansive views in clear weather but is a significant liability in fog or rain — move efficiently and do not linger. Start your headlamp preparations well before dusk Friday; most runners will be on course for at least one full night.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
⚠ Auto-researched from public sources — aid stations and cut-offs may be incomplete. Confirm against the official roadbook before race day.
0 km · 678 m · —
7.2 km · 1152 m · —
20.1 km · 1207 m · Fri 13:30
31.7 km · 1554 m · —
40.9 km · 1086 m · Fri 17:00
51.3 km · 1387 m · —
58.3 km · 1149 m · Fri 20:30
69.5 km · 1125 m · —
79 km · 1082 m · Sat 02:00
87.4 km · 750 m · Sat 03:00
100.4 km · 1314 m · —
111.4 km · 749 m · Sat 08:00
120.7 km · 733 m · —
126.5 km · 1177 m · —
131.3 km · 1476 m · Sat 12:30
139 km · 1748 m · —
143.6 km · 1550 m · —
154.5 km · 722 m · Sat 18:15
160.9 km · 663 m · Sat 19:00
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Course data researched from public sources — verify against the official roadbook.