Beast of Big Creek

UPDATED INFO COMING SOON

Skyracers, welcome to Mount Ellinor! Stoked to have you. We'll have more information for y'all shortly.

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THE COURSES

Updated routes with start/finish changes will uploaded very soon!
All races begin and end at Big Creek Campground by Hoodsport, WA.
The Skyrace is about 22km or 14 miles and leads on the Mount Ellinor trail from Big Creek campground to the actual summit of Mount Ellinor with a total elevation gain of over 5,100ft. There you turn around and head back to where you came from. The upper section of this trail is gnarly!
The Forest Loop follows along the Big Creek trail with a much more manageable elevation gain of about 1,200ft in 5 miles.
New for 2025: The Double Beast! Race the Skyrace on Saturday and the Forest Loop on Sunday for a total of 30km and 6,300ft. of vert.

Thanks to the efforts of the Mt. Rose Trail Crew, the track is in wonderful condition. Potential hazards include yellow jackets and horseflies the size of helicopters. Despite the danger, we ask that everybody remain on the trail (as long as it is safe to do so) to avoid any resource damage.

CUTOFF

For Skyrace: We are asking you to be back at the finish in ~6hrs. If you would like to join us but are worried you won't make it in time we will allow you to start 30min early. Please reach out to us to arrange this. The spirit of our event is that you get to the summit and back as fast as you possibly can; this is an athletic endeavor and a test of fitness rather than a hike.

For Forest Loop: We are asking you to be back at the finish in ~2hrs.

Aid Station

Skyrace: We will have a full stocked aid station about half-way up the mountain (at the upper trailhead parking lot). Aid station is stocked with water, Tailwind, soda, fruit, chips, pickles and a few other treats. Basic first aid supplies are available too. We invite you to our post-race grilling at the finish line.

Zero-Waste

All our races are cupless events, thanks to our sponsor Hydrapak. Bring a collapsible cup for fluids at the aid stations. For folks who forgot their cup you'll be able to purchase one at race pickup.
In our effort to reduce waste we will have very few trash cans at the event. We aim to recycle an and compost most of our waste. Please be mindful of our environment.

Weather

Beast of Big Creek takes place in early August. Often the early part of the race the woods are shady and cool, but once you make it above tree line you will be exposed to the sun. Prepare for alpine conditions. Bring sunscreen and potentially an extra layer.

Share the Trail

The trails are open to all other forest users on race day. Most everybody will be stoked to see you out there.

PACKAGE PICKUP

Updated information will be available closer to the event.

PARKING

Updated information will be available closer to the event.

CAMPING

More information coming soon! All rules and regulations around camping at the Big Creek campground of the National Forest Service still apply. Learn more about the campground here.

DIRECTIONS TO Big Creek

Address: Big Creek Campground, Hoodsport, WA 98548

FROM HOODSPORT

In Hoodsport turn left onto SR-119. The Big Creek campground is at the T-intersection where the Staircase and Mt. Ellinor roads meet.

FROM I-5 and Olympia

Take Exit 104 and merge onto US-101 N toward Port Angeles, Aberdeen. Keep right onto US Hwy 101 NW toward Shelton, Port Angeles and head to Hoodsport. In Hoodsport turn left onto SR-119. The Big Creek campground is at the T-intersection where the Staircase and Mt. Ellinor roads meet.

From Northern Peninsula

Head south on US Hwy 101 NW toward Shelton and Hoodsport. In Hoodsport turn right onto SR-119. The Big Creek campground is at the T-intersection where the Staircase and Mt. Ellinor roads meet.

PUBLIC LANDS USE

The Beast of Big Creek Trail Race is operating under a special use permit from the USDA - Forest Service on the Olympic National Forest. Our experience working with the Forest Service these past 11 years has been nothing but positive. Big ups to these dedicated professionals who truly want everybody to enjoy and protect our public lands.

And a honorable mention to the amazing Mt. Rose Trail crew for keeping up these amazing trail.

Read up on our Event rules