A mountain race to the summit of magnificent Mount Ellinor in the Olympic Mountains; and an International Skyrunning Federation certified Skyrace.
And new for 2025: a qualifying race in the Vert Running Series by Mountain Running Races.
We're offering three race distances: a 22km/14 miler, a 8km/5 miler and for the first time for 2025 a double over two days.
What you come out here for is our Skyrace. A 22km with over 5,300ft of vertical gain and loss to the actual summit of Mount Ellinor. This one's tough and beautiful.
The shorter Forest Loop is a 8 km with 1,200ft of vert on lush trails along streams through old-growth forest.
The Double Beast is the Skyrace on Saturday followed by the Forest Loop on Sunday. Back to back days of racing.
The start and finish is at Big Creek Campground. We'll be having a finish line party and invite you to linger and cheer on the finishers.
Spend the weekend with us on the Olympic Peninsula. We'll be showing the Trail Running Film Festival Global Tour 2025 on Saturday Night.
Vert: 1,600 m/5,300 ft.
Location: Mount Ellinor
Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2025
Start Time: 7:00am
+ platform fees
Vert: 365 m/1,200 ft.
Location: Mount Ellinor
Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2025
Start Time: 9am
+ platform fees
Vert: 2,000 m/6,500 ft.
Location: Mount Ellinor
Date: 02 + 03 Aug 2025
Start Time: 7am/9am
+ platform fees
More space for you. We got an increase in our permit approved and will be allowed 250! runners for the three races across the weekend. Let’s go!
Two days of racing. We’re moving the Forest Loop race to Sunday. So you get a chance to race the Double Beast (and we can accommodate the increased number of runners).
Double Beast. You love the Skyrace. Why not follow it up the next day with the Forest Loop for a combined 30K and 2,000m of vert.
Trail Running Film Festival at Big Creek. We’re bringing TRFF’25 to your race weekend. Join us at one of the shelters at Big Creek campground on Saturday night.
Camping. We’ll take over the entire Big Creek campground for the weekend. Join us on Lake Cushman and party with us all weekend long.
Also new for 2025: The Beast of Big Creek Skyrace will be a qualifying race in the Vert Running Series by Mountain Running Races.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The trails are open to all other forest users on race day. Most everybody will be stoked to see you out there.
Updated information will be available closer to the event.
Updated information will be available closer to the event.
As in previous years we’ll be camping at the Big Creek campground of the Olympic National Forest. We begin filling loop A+B, but are allowed to book more sites this year. Pre-booking is now available via UltraSignUp.
You can book a campsite for:
To secure your spot you must pre-book with us before 7/20/2025.
All unused campsites will be made available to the general public via the usual onsite first-come first-serve booking method through the National Forest Service.
Why book with us: If you want to secure your spot on this busy summer weekend this is the way to do it.
All rules and regulations around camping at the Big Creek campground of the National Forest Service still apply. Learn more about the campground here.
Address: Big Creek Campground, Hoodsport, WA 98548
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.
Vert: 1,600 m/5,300 ft.
Location: Mount Ellinor
Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2025
Start Time: 7:00am
+ platform fees
Vert: 365 m/1,200 ft.
Location: Mount Ellinor
Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2025
Start Time: 9am
+ platform fees
Vert: 2,000 m/6,500 ft.
Location: Mount Ellinor
Date: 02 + 03 Aug 2025
Start Time: 7am/9am
+ platform fees
