Brown Mountain Bigfoot Chase

Saturday, September 23, 2023

BSA Camp McLoughlin

Lake of the Woods, Oregon

40K starts at 8:00am.  10-Mile starts at 8:30am.  5K starts at 9:00am.

From Medford or Klamath Falls take Highway 140 to the Lake of the Woods area and turn south onto FS Rd 3601 (paved).  Camp McLoughlin will be on the left in a mile.  

From Ashland and California via I-5, take Dead Indian Memorial Rd. to just before the Lake of the Woods area; turn left onto FS Rd 3601 (paved).  Camp McLoughlin will be a few miles on the right.

Packet pick-up will be the morning of the race.  40K Check-in is 6:30am-7:45am.  10-Mile Check-in is 7:00am-8:15am.  5K Check-in is 7:30am-8:45am.  A pre-race briefing will be held at the start line for all events.

40K: Although not significantly difficult, technical, nor vert-filled, this course does require a bit of resiliency and self-reliance.  The middle of the course is remote and there are 9 miles between aid stations on this section, with no options to bail-out or turn back.  It is essential that runners carry required gear and sufficient fluids/fuel.

The race will start and finish at BSA Camp McLoughlin.  The course will start with a few hundred yards of singletrack (Boy Scout Trail) and then head north for a short bit on gravel FS Rd 3640.  The next 5 miles are wide, flat, and fast on the High Lakes Trail.  You'll reach the first of only 2 major aid stations at mile 6 during this section.  A short jaunt through the Fish Lake Resort and you'll climb a few hundred feet on a horse trail back to the High Lakes Trail.  Make your way back east to the intersection with the PCT (mile 8.5), where you'll find a water-only aid station.  The next 7.25 miles on the PCT cover a variety of terrain, but be sure to look over your shoulder while climbing the flank of Brown Mountain, as you'll get some of the best views of Mt. McLoughlin that you can find!  Descending quickly down the back of Brown Mountain you'll find a nice rolling section and then turn onto a quick out-and-back on the Brown Mountain Trail.  Here you'll reach the second major aid station at Blue Lick Rd. (mile 17.3).  Turn back the way you came, now traveling north on the Brown Mountain Trail.  After about a mile of flat you will start your last major climb, to the highest point on the course at 5,644'.  At mile 21 it's almost all downhill back to Camp McLoughlin via the Boy Scout Trail!

Total Elevation Gain: 2,279'

Aid Stations:

Pillette: Mile 6 (full aid station)

PCT: Mile 8.5 (water only)

Blue Lick: Mile 17.3 (full aid station)

Last Chance: Mile 20.7 (water only)

The Strava route can be found at https://www.strava.com/routes/2898330948063923456

 10-Mile: The race will start and finish at BSA Camp McLoughlin. The course will start with a few hundred yards of singletrack (Boy Scout Trail) and then head north for a short bit on gravel FS Rd 3640. The next few miles are wide, flat, and fast on the High Lakes Trail. Turnaround is at an unmanned aid at the Pacific Crest Trail, returning the way you came and then going a short bit south on Brown Mountain Trail, returning to the finish on Boy Scout Trail.

Total Elevation Gain: 631'

Aid Stations: PCT: Mile 4.5

The Strava route can be found at https://www.strava.com/routes/2971894759126554232

5k: The race will start and finish at BSA Camp McLoughlin. The course will start with a few hundred yards of singletrack (Boy Scout Trail) and then head north for a short bit on gravel FS Rd 3640. Then a wide, flat, and fast section on the High Lakes Trail, before turning around. The return heads onto the Brown Mountain Trail, then turns left on the Boy Scout Trail to head back into camp.

Total Elevation Gain: 155'.

The Strava route can be found at https://www.strava.com/routes/2898344926427466950 

As in "stuff we all get".  As if running a great race isn't enough, every 40K finisher will also receive a nice commemorative item (TBD- but ie. mug, stein, cap) as well as a finisher patch and medal and all-around nice goodie bag.  Finish party will include refreshments.  Shirts and other items are available as add-ons.  10-Mile and 5K finishers will receive a goodie bag, finisher medal and patch, and access to the finish party.

Camping (and maybe cabin rentals) will be available at BSA Camp McLoughlin.  Sorry, pets are not allowed at the camp.  

For every race we choose a local nonprofit to support with a portion of the proceeds.  For this race we will be supporting the local Scouting agency- Crater Lake Council.  Their goal is to create outdoor experiences for youth where they learn new skills and develop character.  Learn more at www.CraterLakeCouncil.org