Races
Mountain Lakes
Southern Oregon. Mountain Lakes. Fourteen thousand feet. Crater Lake country. September snow possible.
100 mi+21,985 ft-21,988 ft30 hours3,232 ft to 5,764 fttech 5/106 stationsCrater Lake countryWSER qualifierSeptember
Distance100 mi
Gain+21,985 ft
Loss-21,988 ft
Altitude3,232 ft to 5,764 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 80°F
- Start4,928 ft
- High5,736 ft
- Low3,238 ft
- Finish4,925 ft
- Oregon at mile 0.0
- Mountain Lakes mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 6 hours
- Mountain Lakes mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 12 hours
- Mountain Lakes mile 60 at mile 60, cutoff 18 hours
- Mountain Lakes mile 80 at mile 80, cutoff 24 hours
- Finish Oregon at mile 100, cutoff 30 hours
Field, 2025 · 11-year sampleresults
Starters151
Finish rate53%
Median27:50
Sub-2416
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop928 ft-8.8% over 2.0 mi
Night miles41 misunset near 18:00 local
Longest climb1,696 ft55 mi at 0.6%
Course records
Men2:25:37Mark Wright
Women16:24:11Janessa Taylor
The cruxCrater Lake rim connector and the Diamond Peak views (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Mountain Lakes runs 100 mi through Oregon. +21,985 ft gain and -21,988 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 15% forest road. Crater Lake rim connector and the Diamond Peak views. High point near 5,764 ft. Low near 3,232 ft. September temps run 35°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 21,985 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 30 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
September in Oregon: plan for 35°F to 80°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 30 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 85% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Crater Lake rim connector and the Diamond Peak views near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Mountain Lakes finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2025): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=119656
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=37259
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=26597