Alpine Solstice
13-1M55K
Alpine Running
Jun 20, 2026
OregonBig mountain ridgelines, high-alpine lakes, and a finish-line party under the pines
Overview
Elkhorn Crest is a blue-sky, big-views kind of day. You’ll ride the spine of Oregon’s Elkhorn Mountains on classic singletrack, dip to sapphire lakes, and climb back to windswept ridges where mountain goats roam. It is rugged, remote, and ridiculously beautiful. This is the race Alpine Running loves most for a reason. The 53M packs serious vertical and technical bite, and the 50K keeps the spirit high with stout climbs, a Lost Lake out-and-back, and a raucous descent to Sumpter. Expect well-run logistics, a cupless ethos, and a finish-line vibe worth sticking around for.
UTMB Index: trueTrail Sisters ApprovedCupless
Aid Stations
Aid stations are fully stocked with water, hydration drink, cola, ginger ale, PB and J, tortillas, chips, gels, bananas, and salty and sweet snacks. The 53M has six aid stations and the 50K has three. Shuttle delivers all runners to the Bourne start and the course returns to the Sumpter finish. The event is cupless so bring your own bottle or cup.
Logistics
Schedule
Friday
3:00PM-9:00PM | Free camping opens at Sumpter Fairgrounds for runners and crews
9:00PM | Quiet time begins
Saturday
3:45AM-6:00AM | Bib pick-up at Sumpter Fairgrounds
4:45AM | Shuttle departs for 53M start in Bourne. No runner drop-off at start
5:30AM | 53M start 6:15AM | Shuttle departs for 50K start in Bourne. No runner drop-off at start
7:00AM | 50K start 11:30AM | 53M cutoff at Pole Creek AS #3
12:00PM | 50K cutoff at AS2
3:00PM | 53M cutoff at Twin Lakes AS #4
6:00PM | 53M cutoff at Marble Pass AS #5
8:00PM | 50K course closes
11:30PM | 53M course closes
Post-race | Food and beer for runners and volunteers; friends and family can purchase. Awards for top three male and female finishers.
Bib Pickup
Race-morning only at Sumpter Fairgrounds from 3:45AM to 6:00AM. Bring ID and arrive early to board the shuttles on time.
Drop Bags
53M runners may use one drop bag at Twin Lakes Aid Station. Clearly label with name and bib number. Drop bags return to the finish after AS breakdown; unclaimed bags are not shipped. 50K has no drop bags.
Crew & Pacers
Visitors are encouraged to cheer at the Sumpter finish and enjoy post-race festivities. Due to limited parking at the start, all runners must use the shuttle and crews cannot drop runners at Bourne. Pacers are not listed in the event rules; assume no pacers unless the race directors announce otherwise in pre-race communications.
Volunteers
Volunteers are welcome and help power aid stations and finish operations. This race benefits the Baker High School cross-country team and local 4x4 group Locked & Loaded; volunteering supports both the event and these partners. Sign up via the organizer’s contact page.
Course aid station support
Finish-line food service and runner care
Set-up and tear-down at the fairgrounds
Swag & Medals
Registration includes shuttle to the start, a post-race meal, a finisher award, free camping at the fairgrounds in Sumpter, and a well-run alpine experience.
Getting There
The nearest large airport is Boise, Idaho, approximately a half-day drive from Sumpter depending on route and summer roadwork. Bend and Portland are longer drives but listed with organizer driving links for turn-by-turn directions. Use caution on forest roads and allow extra time.
Driving Directions
Start and finish operations are based at the Sumpter Fairgrounds.
Parking
All runners park at the Sumpter Fairgrounds and must ride the shuttle to the start in Bourne. There is no runner drop-off at the start due to limited parking. Visitors should plan to park at the fairgrounds and cheer at the finish.
Lodging
Free tent camping at the fairgrounds for runners and crews. Limited first-come-first-served RV sites at the fairgrounds with some electricity and water but no sewer and no AC use. Hotels are available in Sumpter and Baker City; check Sumpter Stockade, The Depot Inn, Best Western Sunridge Inn, and The Geiser Grand. Showers are available at the finish for 2 dollars and 50 cents for four minutes; bring quarters.
Bourne, oregon
Requirements
High-alpine mountain environment with long, exposed ridgelines and limited shade. Runners should be prepared for rapid weather changes, high-elevation effort, and sustained technical footing. Organizer requires cupless hydration and compliance with cutoffs and aid-station departure rules.
Mandatory Gear
53M requires at all times: the ability to carry 1.5 liters of fluid, a jacket, an emergency blanket, and a headlamp with spare batteries. 50K requires the ability to carry 1.5 liters; the rest is recommended.
Policies
Cancelations & Deferrals
Race Policies
Charity & Beneficiary
Proceeds support the Baker High School cross-country team and the local 4x4 group Locked & Loaded, both long-time partners staffing aid stations and supporting course access.
Land Acknowledgement
Elkhorn Crest takes place on the homelands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples who have stewarded these mountains and valleys since time immemorial. We honor their enduring relationship with this landscape and encourage participants to learn more and give back to Indigenous-led efforts in the region.
About Alpine Running
Alpine Running is a trail race organization rooted in the spirit of the Cascade Mountains, offering a collection of rugged, scenic, and soul-filling events across Oregon and Washington. Founded in 2017 by longtime mountain runner and nurse Trevor Hostetler, Alpine Running was born from a deep passion for wild places and the transformative power of endurance running. Since then, it has grown into a close-knit community of runners who value adventure, camaraderie, and purposeful connection to the trails.
At its core, Alpine Running embodies a low-key yet high-quality ethos. Events are marked by personal touches, from meticulously flagged courses to thoughtful safety planning and warm, volunteer-powered aid stations. Whether you’re pushing your limits in a mountain ultra or enjoying the views on a shorter course, every Alpine race is designed to challenge and uplift.
From the Elkhorn Crest 50 to other remote alpine races, Alpine Running events are as much about self-discovery as they are about competition. If you're seeking meaningful mountain miles with an authentic trail family, Alpine Running will welcome you with open arms and wild terrain.
Disclaimer
We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information on Kåduka, but details may change. Please always confirm the latest information on the official race website. See something that needs correcting? Send us a note at feedback@kaduka.app