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USA - Steep Mountain Terrain - Pacific Northwest Trails
Beast of Big Creek is a true mountain race in the Pacific Northwest and one of the most exciting additions to the Skyrunner World Series calendar. Set on the steep trails of Mount Ellinor in Washington State’s Olympic Mountains, this loop-format Skyrace® delivers a classic American mountain running test with forested climbs, exposed upper slopes and big summit views above Lake Cushman. With 22 km of racing and 1,600 m+ of climbing, Beast of Big Creek combines raw uphill effort, technical descending and a rugged PNW atmosphere in North America’s only 2026 Skyrunner World Series race.
Beast of Big Creek takes place on Mount Ellinor above Lake Cushman near Hoodsport, Washington, climbing one of the Olympic Mountains’ best-known steep summit routes. The official Mount Ellinor trail rises through forest to timberline before opening into meadows and exposed upper mountain terrain with wide views over Lake Cushman and Puget Sound. The organiser describes the race as mountain running above the clouds to the true summit of Mount Ellinor, which fits the steep and scenic character of this course.
The terrain is expected to be relentlessly steep, with a mix of lower woodland trail, rugged upper mountain ground and fast descending on technical Pacific Northwest singletrack. Mount Ellinor is widely known as a strenuous route with over 3,300 ft of elevation gain on the hiking trail itself, which gives a good sense of how tough the mountain feels even before race pace is added. This is a race built for strong climbers, confident descenders and runners who enjoy steep, honest mountain terrain rather than smooth runnable trail.
The race is based near Hoodsport on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, close to Mount Ellinor and Lake Cushman. For most international and domestic athletes, the simplest access is via the Seattle area and then onward by road to Hoodsport. The official race site places the event in Big Creek, Hoodsport, WA, while Mount Ellinor is part of the Olympic National Forest.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – Main international gateway for the race area
Paine Field / Snohomish County Airport (PAE) – Smaller regional option north of Seattle
Portland International Airport (PDX) – Alternative option with a longer onward drive
The most practical base is Hoodsport or the wider Lake Cushman area, which keeps athletes close to the mountain and race venue. Some runners may also choose to stay elsewhere on the Olympic Peninsula, but being near Hoodsport makes race-morning logistics much easier. The race organiser consistently positions the event around Big Creek / Hoodsport / Olympic Peninsula, so that is the clearest location anchor for accommodation planning.
Pacific Northwest mountain weather can change quickly, even in summer
The climbing is steep, so save energy early and pace the ascent smartly
Grip matters on the upper mountain trail and fast descents
Staying near Hoodsport or Lake Cushman will make race logistics easier
Bring layers for summit exposure and cooler early starts
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