Baker Lake Classic 25k
Sunday October 6th 2024
Registration closes October 4th
Entry Fee – $70 ($76.87 w/ fee)
Shirt – $25 ($29.84 w/ taxes & fee)
Register Online
Buses leave at 8:00. All runners must be on a bus or have arranged transport to the start by this time.
Baker Lake Classic 25k occurs in a beautiful serene fall setting. Stands of giant old growth trees draped in lichen and covered in moss are some of the highlights along this trail. This trail leads into a majestic stand of douglas fir that regrew after Mt. Baker erupted and started a forest fire in 1843. You can still see the burned snags of the cedar trees that once dominated the area. From north to south, the trail contours the eastern shoreline of Baker Lake, offering glimpses of Mt. Baker. All along the trail spot western trillium, twinflower, foamflower, coralroot and twisted Stalk.
The Baker Lake Classic 25k is a 15.6 mile trail run through the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. We started this race in 2015 because we absolutely love the 50k, but we know that some people couldn’t handle the distance. This race is everything that’s great about the 50k at half the distance. The best part is you can do one then the other a week later!
Race registration includes transportation to the race start, aid stations, awards and lots of good food and beverages at the finish. If any Race shirts are left they can be purchased during the bib pickup prior to loading on the bus, or once you’ve finished and are cooling down.
Transportation and Parking
This course begins at the far north end of Baker Lake Road (FS-11) (about 26 miles from Highway 20). If participants choose to park in this parking lot: they will need a forest service pass and to organize a ride back to their car after the race is over. These participants must pickup their packet from the finish area (Kulshan Campground) prior to going to the start. Buses will carry participants only and will depart the finish area: Kulshan Campground between 7:30 & 8:00 a.m. for the race start at north end of the trail. Runners may leave bags with extra clothing at the start. Bags will be unloaded at the race finish.
Schedule of Events
7:00 am | Check-in |
8:00 am | Buses leave. Check-in is over. |
9:00 am | Race Start |
4:00 pm | Course closes |
Lodging and Camping
Kulshan Campground (located at Finish) is owned by Puget Sound Energy. All runners, their families, and friends are welcome to stay at the campground for free. There is no electricity or water at the campsites, but there are heated restrooms with electricity and water. There are no showers. Bring your RV, tent, or car to sleep in. There are picnic tables, fire rings, and a RV dump station. Fabulous views, hiking, fishing, and boating are some of the outdoor recreation activities available. You can’t make reservations at the campground, so please don’t try. PSE allows us to use their campground, restrooms, and property to hold our race and we want to keep the great relationship we have with them. Last year there was plenty of room for everyone that wanted to camp, but to be on the safe side arrive early to pick your spot, 1st come 1st served!
Getting Here
Take I-5 Exit 232 (Cook Road) and head east towards Sedro-Woolley. After 4.3 miles, turn left at the light onto State Route 20. Proceed on SR 20 for 17.2 miles (just past milepost 82), then turn left onto Baker Lake Road (heading north). Drive for 13.8 miles, then turn right onto Baker Dam Road (USFS 1106) (look for sign that says Baker Lake Dam, Kulshan Campground on the right side of the road). Drive for 1.4 miles to the Kulshan Campground parking area (1/4 mile before Baker Lake Dam). Alternatively use the google maps link at the top of the page.
Course Information
The race starts at the end of Baker Lake Road at Baker Lake Trail #606. Trail #606 is a wide path approximately .6 miles. Runners begin their 13.3 mile trip along Baker Lake Trail #610, crossing the Baker River Suspension Bridge (.6 miles) on the north end, various small creeks, slippery bridges and a large log with a handy cable to help you cross Anderson Creek (12 miles). At the end of trail #610 runners will finish their last 1.6 miles on Baker Dam Road (14 Miles), to the Upper Baker Dam on the south end, to complete the 25k. The race finishes in the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Kulshan Campground, where campers can enjoy a free campsite the night before or after the run.
The 13.3 mile long, single track trail meanders along the east side of Baker Lake with short trips into deep, old growth forest. The trail is rolling, with countless rises and descents, and turns along the hillside. mossy, slippery footbridges are strategically placed to wake the runner from any lapse in concentration. Fresh fallen multicolored maple leaves cover the landscape. Tricky steps across log bridges, and views from bridges over cascading streams, can invite pictures and side trips along the lake.
Aid Stations
Due to how remote the trail is the 2 aid stations on the trail will only have water. The only way to get to the aid stations is by trail access or by boat.
Start – Snacks water and electrolyte drink, portable toilets & heated tents
Noisy Creek Aid Station (Mile ~ 5) – Water only
Maple Grove Aid Station (Mile ~ 10.5) – Water only
Finish Area – Hamburgers, Vegie Burgers, Soup, Variety of chips, snacks, soda, water, electrolyte replacement drink, and other beverages
Drop Bags
Runners will be able to place any bag they bring to the start in our van. These bags will be taken to the finish area and placed on/in a tarp. Please do not put any valueables within these bags.
Course Map
Refund Policy
For most of our races we do not offer refunds or bib transfers. We do allow participants a one-time deferral to the next year, or their fee towards another of our events within a year of the original event’s date as long as we are contacted before the event starts.
In the event we have to change the date of our event, we will offer refunds* until the originally scheduled event date, or 7 days after we’ve notified participants, whichever is later. After this time we will only offer a deferral until the newly scheduled date.
Should we have to cancel an event ouright, we will offer a refund* or an entry in next year’s event.
*If possible we will get Databar/UltraSignup to refund to the payment method used, if not we will send a check for the amount paid minus the fee Databar/UltraSignup charges.