Circumnavigations - the best adventure runs!

When I think about planning my weekends over a running year, I always find a couple races to do, but really adventure runs are what excite me most. Sometimes I do them with friends, sometimes with my dog Lucky, and sometimes solo, but always with a smile on my face. My favorite adventure runs are circumnavigations, defined as looping around something, for me usually a cascade volcano because that's what the PNW is spotted with. 

I've always liked looped course runs more than out-and-backs, but there is something extra special about running all the way around a mountain. I love seeing the mountain from all sides noticing the differences in terrain and plants and how the light hits each side of the mountain differently from sunrise to sunset. When I finish, I always feel like I did something special. 

Doing the same circumnavigation at different times of year and on different years is also very enjoyable. Spring snow fields, avalanche lillies, and trillium; summer rushing rivers, lupin, and paintbrush; autumn colors and ripe huckleberries and blueberries. Seeing the year to year changes of a circumnavigation from winter storms, summer forest fires, landslides, and plant growth reminds us that change is the only constant, but all change can be beautiful. 

I know not everywhere has circumnavigations, especially around volcanoes, but if you ever have the chance to run around a mountain I highly recommend it. Below are some of my favorites in the Yamakiasham Yaina or Cascade Range (most are yearly traditions): 

Tahoma - Mount Rainier

The Wonderland Trail is a 93 mile trail that completely circumnavigates Tahoma (Mount Rainier) with about 25,000ft of elevation gain. I recommend taking the Spray Park option because of much better views of the mountain and epic wildflowers, snow fields, and scree. This can be done in a single push (less than a day for FKTers or a day and a half for mortals), but I recommend doing it in 3 days so you get to enjoy all the views and scenery during daylight. It can be done either direction and starting from any of the three major trailheads - Longmire, Mowich Lake, or White River. You can fastpack it over 2-3 days by bringing some lightweight camping gear and lots of food or better yet talk a friend(s)/family member into crewing it for you. That way you get to run each day with only food/water for the day and your crew drives your camping gear from campground to campground. 

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Wy'east - Mount Hood

The Timberline Trail circumnavigates Wy'east (Mount Hood) and typically runners start at Timberline Lodge. Timberline Lodge is a great place to start from because there is plenty of parking, bathrooms, food, and lodging should you need it. You can run the loop in either direction, but counterclockwise is more popular. I've also done the loop starting at Ramona Falls Trailhead which is nice because you end on a long downhill instead of long uphill, but it does add mileage and a little vert to a pretty long hard day. The classic Timberline Trail loop is about 39 miles and 10,000 ft elevation gain. 

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Loowit - Mount Saint Helen's

The Loowit Trail circles Mount Saint Helen's and on paper doesn't look that hard - 29 miles and 7,000ft elevation gain - but in reality can feel much harder. How hard it is all depends on the weather. The thing with the Loowit trail is a large portion is very exposed to the sun and there are long stretches without water. On a cool, overcast day it's not bad, but on a hot, sunny day it can be brutal. Trail runners often start at June Lake Trailhead or Climbers Bivouac trailhead and most run clockwise. Loowit is one of my favorites because of the variety of terrain - forest, meadows, lava fields of boulders, washouts, loose pumice, and the moon-like Plains of Abraham. 

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Three Fingered Jack

The Three Fingered Jack loop is about 22 miles with about 3,000ft elevation gain and makes for an easier late spring/early summer circumnavigation. I've always started at Santiam Pass and ran clockwise as you get the climbing done early but it does leave you with a long exposed section that can get hot and dusty without a lot of water. I love to add a little out and back on Canyon Creek Trail and Glacier View Trails up to see the mountain goats and the turquoise glacier lake. This addition will add about 4 miles and 1300ft depending on how far up you go. 

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Broken Top

Broken Top loop has a couple options, but is about 22 miles and 4,000ft elevation gain. I start at Three Creeks and head up Tam McArthur Rim trail to go clockwise. There's some fun scree scrambling as you approach the high point and after a quick descent you're at beautiful turquoise No Name Lake (the highlight of the loop). Fast runnable trails await as you run towards Green Lakes before a return 5 miles through a burned area. In July 2023 there were hundreds fallen trees across the trail making for slow going. 

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Have you run any of these circumnavigations (or others) and what was your experience like? Please share in the comments below.