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Gorge Waterfalls 100K & 50K
Race Details:
- Location: Cascade Locks, OR, USA
- Race Date: 04/18/2027
- Race Distances: 100 Kilometer, 50 Kilometer, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: Yes
Gorge Waterfalls 100K & 50K Description
The Gorge Waterfalls race brings a 50K and 100K each April through Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, based in Cascade Locks. The 50K runs point-to-point from Wahkeena Falls, while the 100K follows an out-and-back route past Multnomah Falls and up the Pacific Crest Trail toward Wyeth. Both distances share the technical, rocky singletrack of the Gorge 400 Trail and finish beneath the Bridge of the Gods. A UTMB Index race and Western States 100 qualifier, it’s become one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier spring ultras.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Gorge Waterfalls 100K & 50K Additional Details:
Both distances start with a mandatory shuttle to their respective starting points—Wahkeena Day Use Area for the 50K, Marine Park in Cascade Locks for the 100K—before winding back toward the same finish line under the Bridge of the Gods. Aid stations are fully stocked with Neversecond fuel and hydration, but the race is cupless, so bring your own cup for stops. The 100K’s out-and-back structure allows for crew access at more points along the course than the 50K, which keeps its middle miles quiet and self-supported. No pacers are permitted on either distance. Expect a mix of smooth singletrack and rocky, technical talus slopes throughout, plus some paved path connectors on the 100K’s outer legs — a demanding but genuinely scenic day in one of Oregon’s most photographed landscapes.
Course Information
Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Multiple Out and Backs, Point to Point
Surface: Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 17 hr (100K), 9 hr 15 min (50K)
# of Finishers
50K: 315 finishers
100K: 305 finishers (2026)
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 11,000 ft (100K), 5,800 ft (50K)
Elevation Loss: 11,000 ft (100K), 5,800 ft (50K)
Average Temperature
- Low: 34°F
- High: 51°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Ultramarathon Training Plans
Explore structured plans across every ultra distance, from your first 50K to 100 miles and beyond.
Things to Do in Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Food & Drink
Thunder Island Brewing
Sip a handcrafted beer with sweeping Columbia River Gorge views on the patio at Thunder Island Brewing, a family-friendly local taproom — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish line.
Outdoors & Trails
Eagle Creek Trail
Hike a scenic stretch of the Eagle Creek Trail past Wahclella Falls and Tunnel Falls, one of the Gorge’s most iconic waterfall trails — choose an easy segment for tired legs.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Multnomah Falls
See one of Oregon’s most iconic waterfalls at Multnomah Falls, a short drive from Cascade Locks along the Historic Columbia River Highway — a mostly-paved, easy viewpoint trail.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Cascade Salmon Hatchery
Take a self-guided tour of the Cascade Salmon Hatchery, just outside town, to see salmon up close — an easy, low-impact outing for recovering legs after race day.
Landmark
Bridge of the Gods
Cross the legendary Bridge of the Gods on foot or bike for sweeping views of the Columbia River and Table Mountain — a flat, easy, iconic photo stop.
Sports & Entertainment
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler
Cruise the Columbia River aboard the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, a regionally famous triple-decker vessel — a relaxed, seated way to take in the Gorge scenery after race day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Gorge Waterfalls 100K & 50K
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