Run the World, Episode 4: Mount Baker / North Cascades Copper Ridge Loop

In Run the World series, RunGo’s team of run-loving employees will take you on a tour of their favourite runs around the world. Each run will feature a different region, with tons of photos to get you motivated and a link to RunGo’s route, so you can follow the run with voice navigation. Whether it’s road or trail, it will be something to add to your running bucket list. 

Episode 4: Mount Baker / North Cascades Copper Ridge Loop, just outside Bellingham
Distance: 52 kilometers! (That’s 32 miles.)
Elevation Change: Lots. 2,776m of gain. (That’s 9,107 feet.)
RunGo Route to Follow: Copper Ridge Loop 52k
Running Club to Go With: Cascade Mountain Runners

Why You’ll Love it

After driving down the beautiful forest roads away from Bellingham, this run is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Have you ever run through the Mount Baker Wilderness area and the North Cascades National Park? They are enchanted places. You’ll go down lush, open valleys dotted in paintbrush, along the beautiful Chilliwack River right near the Canada/US border, and then the “run” (sometimes a hike) takes you on a total different spin, taking you way up rocky ridges, past cascading waterfalls, alpine lakes, and into the deepest greens and browns you’ve ever seen. What’s more, you even get to cross the Chilliwack River in style, via cable car!

Cautions

Not for the faint of heart! This route is already 53km, and with lots of brush in the way of the trail, and lots of elevation, it may be one of your longest ultra runs to date! But the more time out running, the better, right?! In all seriousness, there is no cell phone reception so you’ll want a buddy, because it’s a remote loop with no escape route, which is also what makes this route so beautiful. Honestly, most people do this route as a 4 day hike, so it’s an ambitious trail run in one go. Expect a long day with fewer kilometers / hour than normal because of the brush along the trail. Other things to note are that it will probably rain, and the brush will probably cut your legs at some point, so you may opt for cropped pants for this run. Oh yeah, and there are two icy cold stream crossings to keep you cool, when we ran the route they were up to our knees. Thankfully they are side by side and sort of a welcome feeling for tired feet! Yes, lots of cautions. But well worth it!

For more on the Copper Ridge Loop, check out the Copper Ridge Loop on the Washington Trails Association website, or go for a beer with the local Bellingham-based Cascade Mountain Runners to get all the details before or after you head out!

Happy trails!

Run the World, Episode 3: Temescal Canyon Loop

In Run the World series, RunGo’s team of run-loving employees will take you on a tour of their favourite runs around the world. Each run will feature a different region, with tons of photos to get you motivated, and a link to RunGo’s route, so you can follow the run with voice navigation. Whether it’s road or trail, it will be something to add to your running bucket list. 

Episode 3: Temescal Canyon Loop, just outside Los Angeles
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Change: 400 meters, mostly all in the first mile!

Why You’ll Love it

This run is a true classic, a runner’s and hiker’s favourite in the beautiful Santa Monica mountains in L.A. The loop takes you to a beautiful view overlooking downtown L.A, Malibu, and the Santa Monica pier and back in only four miles, with no filler. You’ll get to run the best of the Santa Monica mountains, including soft paths through ferns, dense forest, wide-open canyons, and a fair share of steep climbing – and you may even see a waterfall, depending on the season.

Cautions

Beware of cacti! We recommend that you keep on the trail, since there are some spiky plants along the trail.

For a great map of the area check out the LA Mountains website.

RunGo Route to Follow: Temescal Canyon SoCal Coyote Run

Happy trails!

Run the World, Episode 2: Howe Sound Crest Trail

Episode 2: Howe Sound Crest Trail, just outside of Vancouver, Canada
Distance: 29km
Elevation Change: Depends on the direction you travel. The extra challenging way is from Porteau Cove to Cypress, and offers 2,600 meters of elevation gain. (That’s a whopping 8,530 feet!) The *slightly* easier, still very challenging way, is Cypress to Porteau Cove, offering 1,830 meters of elevation gain! (Still 6,000 feet!)

In Run the World series, RunGo’s team of run-loving employees will take you on a tour of their favorite runs around the world. Each run will feature a different region, with tons of photos to get you motivated and a link to RunGo’s route, so you can follow the run with voice navigation. Whether it’s road or trail, it will be something to add to your running bucket list. 

Why You’ll Love it

This run is a true classic, a runner’s and hiker’s favorite near to RunGo’s home base in beautiful Vancouver, BC. The point-to-point run takes you along a ridge with panoramic views of British Columbia’s Howe Sound. Run in-between the iconic, granite Lions, gallop past alpine lakes and through technical rock scree, and feel challenged with both great climbs up and down and technical trail underfoot. When you’re not stunned by the view overhead, you’ll be entertained with the challenging terrain – rocks, routes, and nearby cliffs!

Cautions

Beware of trying this in winter, unless you’re trained in winter travel. We advise traveling the route once you’re sure it’s free of snow – August and September are great times to go run it. Because you’ll be up on a ridge, this run is best during a day with good weather. Also, be aware that this is a point to point route, we recommend having two cars for the trip – one at each end – as there isn’t any public transportation in this area. Finally, don’t be surprised if this takes you a full 8 hours to run – much of it is very technical and almost hiking pace!

More great photos can be found on the Trails BC website!

RunGo Route to Follow: Howe Sound Crest Trail 29k

Happy trails!

Run the World, Episode 1: Ship’s Stern Circuit

Marathon & Beyond has teamed up with the RunGo team, a group of run-loving employees who would like to share with you some of their favorite runs around the world. Each run in the “Run the World” series, will feature a different region, with tons of photos to get you motivated and a link to RunGo’s route, so you can follow the run with voice navigation. Whether it’s road or trail, it will be something to add to your running bucket list. 

Episode 1: Ship’s Stern Circuit, Lamington National Park, Australia
Distance: 21km
Elevation Change: 1576 meter cumulative elevation change

Why You’ll Love it

This run takes you through one of the most beautiful rainforests we’ve ever seen. Discover waterfalls, open views of lush, cascading valleys, and be treated to soft, rolling terrain that keeps you feeling fresh. What’s more, Lamington National Park treats you with a temperature that is much cooler than the Gold Coast’s typical scorching temperatures. 

Cautions

Beware of leeches! These little critters are harmless though, and good motivation to run faster!

RunGo Route to Follow: Ship’s Stern Circuit 

Happy trails! 

Alicia, from the RunGo team