Out Trails LGBTQ+ Running Retreat - North Cascades

The Out Trails LGBTQ+ Running Retreat – North Cascades is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ runners to celebrate their community and delve deep into an incredible landscape. The North Cascades, sometimes called the 'American Alps', are an incredible, glaciated mountain range in Washington state. Their dramatic relief and wooly shoulders rush down into lush drainages of evergreens and cascading rivers. Runner's will explore the ridgelines on and around Mt. Baker during this trip.

Runners & Hikers Welcome

Out Trails LGBTQ+ Running Retreat – North Cascades welcomes runners of all paces. Each day we’ll have a selection of run distances and paces. Join the group that feels good to you, or travel at your own speed.

Weekend Overview

Thursday, Day 1 Opening at the Mt. Baker Mountaineers Lodge. Runners are welcome to shuttle with Aspire from Bellingham or arrive at the time anytime after 5pm. We’ll have cold drinks and plates of fresh appetizers served alongside libations to set the tone for the weekend. Dinner will be at 6pm followed by a trip overview and stoke building for the running that lies ahead.

Friday, Day 2 Run Yellow Aster Butte/Excelsior Ridge. After a hot predawn breakfast, runners will be transported to the Yellow Aster Butte trailhead. Runners can opt for an out and back summit of Yellow Aster Butte, or continue to climb Tomyhoi and run Excelsior Ridge before descending to the valley and shuttling back to the lodge. Dinner, drinks, and celebrations are a guarantee.

Saturday, Day 3 Run the Chain Lakes Loop/Ptarmigan Ridge/Lake Ann. Runners have 3 distance options for the day, each leaving from the lodge and immediately transitioning to breathtaking trails. The 7 mile Chain Lakes Loop takes runners on a tour of alpine lakes set within a backdrop of purple heather and glacier covered peaks. Runners can add an out and back to Ptarmigan Ridge and clock a seventeen mile day. Runners opting for the 10 mile Lake Ann route will climb up the flanks of Mt. Shuksan to incredible views of Lake Ann and the surrounding North Cascades.

Sunday, Day 4 Breakfast and Goodbyes Runners will wake up for a final breakfast, weekend reflection, and say their goodbyes. All activities will wrap by 10:00am.

About Aspire Aspire organizes single and multi-day running adventures in backcountry and wilderness terrain. We pair logistical and emergency support with delicious meals for a unique and memorable running experience. More info about our project is available at: www.AspireAdventureRunning.com