Tag Three Summits in the North Cascades while someone else watches the kids
Rendezvous: 14-26 Miles, 3 Days
We’re enamored with the North Cascades. Big climbs culminating in endless views of remote glaciated peaks. Running here leaves runners feeling small, yet inspired in their power. Pair 3 big days on the trails with nights of food, drink, and music under a star studded sky by Gorge Lake and you’ve arrived at the Three Devils Rendezvous.
Friday through Monday (Labor Day)
September 2-4
Stay tuned for more information about Aspires Family Rendezvous
Family Rendezvous at a Glance
- Nature based age appropriate activities for children, youth, and teens means plenty of time on trails for adults.
- Delicious evening meals, prepped, cooked, and cleaned by Aspire, translates to less packing and headaches for parents.
- A community of active parents and a gaggle of kids equals a weekend where everyone has someone to connect with.
Course Description
The Three Devils Rendezvous offers a trio of mountain runs that begin and end along the emerald shores of Diablo Lake. Each day runners focus on a different peak towering over the Skagit River Drainage. The journey is superb and each summit Sourdough, Desolation, and Ruby offer a contrasting view of an endless and jagged North Cascades horizon. At night we share stories, delicious meals, and watch as the embers of our campfire mingle with an infinite starry expanse.
Course Overview
Friday, Day 1
Meet at Colonial Creek Campground
Runners are welcome to arrive at Colonial Creek anytime after 5pm. Aspire will host an 6pm evening meal followed by an overview of the weekends routes, logistics, and gear recommendations. We divide our group into 3 pods of 10 runners, each tackling a different route each day of the trip. When it’s over everyone has completed each of the following runs.
Runners split into groups and alternate days for the following:
Run Sourdough/Stetattle:
14-24 Miles, Elevation Gain +6,000-10,000′
Surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenes, Sourdough Mountain was one of the first lookouts established by the U.S National Forest. During the 1950’s this lookout, now restored, was home to Gary Snyder and Philip Whalen. From the summit runners can extend their time in the high country with an optional out-n-back along the Stettale Ridge, or keep the day short by immediately dropping east to Ross Lake.
Run Desolation Peak
26 Miles, Elevation Gain +7,000’
We access Desolation Peak via a boat taxi across Ross Lake to this distant trailhead. Stepping off the boat is the start of a 4,500’ climb up to an iconic lookout, once staffed by beat generation writer Jack Kerouac. Here runners are rewarded with expansive views of craggy peaks, snowy glaciers, and the fjord-like Ross Lake. From the summit, it’s all downhill and rolling lakeside trail to the highway and a shuttle back to base-camp.
Run Ruby Mountain
18 Miles, Elevation Gain +7,500’
Ruby Mountain sits at the south end of Ross Lake. We shuttle runners to the Panther Creek drainage where a well established trail brings runners to Fourth of July Pass. At the pass, a climbers trail heads north above the tree line to the summit. It’s a big day, with 7,700′ of climbing, and the views from the top are unrivaled. After summiting, the route descends back to Fourth of July pass, exits the backcountry through the Thunder Creek drainage and runs directly into camp.
A final dinner and celebration wraps this 3-day escape to the hills.
Capacity
Wilderness group sizes across Washington state are limited to 12. We bring in 30 runners for our 3-Devils basecamp and send out gr0ups of 10 on 3 different runs each day of the rendezvous.
Map
For topographical route information, elevation profiles, and a downloadable GPX file of the route see the Caltopo: 3 Devils Map
Accommodations
Our basecamp for this North Cascades Rendezvous will be staged out of the Colonial Creek campground inside the North Cascades National Park. Aspire will provide lively camp amenities for a remote but comfortable “glamp” style experience. Runners will need to provide or rent a personal tent, sleeping bag, pad, etc. Meals are fresh, seasonally inspired, and accommodate all dietary needs and preferences.
Transportation
This trip begins and ends at the Colonial Creek Campground. Runners are can provide their own transportation to and from Colonial Creek campground or they can jump in an Aspire shuttle from Belligham or Burlington WA.
Course Info Packet
We’ve compiled detailed information about the trails, itinerary, packing and gear lists, menu and dietary information, safety protocols, and our trip policies. We’re happy to pass that info along. Sign up for our monthly news letter and we’ll send you a link to the 3 Devils: North Cascades Rendezvous course packet.
Cost
Early Bird Registration: $800. Ends Jan 24th
Regular Registration: $900. Ends May 23rd
Late Registration: $1000. Closes August 29th
*Payment plans are available for every trip. Email us to set one up abram@aspireadventurerunning.com
Trip Insurance
Every year we have at least one runner who due to injury, illness, or personal/familial circumstances can not participate in their registered trip. While registrations can be transferred, Aspire does not issue refunds. See our FAQs. We strongly encourage each runner to purchase 3rd party trip insurance that will reimburse the cost of registration in the event that you are unable to participate in the event.
