Wy’cool Challenge Series

So you want to be cool? Like Wy’cool? Here you go. Check out the Wy’cool Challenge Series (WCCS)!

The series offers a total of four trail distances in the often-ignored Zigzag/Hunchback/Mt. Hood backcountry: 50km, 50mi, 100km, and 100mi. Spectacular views of Wy’east — a.k.a. Mt. Hood — will let you howl and wonder.

TRAIL UPDATE – Jun, 2023: Some of the major Hunchback tree nests were partially cleared (the smaller trees), improved, and flagged. The route should now be a lot easier to follow and complete on that section. It still won’t be smooth sailing, but the situation has much improved.
TRAIL UPDATE – As of Oct 1, 2022, the Salmon River trail has been completely logged out. The top of of the Hunchback has some terrible downfall. Navigation in the dark can be difficult. There is some flagging, but it does not always help. Some of it is rather misleading. You will easily lose 30min there, probably more.
All distances are also listed on the FKT website at https://fastestknowntime.com/route/wy-cool-50km50mi100km100m-or

And around it goes…

Overview of the four Wy’cool Challenge Series routes. Click to make it bigger. Or use the interactive Google map.

Start/Finish

All routes start at the Lower Hunchback Mtn. Trailhead/Zigzag Ranger Station. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass to park there. Note that you can only park overnight with a permit from the Ranger station.

Alternatively, you could park and start at the Zigzag Mtn. Trailhead. There’s little room for parking, but it’s not a busy trailhead, you won’t need a Northwest Forest Pass, and you can park over night. If you plan to do the route 100mi or 100k routes counterclockwise, I’d recommend you park there anyway and get the short road section done at the beginning. I’m pretty sure you will not feel like road walking after coming down from Zigzag…

Note: although the suggested start/finish is a the Lower Hunchback Mtn. Trailhead/Zigzag Ranger Station, you are welcome start/finish at any other trailhead on any on these routes.

Routes

Distance Actual distance Elevation gain GPS track Maps
50km 30mi 10,351ft gpx | kml Gaia | Google
50mi 50mi 11,362ft gpx | kml Gaia | Google
100km 60mi 13,743ft gpx | kml Gaia | Google
100mi 99mi 24,383ft gpx | kml Gaia | Google

Note (May 12, 2022): The 50km track seems to have a small error. You don’t have to do an out-and-back on the route. I’ll fix this when I get a chance.

There isn’t as much elevation gain as on the Hatfield routes, but it it should be enough for most.

Guidelines

  1. This is not a race. You do not need to register or qualify or anything. There are no fees. Anyone can do it anytime of the year.
  2. The clock starts when you leave the Lower Hunchback Mtn. Trailhead/Zigzag Ranger Station (or alternatively any other trailhead that is on the route) and stops when you are back at the trailhead again.
  3. You must follow one of the routes.
  4. You pick your direction for the loops, although the suggestion is to the routes counterclockwise. That will also allow you to “downgrade” to a shorter route if you realize you cannot complete the longer one.
  5. A challenge can be done individually or in teams. If completed in a team, all team members must do all parts of the route. Relays do not count.
  6. The clock does not stop if the individual or team sleeps, rests, etc.
  7. A challenge must be completed in a single push. Sleep, rest, etc. along the route are allowed. No leaving the route and returning.
  8. Crews and stashing of gear, food, and water are allowed. All stashes must be retrieved.
  9. The challenge can be completed in an unsupported, self-supported, or supported way.
  10. Announcing your intentions is encouraged, but not mandatory.
  11. The challenge must be tracked and documented.
  12. All wilderness regulations as well as Federal, State, and Local laws must be strictly followed.
  13. Strict leave-no-trace backcountry ethics must be followed.

Results

All reported and documented attempts, completions, Only Known Times (OKT), and Fastest Known Times (FKT) that followed the above guidelines shall be listed in the following Google spreadsheet:

https://bit.ly/WyCoolResults

NEW: All distances are also listed on the FKT website at https://fastestknowntime.com/route/wy-cool-50km50mi100km100m-or

FAQs

  • How can I announce an attempt? Use your personal Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or contact me and I’ll post your announcement, time, and report here.
  • How can I submit my data? Use the form at the end of this page to submit your attempts and completions. And as said above, you are of course encouraged to submit your time(s) to the FKT site as well.
  • Should I carry a map? Definitely!
  • Can I do a shorter route even though I initially announced a longer one? Sure, what matters is what you complete.
  • Do I need to write up a trip report? No, it’s not mandatory. Yet, reports allow to share knowledge and to inspire others, so they are encouraged.
  • Do I need to carry a satellite tracker? No, but you need to submit solid evidence that you completed the challenge. A GPS track (e.g., recorded with GaiaGPS) provides reasonable evidence. So do links to Strava or other activity websites. And of course photos and movies will provide additional evidence.
  • How close do I have to follow a route? Think of it as a race. While the course is not marked, you still have to complete every part of if to qualify for a finish. If you take a wrong turn or get lost, you must go back to where you got off course and continue from there.
  • What’s in for me if I complete any of these routes? Fame. Pure fame.
  • Can I park over night at the Zigzag ranger station? No, only with a permit from the ranger station.

Disclaimers

  • Records are not verified. The burden of proof is solely on the individual or team. Thus, the more documentation you can provide, the better. See http://fastestknowntime.com/verification for more info.
  • The information provided on this website does not identify possible dangers. When you are attempting one of these challenges, you assume responsibility for your own actions and safety.

Submit your Attempts and Completions

Click here to get to the form.