Rogue Gorge

Overview

Welcome to the Rogue Gorge, offering incredibly beautiful trail runs packed with exquisite fall colors entirely alongside the iconic Upper Rogue Wild & Scenic River in the Southern Oregon Cascades! The Rogue Gorge Trail and Upper Rogue River Trail (a National Recreation Trail) provide miles of enchanting singletrack trails, hugging tightly to the old growth forested bluffs above the famous river as it churns its way through collapsed lava tube chasms, cascading waterfalls and underground tunnels. We are thrilled to host an event in historic Union Creek along the awe-inspiring Upper Rogue River!

Background

The cataclysmic volcanic eruption of 'Mt. Mazama' that formed Crater Lake 7,700 years ago forever changed the lands we now know as Oregon. The legacy of the eruption can be found throughout Southern Oregon, and nowhere outside the caldera is it more evident than on the Upper Rogue River, just 20 miles west of Crater Lake National Park. Once buried by hundreds of feet of pumice, ash and lava after the eruption, the Rogue River has freed itself over the millennia through the relentless erosive power of its waters, creating a series of fascinating features in the process. The river thunders and boils through hard basalt lava and pumice canyons at Rogue Gorge and Takelma Gorge, disappears underground through ancient lava tubes at Natural Bridge and drops off numerous waterfalls in a lush, sweet-scented old growth forest of colossal Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and sugar pine.

50 Miler

The Rogue Gorge 50 Miler is a classic down-river point-to-point race on 99% singletrack! The route travels along the rim of the Upper Rogue Wild & Scenic River for the entire route, involving 4000 ft. of ascent and 5900 ft. of descent. There are 6 aid stations along the course.

50K

The Rogue Gorge 50K is a super scenic, relatively fast course on 99% singletrack trail. NEW for 2026, it is also a mostly point-to-point course! The route travels along the rim of the Upper Rogue Wild & Scenic River for the entire route, involving 31.0 miles with 3000 ft. of ascent and 3000 ft. of descent. There are 4 aid stations along the course.

Half Marathon

The Half Marathon is a FAST, scenic course offering 98% singletrack trail! The route is mostly out and back, along the rim of the Upper Rogue Wild & Scenic River, involving 13.4 miles with 900 ft. of ascent and 900 ft. of descent. There is one aid station at mile 7 along the course.

12K

The 12K is a fast, scenic 7.5 mile long course on 98% singletrack trails! The route is mostly lollipop loop-style course, along the rim of the Upper Rogue Wild & Scenic River, involving about 330 ft. of ascent and 330 ft. of descent.

About Daybreak Racing

Daybreak Racing produces high quality trail running events including Tillamook Burn, Backcountry Rise and Gorge Waterfalls. Our goal is to share beautiful trails with as many people as possible and reward your effort with food, music and an unforgettable experience with friends old and new. Adventure begins at Daybreak.

Beneficiary

A portion of race proceeds will be donated to the non-profit Siskiyou Mountain Club, whose mission is to keep the backcountry experience alive in the corners of Northwest California and Southwest Oregon. Working with internal staff, interns and volunteers to first restore, then maintain, and finally promote the region’s great trail legacy. We are proud to support this wonderful organization!

Cancellation Policy

Please review the Cancellation Policy specific to this event on our website , which must be agreed to in order to complete registration for the race.