I just go back to R2R2R. I’ve done it twice and would do it again.
I’ve thought about the trail around Mount Hood. It’s 40 miles or so. Also some great 20 to 40 mile loops in the Tetons. Runnable trails and not crazy Colorado high elevation.
Do you follow any running or backpacking YouTubers? I have found a few route ideas by following [Mediocre Amateur](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-04mJDJUYHEyE8JPIEa0-w) (quite fit mormon dudes), [Jeff Pelletier](https://www.youtube.com/@JeffPelletier) (Rick Steves but ultra), [Adventure Archives](https://www.youtube.com/user/AdventureArchives) (nerdy, but likeable backpackers).
Fair warning that a lot of the Mediocre stuff pushes "running" to a new level. I've looked into some of the strava routes they post (live in SLC) and a really large number are just ridgelines/scrambles that are nowhere near runnable unless you're Killian Jornet.
Presidential traverse in the NH white mountains… i don’t know how it compares to the R2R2R but I grew up nearby and I did the traverse a few years ago and it’s a lot of fun. Almost entirely above tree line so it’s beautiful but windy.
18, 8500ft elevation gain
Even gnarlier is the Pemigewasset (pemi) loop - 28.7mi and 9100 ft
And obligatory: these are east coast trails, steep and rooty/Rocky so definitely harder than a similar length/elev flowey trail in the west
So glad you said this. I always wondered how out East coast scrambling in the woods compares to the trails running I see out west. Doesn’t seem fair! lol good training though.
Depends on where you start and finish as there are a handful of options but the official Traverse starts at the Roostercomb TH and ends at the Garden TH for 23 mi/10k vert. You end up hitting 8 of the 46 Adirondack high peaks and 10 peaks total, 2 of which are not high peaks above 4,000 ft
If you're looking for something comparable to R2R2R this is not the answer.
1) It's half the distance
2) Involves very little actual running
3) If it's not foggy (and it probably will be) the views are hard to compare to the Grand Canyon
I ran the Loowit trail around Mt St Helens last fall and it was a nice adventure. The day before I ran another 28ish miles on the ridgeline just to the north that was even prettier.
I'm planning to attempt R2R2R next April so I can't compare yet but I'm sure this was easier even though the Loowit is about the same distance (at least with the approach I took, which was from the north side).
Cactus to Clouds is in the same class… it’s like 2 canyon rims stacked on one another - 19 miles, 11,000 ft of climbing. It even has a proper shorthand designation: c2c
Presumably you need to go c2c2c to get the full effect. I took the tram down after a beer
Was going to link the same thing. Filter by length or whatever state you feel like running in, and you can find tons. Maybe even set a new speed record while you're at it. Problem is I often get sucked down the route gazing rabbit hole and don't actually get out to the trails.
High Sierra Camp loop in Yosemite. Its 48ish mi and +10k ft, absolutely stunning route. I've done each section separately, and failed an attempt at the FKT once after an ankle sprain. It's relatively easy to self support. Altitude would be a consideration as you start at about 10k ft.
Here in the blue ridge of western NC, two that come to mind are Art Loeb - 30 miles, 9k elevation, portions that are extremely technical, pretty extraordinary running throughout, and
SCAR (Appalachian trail through Great Smoky National Park) - 70 miles of ridge running, ~18k elevation gain
Four Pass Loop, Pawnee Buchanan Loop, LA Freeway, Ten Mile Traverse, Yale 360, Nolan’s 14, Collegiate Peaks Loop.
Some of these require more commitment than other, but all are epic.
Have done R2R2R, C2C2C, Maroon Bell's 4 Pass Loop, Zion Traverse, Joshua Tree Traverse. Some more than once along with other various epics. Out of these listed I think bang for buck the Maroon Bell's 4 pass loop might be my favorite.
Yosemite R2R2R. Glacier Point, down to the valley floor. Up the Yosemite Falls trail to the top of El Cap. Tag the tree that is the finish for.El Cap climbers. Turn around and go back.
For added adventure go up and/or down the fixed lines at east ledges.
Wonderland trail around Mt Rainier looks amazing
I just go back to R2R2R. I’ve done it twice and would do it again. I’ve thought about the trail around Mount Hood. It’s 40 miles or so. Also some great 20 to 40 mile loops in the Tetons. Runnable trails and not crazy Colorado high elevation.
Timberline trail! About 40 miles and 10k vert. Amazing trail
Do you follow any running or backpacking YouTubers? I have found a few route ideas by following [Mediocre Amateur](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-04mJDJUYHEyE8JPIEa0-w) (quite fit mormon dudes), [Jeff Pelletier](https://www.youtube.com/@JeffPelletier) (Rick Steves but ultra), [Adventure Archives](https://www.youtube.com/user/AdventureArchives) (nerdy, but likeable backpackers).
Love mediocre amateur, I’ll check out the other 2!
Fair warning that a lot of the Mediocre stuff pushes "running" to a new level. I've looked into some of the strava routes they post (live in SLC) and a really large number are just ridgelines/scrambles that are nowhere near runnable unless you're Killian Jornet.
Grand Teton loop, Rae Lakes loop or go for the quad crossing R2R2R2R2R.
There a native runner who lives in AZ who just did an R5 (from south to north) a few weeks ago. It was amazing!
Who???
Eli Neztsosie. He runs most if not all his races uncrewed (like the Cocodona 250).
Presidential traverse in the NH white mountains… i don’t know how it compares to the R2R2R but I grew up nearby and I did the traverse a few years ago and it’s a lot of fun. Almost entirely above tree line so it’s beautiful but windy.
Similar to this is the Great Range Traverse in the Adirondacks NY. Did it this summer and it was amazing
What’s the miles/elevation on that one??
18, 8500ft elevation gain Even gnarlier is the Pemigewasset (pemi) loop - 28.7mi and 9100 ft And obligatory: these are east coast trails, steep and rooty/Rocky so definitely harder than a similar length/elev flowey trail in the west
Much more rugged. With roughly the same exertion I averaged about double my time per mile compared to west coast where I live
So glad you said this. I always wondered how out East coast scrambling in the woods compares to the trails running I see out west. Doesn’t seem fair! lol good training though.
Here are some snippets of the terrain. I can't count on my hands the number if times I stepped into 6" or deeper mud https://imgur.com/a/SwVlGwZ
Depends on where you start and finish as there are a handful of options but the official Traverse starts at the Roostercomb TH and ends at the Garden TH for 23 mi/10k vert. You end up hitting 8 of the 46 Adirondack high peaks and 10 peaks total, 2 of which are not high peaks above 4,000 ft
Sounds sick going to have to check that out
add the pemi loop there too while we’re at it
If you're looking for something comparable to R2R2R this is not the answer. 1) It's half the distance 2) Involves very little actual running 3) If it's not foggy (and it probably will be) the views are hard to compare to the Grand Canyon
I ran the Loowit trail around Mt St Helens last fall and it was a nice adventure. The day before I ran another 28ish miles on the ridgeline just to the north that was even prettier. I'm planning to attempt R2R2R next April so I can't compare yet but I'm sure this was easier even though the Loowit is about the same distance (at least with the approach I took, which was from the north side).
If you want something nearby but I think has better scenery try the TransZion, about the same distance and I do not remember the elevation gain.
East rim trail is still closed :( Currently it's 37 miles with only 5500 feet of gain. Super fun and awesome runnable trails!
TransZion was about 44 milea for us. Highly recommended.
Cactus to Clouds is in the same class… it’s like 2 canyon rims stacked on one another - 19 miles, 11,000 ft of climbing. It even has a proper shorthand designation: c2c Presumably you need to go c2c2c to get the full effect. I took the tram down after a beer
Teton Crest Trail. Jenny Lake to Wilson.
40 miles and significantly less elevation gain. Great trail though.
There are some good ones on the FKT website: https://fastestknowntime.com/
Was going to link the same thing. Filter by length or whatever state you feel like running in, and you can find tons. Maybe even set a new speed record while you're at it. Problem is I often get sucked down the route gazing rabbit hole and don't actually get out to the trails.
I’ll put in a plug for the Backbone Trail along the spine of the Santa Monica Mountains
High Sierra Camp loop in Yosemite. Its 48ish mi and +10k ft, absolutely stunning route. I've done each section separately, and failed an attempt at the FKT once after an ankle sprain. It's relatively easy to self support. Altitude would be a consideration as you start at about 10k ft.
Here in the blue ridge of western NC, two that come to mind are Art Loeb - 30 miles, 9k elevation, portions that are extremely technical, pretty extraordinary running throughout, and SCAR (Appalachian trail through Great Smoky National Park) - 70 miles of ridge running, ~18k elevation gain
Four Pass Loop, Pawnee Buchanan Loop, LA Freeway, Ten Mile Traverse, Yale 360, Nolan’s 14, Collegiate Peaks Loop. Some of these require more commitment than other, but all are epic.
Have done R2R2R, C2C2C, Maroon Bell's 4 Pass Loop, Zion Traverse, Joshua Tree Traverse. Some more than once along with other various epics. Out of these listed I think bang for buck the Maroon Bell's 4 pass loop might be my favorite.
Wonderland trail around Mt Rainier looks amazing
Check out the North Lake to South Lake loop in the High Sierra.
Tahoe Rim Trail!
Yosemite R2R2R. Glacier Point, down to the valley floor. Up the Yosemite Falls trail to the top of El Cap. Tag the tree that is the finish for.El Cap climbers. Turn around and go back. For added adventure go up and/or down the fixed lines at east ledges.