{"id":4280,"date":"2018-06-26T17:58:05","date_gmt":"2018-06-27T00:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/?page_id=4280"},"modified":"2025-09-16T09:08:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T16:08:15","slug":"wycool-challenge-series","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/christofteuscher.com\/aagaa\/wycool-challenge-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Wy’cool Challenge Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you want to be cool? Like Wy’cool? Here you go. Check out the Wy’cool Challenge Series<\/em> (WCCS)!<\/p>\n

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 \u2014 a.k.a. Mt. Hood \u2014 will let you howl and wonder.<\/p>\n

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\r\n TRAIL UPDATE <\/span>– 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.\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\n
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\r\n All distances are also listed on the FKT website at https:\/\/fastestknowntime.com\/route\/wy-cool-50km50mi100km100m-or<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\n
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And around it goes…<\/p><\/div>\n

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Overview of the four Wy’cool Challenge Series routes. Click to make it bigger. Or use the interactive Google map<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Start\/Finish<\/h3>\n

All routes start at the Lower Hunchback Mtn. Trailhead\/Zigzag Ranger Station<\/a>.\u00a0You will need a\u00a0Northwest Forest Pass<\/a> to park there. Note that you can only park overnight with a permit from the Ranger station.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you could park and start at the Zigzag Mtn. Trailhead<\/a>. 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…<\/p>\n

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

Routes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Distance<\/strong><\/td>\nActual distance<\/strong><\/td>\nElevation gain<\/strong><\/td>\nGPS track<\/strong><\/td>\nMaps<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50km<\/td>\n30mi<\/td>\n10,351ft<\/td>\ngpx<\/a> | kml<\/a><\/td>\nGaia<\/a>\u00a0| Google<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50mi<\/td>\n50mi<\/td>\n11,362ft<\/td>\ngpx<\/a> | kml<\/a><\/td>\nGaia<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Google<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
100km<\/td>\n60mi<\/td>\n13,743ft<\/td>\ngpx<\/a> | kml<\/a><\/td>\nGaia<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Google<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
100mi<\/td>\n99mi<\/td>\n24,383ft<\/td>\ngpx<\/a> | kml<\/a><\/td>\nGaia<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Google<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note <\/strong>(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.<\/em><\/p>\n

There isn’t as much elevation gain as on the Hatfield routes<\/a>, but it it should be enough for most.<\/p>\n