The Romans knew that everything that comes in threes is perfect: omne trium perfectum. Yet, if that is true, why do cars have four wheels and marriages happen between couples? Regardless, here I present you a challenge in the form of three sweet lolliloops.
Circumnavigating cascade volcanoes seems to be an obsession practiced by many runners, hikers, and even drivers. Hordes have completed the epic trails around Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and other volcanoes. Yet, how many folks do you know who have done one of these circumnavigations starting from and ending at sea level? That was supposed to be a rhetorical question.
If you don’t have any summer plans for this—and possible the following two years yet—keep reading.
The lore says that running a 100 miles isn’t all that hard. Hordes have done it and live on without major damage to body and mind. After all, it’s less than four marathons. From there, it’s only another 100 miles to get to 200 miles. That’s analogous to drinking two instead of one beer. After all, that’s only twice as much, so that makes sense, and anybody can handle that. Now that you are at 200 miles, 300 isn’t even twice as much, so why should that even be an issue?
Excellent! You are then ready to unleash your inner volcano(es). If not in one shot, then in a gradual progression. Let me introduce Tamanawas 1-2-3-Hundred!
Overview map of the Tamanawas 1-2-3-Hundred route. Click to enlarge.
“I let my tired body rest awhile.
Dante
Moving again, I tried the lonely slope-
my firm foot always was the one below.”
The Legend of Lawilayt-lá, Pátu, and Nífti Yáŋint
Yet another lore tells us that a few centuries back or so, when rocks where still more prevalent than iPhones and Christopher Columbus still shit his pants, it so happened that a shitload of those said rocks conspired to roar into the Columbia River near Cascade Locks. Very unexpectedly they ended up forming a simple yet beautiful stone bridge that spanned the river. Not three, not two, but only one bridge. The one and only bridge came to be called Tamanawas bridge, or “Bridge of the Gods.”
In the center of the bridge burnt the only fire in the world. Sadly, the lore fails to tell us how it got there initially. However, we are certain that a wrinkled old woman called Loowitlatkla, or “Lady of Fire,” protected both the fire and the bridge. The story goes on and on for quite a while. There was lots of coming and going, no doubt. One day, no one quite remembers the exact date and reason, things suddenly got heated, deteriorated rapidly, and ended up in some serious drama that involved love, jealousy, tremendous fights, flames, but also more rocks. Definitely more rocks. After little to no discussion, the ruling spirits decided that the resulting dead bodies would be buried under some mighty new mountains yet to be erected. So they did exactly that and called them lawilayt-lá, pátu, and nífti yáŋint. A few more centuries later we now call them Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood. Notice the number 3 again.
Panorama view of Portland, OR, showing Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Hood in the distance. Louis Scheiner, 1913. Source: David Rumsey Historical Map Collection. Click to enlarge.
What Goes Around Comes Around
The challenge comes in the form of three lollipop loops in Portland’s backyard. Conveniently, the lolliloops are roughly 100, 200, and 300 miles long respectively. Since most people probably won’t want to do this entire challenge in a single push, it was designed to be completed in parts. Here’s a list of possibilities:
- You complete each lolliloop individually, e.g., one per year, or one in Jul, Aug, and Sep. The order in which you complete them does not matter. For each completed lolliloop the time will be ranked separately (see records section below). Once you completed all lolliloops, the times would be added up for the TripleLolli ranking.
- You complete LolliHood individually and then combine LolliHelens and LolliAdams to a double lolliloop. That will save you the PCT leg from the Bridge of the Gods to the LolliHelens/Adams split, i.e., 2 x 76mi = 152mi. The two times would still be added up for the TripleLolli ranking. Less respect.
- You complete all 3 circumnavigations as a big TripleLolli in a single push. That would be 102mi + 196mi + 290mi – 2 x 76mi = 436mi. Respect!
- You complete all 3 circumnavigations as a big TripleLolli in a single push AND also climb all 3 peaks. More respect!
Note that the start/finish is always at the Bridge of the Gods. You can park for free on the Washington side. The Oregon side needs a valid Forest Pass.
| Volcano | Lolliloop distance [mi] | Lolliloop elevation gain [ft] | GPS files | Maps |
| Mt. Hood (nífti yáŋint) | 102 | 22,277 | kml | gpx | Gaia | Google |
| Mt. Adams (pátu) | 196 | 34,944 | kml | gpx | Gaia | Google |
| Mt. St. Helens (lawilayt-lá) | 290 | 54,888 | kml | gpx | Gaia | Google |
| Total | 588 | 112,109 |
Circumnavigating Mt. Adams requires permits from the Yakama Nation and has a significant off-trail section that requires navigation and other expert backcountry skills. Do your homework and be prepared. The provided GPS route may neither be feasible nor safe. Conditions may be very different, so do not rely on it. You have been warned. Some trip reports can be found here and here and here and elsewhere.
“See, you should have listened to me, baby.
Justin Timberlake
Because what goes around comes back around”
Can I get Extra Points?
Not usually, but this time you can. If you climb Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and Mt. St. Helens as part of your circumnavigation(s), you become an instant super Tamanawas and will be part of an exclusive ranking. Instant and permanent fame guaranteed.
The Rules
- 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.
- The challenge (all or parts of it) must start at the Bridge of the Gods (either side) and must also finish there.
- The clock starts at the Bridge of the Gods (either side) and ends when the individual or entire team reaches it again.
- You must follow the prescribed routes, at the exception of the off-trail section on on the east side of Mt. Adams. You are on your own there. Be safe.
- There are a few other alternative trails that you are welcome to use as long as they have about the same or longer mileage. E.g.:
- You can either follow the PCT or the Timberline trail on the southwest side of Mt. Hood.
- There are some alternative trails in the Indian Heaven Wilderness.
- Ditto in the Hatfield Wilderness.
- The challenge can be done individually or in teams. If completed in a team, all team members must do all parts of the route and all reps. Relays do not count.
- The clock does not stop if the individual or team sleeps, rests, etc.
- Each volcano circumnavigation, e.g., lolliloop, must be completed in a single push. Sleep, rest, etc. along the route are allowed. No leaving the route and returning unless by using human muscle power only.
- Crews and stashing of gear, food, and water are allowed. All stashes must be retrieved.
- Each and every part of the route must be covered on foot. Biking, skiing, snow-shoeing, paragliding, etc., is not allowed. The use of poles, crampons, and ice axes are allowed. No motorized form of transport is allowed on any part of the route.
- The challenge can be completed in an unsupported, self-supported, or supported way.
- Announcing your intentions is encouraged, but not mandatory.
- The challenge must be tracked and documented.
- All wilderness regulations as well as Federal, State, and Local laws must be strictly followed.
- Strict leave-no-trace backcountry ethics must be followed.
The Records
You can set records, a.k.a Fastest Known Times (FKTs), for 6 different categories, including obviously the TripleLolli and the TripleLolli + TriplePeaks.
LolliHood – nífti yáŋint (100mi)
| Name(s) | Date | Time | Style | Report |
| Megan Lacey & Christof Teuscher | 07/17/2020 | 39h30min | Unsupported | Report |
LolliAdams – pátu (200mi)
| Name(s) | Date | Time | Style | Report |
| Your name could be here! |
LolliHelens – lawilayt-lá (300mi)
| Name(s) | Date | Time | Style | Report |
| Your name could be here! |
DoubleLolliAdamsHelens (334mi): pátu + lawilayt-lá
| Name(s) | Date | Time | Style | Report |
| Your name could be here! |
TripleLolli (588mi): nífti yáŋint + pátu + lawilayt-lá
This will simply be the sum of all your separate lolliloop times.
| Name(s) | Date | Time | Style | Report |
| Your name could be here! |
TripleLolli + TriplePeaks = super Tamanawas
| Name(s) | Date | Time | Style | Report |
| Your name could be here! |
FAQ
- How can I announce an FKT attempt? Contact me and I’ll post here or use your personal Facebook, on Twitter, or in some running-related group/forum/page.
- How can I submit a record? Use the form at the end of this page.
Stay Informed and Connected
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.proboards.com/thread/19/read-first 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.
- By visiting and reading this page, you agree to assume all known and unknown risks associated with spending your day(s) in the outdoors. You agree to not sue me if your day(s) go(es) sideways.