05/29/2011: Fivefingers run into the Fish Hatchery up the Rock Creek Trail to the Wilderness boundary. 0:35, 2.5 miles, 400' vert.
05/30/2011: A Memorial Day run around the South Mesa Trail Loop as highlighted in Trail Runner's Guide to Colorado by Mislinski, Cole, and Boubol: Towhee, Shadow Canyon, Mesa and Big Bluestem Trails. Very fun in this longer version of the loop I ran several weeks ago. Almost stepped on a snake. I need to identify it. I conjecture it was either dead or fake after throwing rocks near it to see if it would react. 0:52, 4.8 miles, 1,000' vert.
The beloved Flatirons on the flanks of Green Mountain (8,144').
Switchbacks on the E.M. Greenman Trail
06/01/2011: I've been waiting a long time to start really exploring around Boulder. Now here it is! Ran Green Mountain by a big loop. I deviated heavily from the loop laid out in Trail Runner's Guide to Colorado. Followed Baseline Trail, Gregory Canyon, Ranger, and EM Greenman to the summit of Green then down by way of the Green-Bear, Bear Canyon and Mesa Trails. Some uphill on the Mesa Trail was nice added kick in the bum.
After running these trails it will be easy to figure out some more loops using partial sections of this run. It would appear that other classics in the area include Mt. Flagstaff, Mt. Sanitas, and Bear Mountain/South Boulder Peak. My next step is to figure out good loop or out and back runs that include these. It would seem that the sky is the limit here with length and vertical! 2:16, 9.6 miles, 2,600' vert.
Indian Peaks to the west from the summit of Green (8,144').
Saddle Rock.
06/03/2011: A nice short run to the top of Green. This time I took the loop highlighted in TRG to CO. Gregory Canyon, Ranger, EM Greenman, Saddle Rock, Amphitheater (by accident), Bluebell Baird, Chautauqua Trails. Saddlehorn Trail was rocky and steep. Perfect for descending. It would be a tough ascent (though I did see several runners climbing it). Ranger Trail was relentless and well graded. Overall I was happy with an ascent time of 0:59 by way of the Baseline, Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trails from Chautauqua. Nice views of the Indian Peaks from the summit (missed those he other day looking to the East). 1:48, 6.7 miles, 2,600' vert.
Green Mountain on the right and Bear Canyon below.
In the distance Rocky Mountain National Park, I suspect.
Brenden approaches the summit of Bear Peak (8,461').
Me posing near the summit of Bear Peak (8,461').
Brenden on the "Homestead" stretch to the South Mesa Trailhead.
06/04/2011: It is such a treat sometimes to run with folks. Today's run was Bear Peak up Fern Canyon and down Shadow with Brenden. I felt good despite a later start and therefore temps in the 70s I would guess. Fern Canyon is pretty steep for running. A good test of fitness. I was only able to run the first several minutes up the canyon before I was redlining for periods that were too long without recovery "flats." I powerwalked most of the trail to the summit making it in 1:15 from the South Mesa Teailhead. Brenden was only five or so minutes behind and we hung out near the summit (the peak was a madhouse) for fifteen or so minutes snapping pics and talking before bombing the descent down Shadow Canyon. I felt like a Ferrari weaving in and out of traffic going down the seriously technical trail. The run out the Mesa Trail and Homestead was fun. Homestead had a lot of up that I hadn't anticipated. Good for training. Lessons learned:
1.) parking is unpleasant in Boulder. Get your stuff and dress/prepare elsewhere or risk being barraged with "are you leaving soon?" every two or three minutes from folks who want your spot.
2.) running on the weekend in Boulder is not so solitary an experience. It might be nice to find more obscure places to run on the weekend.
That's all I can think of right now! 2:19, 8.0 miles, 3,000' vert.
Weekly Summary: 31.6 miles, 9,600' vert.
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