Driven

Run/Hike Lake Mountain with Brother Wasserman I did not get much sleep last night because Ishared a bed with my 4 year-old boy. I awoke to the alarm sounding at 4:45AM and still I ws late meeting Scott in Lehi nearly an hour later. We again chose to go up the 4WD road toward Lake Mountain above Saratoga Springs in Utah county. There is a lot more snow on the ground and we ran the first mile, then hiked briskly in the 4 wheeler tracks. Deeper in the canyon (Israel Canyon) the 4WD tracks ended and all we had to follow was a snowmobile track. The result of following the snowmobiles was a lot of post-hole steps and extra work. We were not going to reach the summit on this day because of time constraints. We hiked to the point at which the road begins to climb steeply, then a check at the time convinced us to turn around. We ran back to the car in moderately deep snow and in narrow vehicle tracks. Although we didn't reach the summit--that's twice in a week I have attempted this easy mountain without attaining the summit--it was a good outing and workout. Plus the comedy routines from Scott keep me entertained.

Morning run

So to make good on my intent to get out and run in the morning, I got out and ran this morning. I am fortunate to live where there is a lot of undeveloped space and where traffic is very light, so I ran down the road from my home then turned onto a horse trail. I jogged down to Buffalo Ranch in Farmington, then turned around and ran home by another way past the Davis birnesting sanctuary.

I don;t know the exact mileage but I am estimating 3.5 miles.

Millcreek Ridge Traverse

It is becoming an annual tradition for me and friend Joe to traverse the Millcreek ridge from Mt. Grandeur to Mt Air. This past Saturday was my third year for this snowshoe hike from the base of the West side of Mt Grandeur to Mt. Aire summit. I met Joe at his home in Millcreek at 5AM. We drove in seperate vehicles up to the winter gate in Millcreek Canyon where I left my car. We drove back down canyon and then around the corner to the trailhead car park. We Began hiking at 5:50AM in darkness and fog. We set in a quick pace up the mountainside trail and I was strong enough to keep up with Joe. We arrived at the summit of Grandeur in 1:45, snapped a few photos of the pretty sunrise, then quickly hiked down the other side toward our next leg of the route.

The trail down the East side of Grandeur was packed so snowshoes were not necessary. A short time later we donned our snowshoes when we left the main trail to follow the top of the ridgeline connecting Grandeur to Churchfork Peak. Last year we made a wrong turn in this area and began following a spur ridge North instead of East. I realized we had gone the worng way when I could see we were moving toward I-80 in Parley's canyon. We had to backtrack up through deep snow and right our course. This year, Joe made sure we stayed on the correct route, and because of this, combinded with the good snow conditions, we made excellent time.

The distance from Grandeur to Church Fork peak looks deceptively close, and as the crow flies, it probably is. But it took us 2 hours to reach our second peak. I arrived at the summit rock pile about 30 seconds after Joe and simply said "Let's keep going." From Church Fork Peak to Mt Aire is another long section of ridge characterized by deep snow and a winding route. It took another 2 hours to summit Mt Aire. The hike up Mt. Aire was the most difficult snowshoeing of the say. We had to break trail, and the snow was heavy and crusty. At the summit we met two skiers and chatted for 15 minutes. Our plan for the day had been to continure to Millvu Peak about a mile further, but Joe's feet were getting cold and he was set on finishing the day where we were.

We hiked down the trail and connected with the Elbow Fork trail, then we emerged onto the canyon road and removed our snowshoes. Every year at this point the scene is the same. There were several dogs and their masters hiking up and down the road, skiers sliding past, young couples, cute young women, moms and dads with bored-looking children. Every year we see snowshoers coming UP the packed Millcreek Canyon road. And every year I wonder why they wear the snowshoes on hard packed snow. Don't they see us, walking perfectly easily over the road?

Our total time from car to car was 7:38. This was a much improved time over last years 10+ hours, and last year we never made it to Mt. Aire summit.

Millcreek Ridge will be on my mind next year.

Mt Wire/The Big Bacon I met Jun and Scott W at about 6AM and we hiked up Mt Wire. It was very cold this morning but I managed to stay warm as I first ran and then hiked up the ridge to the summit. I was about 10 minutes behind the others but they waited for me at the summit.

I hope to get my trekking poles back soon; they would have been useful this morning.

Grandeur Peak via West Ridge

 My 14th climb of Grandeur. This morning I went with Scott Wesemann. We had a fun time going up the West ridge. About 1:55 to the summit. 

Mt. Olympus

 I have been feeling good lately, so I dod not want to pass up a day to climb Mt Olympus for 4200 feet of vert. This was my 29th time at the summit. I went With Jacob Moon, one of the Gannett Peak day hike team members.

Mt Wire The Big Bacon

Another lap on Wire with Scott. I wore my new black cowboy hat with flashing star. We were on the summit before the sun was up, and the nearly full moon hovered over a bed of clouds.

Farmington to Centerville

 Today is Saturday. I rolled out of bed at quarter to ten, then proceeded to do absolutely nothing  all morning. My inactivity continued into the afternoon while my wife cleaned the house, painted touch-ups on the walls, and hung pictures. Sometime around 1:30PM I formulated a simple plan that would jump-start my day (better late than never) and get me to shake off the apathy, clear away the mental fog, and awaken my body. I would run from home in Farmington to the next town South, Centerville. I estimated that the distance there and back is 12 miles, so I set out at 2PM wearing two shirts, sweats, a knit cap, and earphones playing some of my favorite music.

Weather was wishy-washy. Sun was out, but was competing for real estate with high, fluffy clouds.  A half mile from home I ran past the Davis County Legacy equestrian center, and continued down a country road past nice, cozy homes and horse properties. At Shepherd Lane I turned East, and continued past a lot occupied with dozens of sitting school busses that immediately reminded me of New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin. I'll call the practice field near the busses Nagin's "chocolate field". (Look up Ray Nagin, School busses, and his "chocolate city" if you don't immediately get the referrence.)

 At Nagin 's field I accessed the Legacy Highway North-South bike/running path and turned South for a long, straight run to Centerville. To my left is the Legacy Highway running parallel to the path, and to my right are fields, half-frozen puddles, and pastures dotted with lazy cattle. Once I reached the Parrish Lane overpass (spanning Legacy), I crossed over and ran another mile to Parrish Lane, then turned East to reconnect with the Legacy footpath. This was my turn-around point and I stopped for a brief break to remove my long sleeve shirt. Also, I was pleased to have packed my poo kit because it was very handy. 

 I quickly sucked down a Hammer Gel and began the run back toward home. Since I had crossed the overpass on my way out and reached Parrish Lane via a surface street, I missed this section of the Legacy trail. Tall marsh reeds grow on either side of the asphalt trail and for a few minutes I was hidden from the world of freeway traffic. This is when I reached my high. The sun was bright, but a few menacing clouds drifting above made for brilliant lighting and shadows, which made every detail of my surroundings buzz with visual delight. The trail turns East for a short run, and I could see in one vista the sky, mountains, homes on the foothill, and the freeway. Just then I observed a hawk drifting in a breeze above the freeway. Yes, this was my high. I felt terrific. 

Heading back on the Legacy trail, I had a harmless battle with a wind coming out of the North. Ahead I could see a dark, blank wall of cloud. A mild snow fell, then further the wind became a little more menacing, then snow fell faster. I was running through the thin arm of a small storm, with flakes of snow sticking to my clothing, and my bare arms turning red with cold. Still, I felt great, and was plenty warm.  I came out the other side and the sun was shining again. I ran past Nagin Field, going West on Shepherd Lane, a 2 mile stretch of country road that leads home past more horse properties and cozy homes.

At home I checked my time and I was out 2:08. My simple plan worked. My legs feel good, I am awake and already planning my next run.  

Grandeur via West Ridge, to Church Fork to Pipeline loop to car. 11.2 miles (according to Scott)

 I have hiked Mt. Grandeur 15 times, most of those by the West Ridge which offers 3,000 feet of vert on a steep, straight forward, no-nonsense trail. This morning I met Scott, Bill, and Seth for a hike up to the peak, then a run down the other side on the Church Fork trail to make a loop back to our vehicles.

I started hiking a few minutes before the others to allow myself time to have my mile one "break" without obligating the others to wait for me. The plan worked. I met up with the others and in the pre-dawn darkness the four of us hiked at a quick pace higher up the mountain.  When we emerged above the inversion and saw the valley in a total blackout. Not a single light penetrated the thick blanket of fog. Above the inversion the temperature was noticeably warmer.

Bill had the fastest pace and quickly pulled ahead, while Scott quickened his pace when he saw the light of three headlamps below us, closing quickly. Seth stayed with me, although he could have sprinted up the mountain like a cheetah. He gave me some good tips on nutrition, running technique and running clothing.

The three hikers below reached us quickly, and we could see they were ultra-runners out for an easy workout. I reached the top with Seth for a time of about 1:20; not bad but with much room for improvement. After a few minutes of admiring the view, we began our descent which would be all downhill and running back to our vehicles.

The trail down the back side of Grandeur is nicely packed snow. Lower down, the trail was icy and treacherous, but we managed to keep a quick pace with Bill out in the lead, then Scott, then myself and Seth. I slipped once, but it was a mild landing. We regrouped again at the Pipeline/Church junction and turned West for a jog of maybe 2 miles to Rattlesnake Gulch. The descent down the gulch was very icy, and I took care not to get out of control. A fall on the hard ice there would have been painful to say the least. 

We arrived at the Millcreek Canyon road then made the runWest back to Wasatch Blvd where we turned North for our final leg. At that point  I was fatigued and sore, but determined to finish without stopping. From start to finish the RT time was about 3 hours. I had a great time, and the best part for me was running off the backside of Grandeur in the morning sun, through the trees and gulches. I have a long way to go before I can really show up for serious endurance runs, but this is how I get there. 

Around the Neighborhood

 Tonight I desired to get out and run, but not wanting to run in the dark country roads outside the neighborhood, I measured and jogged 3.3 miles on well-lighted streets close to home. I struggled to get into a comfortable breathing pattern, and now I am inside--still struggling to get full breaths. I'm not panting or gasping for air, but my airway is constricted more than usual and I am weezing. It is annoying and has me a little worried. Asthma? Could it really be bad air outdoors? Because I am frequently getting my exercise in higher elevations, perhaps I am used to the fresh air and haven't experience bad city air. I hope this doesn't become a problem. At least my legs feel good.