Independence Day Weekend in Jackson Hole No I did not run 26 miles in one shot; rather, I had three separate outings over the Independence Day weekend. Friday, 10 Miles: We drove up to Wyoming to meet my parents at the Gros Ventre campground just outside Teton N.P. We arrived late in the evening and I lost count of time setting up the tent and settling down, but it was probably past midnight when I finally got into bed. It was a cold night and I had shivers due to insufficient cover. Saturday: In the morning I should have been a dull wreck for lack of sleep; instead I felt the desire to get up, get the running shoes on and claim a small victory. Being unfamiliar with the area, I decided to run the 5 miles to the Teton park highway and then run back for 10 flat, solid miles of all running. Mission accomplished, no big woop. I was pleased to have the magnificent Teton range as my backdrop that morning. Sunday: Rest day, no running. Just eating and relaxing. Monday, 5.5 Miles: The Fourth of July in Jackson Hole. I wasn't sure how I would get a run or hike in on the Fourth. There was a parade in Jackson in the morning that was mandatory attendance. My plan had been to drive to the park entrance and park at the visitor's center, then run in to the park about six miles, then turn around. Didn't happen. I slept too late and once we drove the 12 miles into Jackson we spent the entire day there. I did bring my running gear and after the parade we went to a terrific park at the base of Snow King ski run. The park is one of the best I have ever seen. There is a bouldering area right next to the children's playground. Yes, a bouldering park with two features: One is a small, man-made boulder about 15 feet at its height, with several holds all around. The other is a much larger boulder about 20 feet high with a flat deck at the top. There are hundreds of holds all around with "problems" of varying degrees of difficulty. Overhangs, ledges, cracks, horns. My boys loved this place and became amateur little rock climbers. This park also happened to be where the fireworks show would be later that evening. Looking up the steep hill to the top of the ski run, I made up my mind that it would be my run for the day. The elevation at the base of the chair lift was 6200. I ran up the steep switchbacks to the top of the mountain, which had an elevation of about 8,100. I was pleased that I really did run 95% of the route, which is at least 2.5 miles to the top. From the peak I found a single track trail running down the back side. All this was unfamiliar territory, but I guessed correctly that the trail would take me back down to where I need to go. I got started on the trail and passed a handful of mountain bikers. As the trail descended it led into trees typical of those that cover the mountainside at the resort. I was loving it. I ran hard and fast, in the zone and having the feeling of my feet scarcely touching the earth. I found my way back to my fambly at the park and we played all day there and enjoyed the fireworks show in the evening. Tuesday, 10.5 Miles: Awakened in our tent at 5:30AM by a large moose snuffling and butting its head on the tent wall, not more than 2 feet from where I was sleeping. Scared the hell out of me, my wife and my boys. Thought that huge animal was going to trample up in our tent and get away with murder. Although the moose "attack" had shaken me, I went back to sleep a few more hours but slept too long, I thought, to drive into the park and run beneath the Tetons. (My wife had had it; she took the boys and got in my parents' motorhome.) I hadn't given up my dream of running through Teton park at the base of some of the world's most picturesque peaks, but we had to pack up and be out of the campsite by 11 AM. My parents have a Golden Pass so we drove with them into the park and took the boys to String Lake, which is a small body of waters just North of Jenny Lake. I then formulated my plan and confirmed in my mind that what I would do is run from String Lake to the park entrance, a total distance of 10.5 miles. I told my wife and parents I would meet them at the visitor's center, then I took off running through the woods. Keep in mind that the Grand Teton towers over the observer at virtually every point along the park road. My dream of running beneath the Tetons became reality. The first three miles was trail running through the woods at the Eastern edge of Jenny Lake. I was seeing the lake for the first time and it was fantastic. It was easy to fantasize I was was in Switzerland or Austria, running through the woods under the Alps. The three miles of trail running ended too soon as I came upon dozens of sweaty tourists (of which I was the sweatiest) at the Jenny Lake ranger station. I felt like an alien, living life at a different pace than everyone else around me. I refilled my handheld and then continued the route, now entirely on an asphalt bike path that parallels the park road. I was the only runner out there. Everyone else was on bikes. Shortly after I left the ranger station my parents, on the way back to the visitor's center and park entrance, stopped on the side of the road, my wife in her vehicle behind them. I told them I would meet them at the park entrance in 40 or so minutes. It was about six miles back from there and as I thought it over it would be more than forty minutes before I would meet up with them. Out of the trees now and in the open valley I had the Teton range to my immediate right. I constantly turned my head to savor the view. My view seemed to pivot around the Grand Teton, and as I progressed North the climber's route on the Grand came into view. I stopped for a few minutes and studied the route. There was a lot of snow remaining on the mountain. I imagined hiking up from the base, through the meadows, then climbing higher into Alpine terrain. I imagined hiking over the glacier, zig-zaggin up to the saddle, then up to where the technical pitches await the climber. One day soon I will climb the Grand Teton in one day. I finished the run at the park entrance, and there I met my wife. By this time I was starving and we drove straight to Jackson Hole and had lunch. My legs and feet feel good. No aches or pains. Ready to do more. So instead of sitting around and gaining weight on vacation I ran 26 miles and had some pretty good views.
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