Farmington Canyon I should have been running this canyon at least once a week throughout this past summer. Sleep, however, was more of a priority. I can see this canyon from my home. From Lagoon in Farmington, Skyline Drive takes a bold path up the canyon on a well-graded road cut into the steep canyon walls. A rollover accident anywhere along the road would be 100% fatal because the vehicle wouldn't stop crashing down into the canyon until the next day. Skyline Drive goes eight miles up, past Sunset Campground, to the junction with Francis Road Peak; from there you may continue up and to the North to said Peak, or you can go up and South to Bountiful Peak. My intent today was to go somewhere up there. How far would be dictated by how I felt and how passable the road conditions would be. I started from home, clutching last night's Redbox rental, and ran to Harmon's for its return. Dang them, the price went up 20 cents per night. I continued my mini-adventure run, opting to route through the Lagoon premises on the paved trail named for the park. Up past Farmington pond, then began the climb up into the canyon. Here's why I should have been running this route all last summer: Spring runoff had caused some minor landslides up on the road, and now a gate blocks access to any motor vehicle. Usually this thing is occupied by an endless flow of passenger vehicles, motorcycles and ATVs, which from the look of the dust that is constantly blown into the air, would make for a miserable running experience. Well, I finally got myself on Skyline Drive in the canyon and the place is deserted. Clean air for all. The miles went by quickly, although I was not running at any impressive speed. It is all uphill, which is why this road appeals to me. I ran it all, no reason not to. The Sunset CG is five miles up the canyon and that is where snow stopped melting. I tried to run through crusty, ankle-deep snow but it was literally running in slow motion. I felt a small sense of connection to Rocky in the fourth movie, where he trained in deep Siberian snow. Yo, I can beat this guy, for America! I turned around at nine miles and reversed the route. When I started from home I had an idea of going all the way up to Francis Peak, which would put me in for over 28 miles, but I was relieved when the snow blocked my way. Another three miles up from where I turned around would have been easy, but I will have to wait until after next Spring to take it further. I am wishing the road is closed indefinitely. Nine miles back home and straight into a soothing bath. Yes, bath. You got a problem with that? According to my big, super smart techno watch, I got over 3,000 feet of vertical climb. I'm happy with that
| 