Utah Triple Crown: One Day Run of Three highest peaks in Utah - King's, South King's, Gilberto
Fastest Known Time (barely)
I have desired to do the Triple Crown for a coupla years. I gotta give credit to JUN (Craig Lloyd) for doing the legwork (literally) for establishing the fastest combination of peaks and routes between. Last month he ran a crazy fast time of 8h29m for the Triple Crown and held the fastest known time for summiting all three peaks. Until today. I left home saturday morning at 4:30AM and drove 2.5 hours to Henry's Fork campground in the high Uintas. It was about 8:15 when I started my watch at the fencepost and began running up the trail. I tried to move as quickly as possible with a McDonald's #2 meal bouncing around in my tummy. I averaged a 10 minute mile up to mile 4, then slowed down a bit as the rocky trail gains some altitude just before Elkhorn Crossing. I arrived at the bridge in 56 minutes. The run up to Dollar Lake was pleasantly quick and never having actually been to the lake I had to ask directions of a lady on the trail, then feel my way to it and around. Past the lake I began the upward climb to Gilbert Peak, Utah's 3rd highest. Steep. Slow. Up on the plateau I hiked steadily in the direction of the summit, also never having been to this particular mountain. I had prepared myself for the false summits so I was pleased when I finally found the true summit sooner than I had expected. I arrived there in 2h42m. I did not stop, just turned around. Jumping down through the rocks I was bored and talking to myself in a funny Dracula accent (First peak of the Treeple Crown!) when I was startled to hear the voice of a nearby hiker calling to me. Kept moving down to find the steep chute into Henry's Fork basin. [Note to self, do not ever climb up this chute. It would be a real sufferfest. Ask Scott W. and JSH.]
Down in the basin and back on the trail I stashed some clothing and a water bottle near a spring that I would utilize on the way out. I chose to go straight up to Gunsight pass and not take the freaking switchbacks. I got up and over the shortcut to Anderson flat in 15 minutes then proceeded to Anderson pass where I passed a dozen hikers on the ridge up to King's summit. I reached the summit in 5:02. Stayed less than a minute and descended to South King's. South King's summit at 5:27. Did not stop, just circled the small rock tower and began the hike back up to King's. There were some suspicious looking clouds overhead and I wanted to get off the mountain ASAP. Also, I knew that to get the FKT I needed to keep moving. It was gonna be close. I chose not to go back to the summit of King's, traversing a hundred feet lower. I then decided not to go back down the hiker's route, and angled down the face of the mountain instead. I re-crossed Anderson plateau and arrived at Gunsight pass at 6 hours 42 minutes. I found my stashed clothing and made myself an UltraGen drink, then banged out the last 9 or so miles back to the trailhead. Mostly I managed to keep my pace below ten minute miles. I knew I did not have much room for error if I wanted to come in under Craig's time. I can in fact claim a victory but only by a tiny margin. Craig's time last month was 8 hours 29 minutes and I got to the fence post at 8 hours 26 minutes and 53 seconds. I felt like I was chasing JUN all day out there. Our splits and total time are virtually identical. I have a complete understanding of the effort he made last month. It was no easy thing. Overall I felt terrific all day. Weather-wise it was bluebird. On to the next adventure. Gear used: Lucky Speedgoat 50K T-shirt Red wristband Nathan Hydration pack 1 handheld water bottle
Cheap sunglasses, scratched Montrail Mountain Masochist shoes (appropriate name) 1 flask EFS gel, 1 flask Hammer gel, 1 Stinger Waffle, Power Bar Energy Blasts, UltraGen Recovery drink mix
Sausage McMuffin with Egg, hash browns, orange juice (pre-run)
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