Adventures on the Colorado Trail

Made a return trip to La Plata Canyon this past Sunday. Thrilled to still be enjoying sunshine and Indian Summer here in the 4 Corners. Started at about 10,000 feet and topped out about 12,200 feet high in the La Plata's. Finally made it over the ridgeline above Taylor Lake and made a precarious traverse along a knife-like section. The mountains around here are almost vertical in spots - one slip makes for a long fall. I focus my eyes on the next step, careful not to be absorbed by the sweeping vistas. Although I know we need snow, I am quite content to enjoy the high peaks while I still can...

More Pics From Yesterday

Last of the pics from the run yesterday up in the La Plata's. Looks as though the forecast should be good at least through this weekend - thinking of maybe heading up Missionary Ridge or further up 550 on Saturday to go high in the San Juan's. Visible behind me in these pics are both The Notch and the 4x4 road leading out of Cumberland Basin, segments of the Kennebec Mountain Race. I feel surprisingly good today, no blisters nor overly sore legs - probably do a fairly easy run. All in all a beautiful day and run yesterday...

How can I support myself pursuing this passion? That is the question...

What a day!

Just returned from La Plata Canyon, and beer in hand, feel much better now... Actually, my run today was simply out of this world - late fall, minimal snow, blue skies, and lots of sunshine - all above timberline in the Rockies... With the advent of winter just around the corner, I decided to go high today, all the way to Kennebec Pass and Taylor Lake. I started just above La Plata City Campground, about 8,000 feet, then ran the 4x4 road to Kennebec Pass, about 5.5 miles with 3,000' elevation gain. Made it there in just under an hour and then ran another mile and a half along the Colorado Trail to Taylor Lake at 12,000 feet. Made the 7 mile run that climbed about 4,000' in around 1 hour and 10 minutes. Passed lots of hunters and hunting camps along the way up, but thankfully, their rifles won't be out until nightfall. Both the dogs made it all the way to the lake, and we killed about 15 minutes takig pictures and admiring the view in all directions. Hard to believe that the trail I was on, the Colorado trail, would take me all the way to Denver. Some day... After lazing in the sun, we retraced our steps back to Kennebec Pass and then all the way down to the truck. All in all, about a 14 mile run to 12,000' and descended in about 50 minutes. Total time about 2:01:17. Pics and video to follow...

Horse Gulch

Pics from today's run in Horse Gulch. Strong winds, sunshine, and temps in the mid 40's. About 7 miles total with about 1,000 feet of climbing and descending. Total time about 47:30. Happy Sunday.

Feels like fall today

After a long week of work, I was up early Saturday morning for the RMAC cross-country championships, grateful to be a spectator. Adams State and Western State battled it out for both the mens' and womens' titles with Adams prevailing in both races. The coffee in my hand and the burrito in my belly certainly affected me as I sprinted with the rest of the crowd between various points along the course. Perhaps this led to my decision to take yesterday off... Anyways, watching the top two teams in the nation duke it out was exciting as both races came down to sprint photo finishes... some inspiration for me as the weather here has plunged in the direction of winter with temps here in the 40's today and snow in the forecast. Currently, the sun is shining with brilliant blue skies and the wind is howling... Better take advantage of the weather while it lasts...

Finally Friday...

Looking North to the La Plata's over Junction Creek














The view from the ridgeline behind my house. A couple hundred vertical foot scramble to the trail that traces the crest of the ridge. This is usually the first several minutes of any run that I do from my house.











To the left is Silver Mountain in the La Plata's, about 12,000 feet. I ran this mountain last year, bushwacking to the top from La Plata Canyon.













The view from the top of Animas Mountain, looking west over the cliffs.











To the left is another picture of Silver Mountain and Cumberland Mountain.







Shrek likes to prance around on the ledges above the Animas Valley.




















View of the red rock along Missionary Ridge.





















My training group, Sherpa and Shrek... who needs a coach and teammates when you have dogs?

Today is Friday at last... After tonight, 4 whole days off from work which will probably be spent running, sleeping, and watching movies. After multiple consecutive days on Sailing Hawks, I ran Animas City Mountain yesterday, catching glimpses of snow high in the La Plata's. Despite the wind and cooler temperatures, the sun kept the day warm and my jacket was left on the side of the trail just minutes into the run - shirtless in late October in Colorado - I'll take that with a smile!

No Telluride Pass - for now...

Well, several martini's the other night did not do the trick... However, the Hesperus Ski Swap on November 3rd will be selling cheap Telluride passes. Maybe in two weeks I will have either the money or the desire to buy a pass - yesterday I lacked both. In any case, last night was the conclusion of a long week of work and I am looking forward to a day off today, but tomorrow, I'll be back at the Cosmo for another 5 in a row - fun, fun... At least the predicted winter storm didn't materialize last night, and today dawned sunny and warm. Maybe I'll be off to the high country today for a long run if my knee cooperates. The last couple days it's been a little tender, but nothing that ice and ibu can't fix.