AF Canyon Update etc

Ran last week up Pine Hollow trail and the snow wasn't bad, neither was the ice.  I got up to 8,200 feet at Horse's Flat trail and snow got 12" at its deepest.  I was the only one on the Lame Horse Trail since the last snow - it's like running on a cloud, all you hear is your breath.  Perfect time to get out to the backcountry of AF with no vehicles or people.  Reports from Timp say it's OK, if you wear gaitors for the slightly deeper snow - not sure what it's like above 10,000 ft and on up to the summit.  Let me know if you have been up Timp.

Also been running the Alpine foothills below Lone Peak - in the Hamagog area.  What a trail system once you get above the old 4x4 roads (now closed).  The single tracks above the 1st Hamagog are great - both to the east and to the west.  I haven't been up there for 10 or so years - I've been missing out. 

Also I ran around the top of Fort Canyon on the roads up there and on into Suncrest.  Lots of potential there, if only it had better single track trails - most of it was old 4x4 roads.  Still fun, just not as fun.  I'll post some maps and trails - since this is prime winter running territory.

-happy running-

Trans Zion Traverse

November 6, 2009
My cousin, Jared, from Denver and I ran the Zion Traverse 50 miles from the East Entrance to the park to Lees Pass at the West Entrance.  Yes 50 miles, since we got lost twice and logged a few more miles (actual route is 48.3 miles).  For the full route, do as I did and check out Skurka's description.  His site is fairly complete and was our bible of the trail - thanks Andrew.  I'll post more on the details as I get time to write more.  It was both heaven and hell - an EPIC run.  Perfect weather in November and not hardly a soul that day was out.  We saw maybe three people in 50 miles, outside the normal portion of the canyon.  Drop me a note if you have questions or need trail info.


-happy running-

Ridge Trail Tour

October 31, 2009
As a Halloween treat, I decided to run around Mill Canyon Peak via the Ridge Trail TR157 and Ridge Trail East TR038.  It turned out to be 20 miles and 6,300 ft elevation gain.  I started out near the Alpine Loop Summit on the Ridge Trail, following it up to Mill Canyon and climbing up to 9,600 ft at the base of Mill Canyon Peak.  I took the East Ridge Trail, which is part of the Wasatch 100 course, around Mill Canyon Peak. I was the only footprints on the entire East Ridge Trail since the snows.  I did notice that summer moto-psycos had the switchbacks at the "Dive and Plunge" completely torn up - even so, that 1,200 ft vertical drop was fast and fun.  The day began perfect when the trails started out frozen, but they soon turned to muck on the north and west side of Mill Canyon Peak, above Forest Lake, when the sun melted the snow and all was mud.  I struggled to maintain my energy levels with the one step forward, quarter step back in the slick mud on the climbs.  It was frustrating to say the least, but only lasted for 4-5 miles.  I did see bear tracks above Forest Lake all over the trail, as if a couple bears were hanging out on the trail the past few nights.  I continued on around the mountain past Rock Springs (barely flowing with questionable water, but I drank anyway) and dropped back down the rocky trail to Mill Canyon Springs and down the Ridge Trail back to the car.

The temps were perfect short sleeve weather and the sun felt good - I only saw two other hikers the entire 20 miles.  Overall the Ridge Trail was muddy in spots, but not consistently - I would still say no bikes, unless early in the morning.

This was a great route to get into the backside of AF Canyon - highly recommended.  The west side of Mill Canyon Peak, has some of my favorite trails in the canyon.

October Running in the Mountains

October 24, 2009
The weather is always exciting come late October.  I planned to run from Pleasant Grove (Grove Creek Canyon) to Alpine via the GWT and other trails, but it all ended in a rain/snow storm in the canyon at Tibble Fork.  The rain and cold got to me at mile 15 and started breaking me down - I was in shorts and soaked to the bone.  Luckily I got one good cell phone spot on the Ridge Trail and got a ride back home from Tibble. Snow is better than rain, but mixed as a windy slush is torture in shorts. The run ended up being 19 miles and 6,200 ft vertical elevation gain - see map.  I noticed that the weather unleashed on Lone Peak and Dry Canyon above Alpine twice that afternoon - so I was glad I stopped and called it a day. 

The trails were muddy before the rain/snow - so I figure they are no good right now, especially with the snow today.  Tibble Fork side of the canyon was comletely muddy and may be done for the season - so keep bikes off.  We'll see how this snow event dumps in the mountains.


Grove Creek Canyon Trail

Yes, in my visibility vest - I saw more hunters than wildlife.  North side of Timp.

This was a recommendation from a hunter friend - I did feel like a dork, but a safe dork.

Timp in Snow

I ran Timp last Saturday to the upper saddle via Timpooneke.  I figure it's the only time I can run Timp with a hint of winter and not have to take crampons or backcountry skis (though I saw some crampon and ski folks).  The trail was mostly all in the snow after Scout Falls, so it slowed me down some.  The mud was thick at the lower elevations, with some icy spots.  The temps were in the freezing zone still, especially in the shade.  Above the upper saddle was high winds, ice, and snowing off and on - doable, but colder and windier than I prefer.  The snow is about 12-18" deep above 10,000 ft, but the trail is tramped down enough to allow for some running.  I took my YakTrax for traction.  It is currently snowing in the mountains today, so not sure what that will do to the Timpooneke Trail.  Feel free to post updates on trail conditions up Timp if you are up there in the next few days.

-happy running-

Best Time of the Year

For some reason I can't figure out, Fall time is the best time for trail running. I'm not sure if it is the cooler temps, less crowds, or the fall colors. It's a whole new feeling running the mountains once the leaves have turned and are falling off. You would think that the long summer in the mountains would rate higher, but Fall time edges in as the best season - maybe because it is the shortest of the seasons. Fall time is invigorating for whatever the reasons - I feel like I can run more. It could be the desperation of getting in canyon/mountain runs before the snow flies.

Saturday I ran 11 miles of the Great Western Trail from Timpooneke to the west side of Timp. Even though it parallels a dirt road, it seemed remote. I didn't see or hear a soul. The paved roads are crowded with fall color seekers, but the trailheads were empty - maybe it was the threat of snow and cold wind. The Fall colors are winding down, but still holding on. Temperatures and daylight time are both dropping with the leaves. The run followed the trail up to Julie Andrews Meadow and jumped on the GW trail the rest of the way around Timp (out and back route staying off the road). This is one of the trails I seldom run, but wonder why I don't run it more often - highly recommended. It peaks out at 8,700 feet elevation.

Friday I ran 10 miles from Suncrest along the Second Hamagog Trail (TR187) above Alpine. The south facing part of the mountain was sunny and warm. This trail has a spring/brook crossing every mile. I would have imagined it as desolate and dry, but the bedrock brings up the water to the surface. I started at the road just over the Suncrest summit - running on Draper/Suncrest dirt roads for a couple miles east towards Jacob's Ladder. There is a brutal climb in the heat to get to the single track trail TR187 - the trail that heads east. There you will also find the beginning of the Jacob's Ladder Trail TR186. TR187 is rough and somewhat overgrown in places, but there has been some recent clearing. The trail is up and down, with a gradual climb and lots of good running. One good thing about the trail is that there is something new around every corner - a new view, cool spring, hanging meadow, granite rock outcropping, stream, ... on and on.

I plan on getting to Lake Hardy from this trailhead on a longer run - see map - and possibly looping on over to Granite Flats via Dry Creek. Lots of good possibilities here. -happy running-

Canyon Conditions

Ran Timp to the saddle this morning before work and ran yesterday early pre-dawn on the GW Trail. The early mornings are definitely sub-freezing in places now, but I imagine that the day temps are perfect. The leaves are just starting to change - the crisp cool air is leading us into Fall. The dust has been downed by the recent rain events, but no significant mud problems. Post Labor Day is always pretty quiet up the canyon, except for the hunter traffic, but they're usually quiet too (if you can see them). Open rifle season starts Oct 17th or so, according to a friend - just FYI.

A photo from last fall Tibble Fork Trail.

From Tibble to Timp Marathon

Box Elder Peak from Alpine

September 19, 2009

"Ran" Box Elder Peak from Alpine. All I can say is - Relentless and Brutal. I like it. About 5,600 feet elevation gain in 4.6 miles to the summit of Box Elder (at 11,110 ft). I did an out and back, but had originally planned the down route along the north ridge down into Dry Creek - ran short on time. see map.


Highly recommended route for those seeking vertical elevation gain. The trail is steep, but not too loose/rocky, like adjacent Dry Creek. The trail starts at the Dry Creek trail head, and veers sharp right. The trail climbs in and out of the pine trees and scrub until the ridge at 9,000 ft and becomes faint - just keep heading straight (the trail comes into and out of existence, but it's still there). Past the junction at 3 miles, I took a branch off the trail the heads up towards the saddle below Box Elder - pretty much as good of a trail as the main trail. From the saddle, it's a mad rocky scramble to the top.

The run down was a burn -the trail is good enough for bombing down (work the mogul ski muscles). I made the whole loop in 3:08 hrs (2:09 hrs to the summit).

See my other Box Elder posts - from Granite Flats, west loop (no summit), east loop (no summit). Summit Post.org has a good description and photos.

-happy running-

Sept Daylight Calendar

Watch out for the earlier sunsets -

Mt. Timpanongos Run - Records and Such

From Timp Run 08-28-08

Ran Mt. Timpanogos yesterday from Timponeeke to the upper saddle - a good before work run. 13 miles and 4,200 something feet elevation gain -my time to the saddle was 1:35 - see speed records below. Weekdays are best, as weekends are still crowded until October when it cools down. The mountain goats are out in force near the saddle.
I had been reading on speed records up Timp on the Timponeeke Trail. I thought I would use this post to get information on current records - please comment or add records.
Fastest Known Time (FKT) to the summit is claimed by Danny Moody of Orem at 1:15:36 as documented by Davy Crockett.
According to Matt Hart, Karl Meltzer has a round trip record, but maybe not fully documented (any input?) - at 1:58.58 (site has good trip report and video).
Career summits by Phil Lowry 410 + and rising (Phil you may want to update this). http://www.phillowry.com/
Jared Campbell's site has other records, but no Timp records, - but it is a good site to read and find links to local ultra runners and stuff:
http://door5.com/wasatch-fkt/

A new FKT site tyring to establish itself as THE site:  http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/
Summit Post (http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151365/mt-timpanogos-ut-.html) has some records re-listed, but maybe not all updated. Lots of good information here, as expected.