Cascade-Molas Attempt

I set out Sunday to do a trail run from the bottom of Cascade, up Engineer Mountain Trail to the Colorado Trail and out at Molas Pass.  Unfortunately I flinched when the skies got dark at Engine Creek, so I headed down the mountain and of course the skies got blue again.

 My problem was not packing a rain jacket, something I need to do now.

 I stopped by the water fall on Engine Creek and took a little break.

But the Cascade to Molas is a summer goal for sure.  I'm going to do that.  People ride it on mountain bikes in the other direction fort the downhill at the end, but the way I see it - Cascade is closer to Durango and once at Molas I can decide whether to run the road back to the start (with one climb up to Coal Bank, but the rest all downhill) - or hitch a ride back.  

Elbert Creek

I rode Elbert Creek the other day and despite some dead fall it is in great shape.  

 It is a primitive trail and route finding can be difficult - but it also one of the more technical trails in this area near Hermosa Creek.  

 The views on the trail are great too.

Yellow Jacket Mine

Pictures are better than words.  Nice mountain trail run, an out and back with tons of photos. 

High country is open!

Jeni, Jia Li and myself went up to Engineer Mountain.  they went for a hike and I went for my favorite run in the area - a 17-mile loop up Engineer Mountain Trail, down Engine Creek, and then back on Cascade.

 Mostly dry up top and skunk cabbage everywhere.

 Backside of Engineer.

 I could run/ride this all day, everyday.

 Down to Cascade and then over to the falls.

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.  

Lifesaver

This little spring has saved my parched tail a few times.  Nothing like ice cold mountain spring water after drinking sugary sports drinks all day.  Located on Hermosa Park Road.

Summertime

I was happy to see the month of May disappear.  I picked up a head cold the 2nd day while on a trip in Massachusetts, and then that turned into allergies that I somehow picked up in my mid 40's.  

With some work demands and some respiratory issues  it resulted a streak where I missed some planned (and paid for) races.  C'est la vie!

 I'm getting back into the swing of things now and I'll have to find some balance between riding and running.  The desire to go mountain biking is there, but the preparation for it is not.  With running, I'm out the door and can beat myself down quickly, efficiently, and leave me ready for more the next day.

 The in town trails are good but hot right now.  The transition to the high country is coming soon. 

I think all I can do is just see what happens and don't plan for anything.  Take it one day at a time.

Wall Art

I had a buddy upgrade some photos I took of Jeni over the years using some digital imaging software he uses.  My pictures were defiantly lower quality than what Jeff works with as a professional, but he worked some magic and we were able to get the images digitally applied to canvas.  Jeff had advised us to get prints, but we went with smaller canvas and I like the look.  This was one of Jeni's holiday gifts, and we just now got them up and mounted.

Jeff has amazing images taken in mountain country and over the southwest.  Jeff does prints and you can get them mounted as you like in your choice of frame.  The pricing is great and it is an awesome way to add art in your home.  Check out his website!  Jeff Irwin Photography.

Wayback Machine

Not much left on the internet from this day 10 years ago, but Scott Dunn's ABQ Journal Article from the week prior is around.  Happy Otero Day!

Jones - Pinkerton / Flagstaff

Got in a nice 45-mile ride the other day biking from town.

 I wanted to hit Little Elk Creek but could not get out of the house in time.

 So I did an out-and-back.

Ready to ramp the miles up.  

Full Missionary Ridge Run

I did it!

Lately I had this idea about running the full Missionary Ridge Trail and then coming down Stevens Creek.  I got in 25 miles on 80-oz of water and 600 calories, which was not a good choice.  

 6 scopps of Heed in my water bladder and a couple of granola bars were the plan, but it was too hot to eat the granola and by the time I pulled them out they were too dry and I was out of water.  Came down Stevens on vapors.

 I had the perspective of biking this so I assumed I'd move through more quickly.  That an a goofy 1-hour lost on the First Fork Trail and I explored the west side and wasted time.  Had I skipped that I would have descended Stevens more hydrated and then would have been able to pick some up from one of the houses down there. 

 Instead, I ran out of water up on the Ridge and came down Stevens dry enough to chew on Oak leaves to keep my tongue from turning to leather.  Stopped by a nicer home and got hydrated from Chuck and his wife Anita who thought I was nuts when I told them my route.   Funny thing though - I was following someone else's running shoe tracks all day, so I was not the only one doing this route!  I just started late - 12-noon!

Jeni picked me up near the Bar D Ranch and we went to Home Slice Pizza afterward which was great.  Jia Li played all over the patio and had a blast.  Without the First Fork fiasco this route can be done in full, although the paved road run back to town is a bit of a bore.  Than would be a ~35 mile loop though.  

New Kicks!

Starting Hoka pair no. 5!  If I ever become a multi-millionaire there is one thing that I will be wasteful about:  New shoes.  I'd run them a couple times and then get a new pair.  Nothing is better than a stiff and solid shoe.