I parked and stretched out a bit and hit the trail. I was even more conservative in pace than usual, wanting to save a lot for the latter part of the 2500 or so feet climb.
 |
| Cool little cabin about a mile from the start of my run, only accessible by trail. I want to live in it! |
The first couple of miles is steady climbing up double track, nothing too dramatic until I hit Shadow Canyon. The trail becomes mostly a power hike up steep trail littered with large boulders for about a mile. (you will have to forgive my estimates, I almost never wear a GPS watch anymore.)
 |
| Example of what Shadow Canyon trail looks like |
When I got near the saddle the trail levels out to the point that it becomes mostly runnable for a bit.
 |
| Burned out forest near the saddle |
I headed right at the top of the saddle to head to Bear Peak then after a brief stay at the top headed back down the saddle to South Boulder Peak. Both peaks require some fairly exposed scrambling to reach the true summits. The views to the west are absolutely beautiful and fantastic.
 |
| View of the big mountains to the west from Bear Peak |
 |
| Survey marker near the top of Bear Peak. I love coming across these |
After hanging out for a bit I headed back down the canyon. Downhill may be harder than going up for me, I don't have the quads to pound down steep grades with boulders!
I got in about eight miles or so with a good amount of elevation gain. Guess it would probably be about 60% running, the rest power hiking. A nice change of pace and good fourteener training. Planning on hiking up Mt. Evans sometime in the middle of July.
 |
| One of my little friends. These chipmunks were all over both peaks. |
 |
| This fellow is my personal hero. Ran into him three times during the morning. He hiked up from NCAR and bagged both peaks. I was not rude enough to ask but he had to be at least seventy years old. Amazing dude! |
