Hike to Greyrock...With a Race to a Boulder

Notice I said to in the title of this blog and not to the top of!  Sunday morning I headed out with some friends into the Poudre Canyon.  At 10am we set off to hike to Greyrock.  There are two routes you can take: the shorter but steeper route of 3.1 miles to the top includes a 1000' elevation change within one mile or the longer route that wraps and includes meadow that is 4.3 miles to the top.  We decided on the longer route in part because it wasn't so steep at the bottom.  Keep in the mind that the crew I hiked with didn't exactly come prepared for a long hike.  As my friend Ben put it, "I thought we were just heading out for a nice walk.  Now I know, when you hike with Jen Broome, you hike up!"  They funny part was that we were still on fairly flat trail, but we were starting to encounter more rocky terrain.

We started at 9:59am, which is later than I usually hike but I was trying to let my friends sleep in a little on a Sunday morning.  Yes I was up and raring to go before 6am!  So off we went navigating the trail of switchbacks and ever changing terrain from in the trees to open areas to getting above the trees where the rocks get bigger and bigger.  At one point we stopped to enjoy an amazing view.

That's where I decided to do a few yoga poses on the cliff.  Yes I'm right on the edge.

From that point we hiked up to a spot of big boulders then went up and down winding through boulders and trees as we worked or way to the meadow.  About 11:30am we took a snack break....and I realized I was the only one who brought snacks.  Needless to say the snacks were gone in one fell swoop.

So we trekked on to the meadow that offered a moment of peace....until I asked my friend Kat if she wanted to race to the boulder.  She said sure, why not and her husband Ben said he was in too.

So off we went on very bumpy terrain racing to a boulder with my friend Amanda filming it.  Amanda's husband Pete was taking some pictures and busted out laughing at us when he saw the three of us running like little kids to the boulder.  Kat and I were laughing so hard running that both of us almost fell over.  What hoot!  Three grown up kids racing to a boulder....just because.

At noon we started our climb out of meadow up to Greyrock.  After a few minutes we found ourselves off the trail and climbing straight up through rocks into the area that was burned as part of the Picnic Rock Fire in 2004.  While there is new growth and life coming back in the area, the scars of the fire are still very evident.

We had a great time just exploring and trying to find our way back to the trail.  Once back on trail, it wasn't long before we were at the Greyrock loop where you can take the Summit Trail to the top, head down to the meadow or take the Greyrock Trail back down.  Since it was 12:30pm, we decided to head down the steeper shorter route because we were getting short on time and remember I was the only one who had brought food.

After a short break, we headed down at 12:45pm.  At 1:55pm we were back at the trailhead and completed a 6.4 mile hike.  Not bad but next time I told the group we're heading all the to the top!

Trekking Across Dinosaur Ridge

After a shoot at Dinosaur Ridge, I decided instead of heading over to Red Rocks that I was going to run/hike the Dakota Ridge Trail.  Erin from Dinosaur Ridge said the views are spectacular...but watch for rattlesnakes.  Now that's a different run for me - run and watch for rattlers!  So I parked my car at the gate entrance of Dinosaur Ridge and started running up the road to the trailhead.

Right at the trailhead I noticed a mountain biker and decided to let him make it down the last switchback before I headed up.  I asked him if he had seen any snakes.  Just one he said, then commented on how early it is to see them.  Great.  Blame snakes coming out early on the weather!  He told me where it was and I had so ground to cover before getting close to the snake spotted zone.

I jumped on trail and started the climb up to the ridge line.  I quickly noticed the ever-changing terrain and constant rolling of this ridge.

It wasn't long before I got the great views of Red Rocks, Morrison, Golden, and even Denver.

There were a couple of spots that I just had to stop and soak up the scenery of the Foothills, jagged rocks, petrified trees, and the trail that lies ahead.  I kept going through the trail that does turn into a single track trail through rocks and boulders in a few points.

I asked a few other folks if they'd seen any snake.  All said no until two women said yes and that it was about 30 minutes down trail in the ravine.  There was a guy hiking a little ways behind me so at least I knew if I did run into a rattler there would be someone not too far behind.  About 10 minutes after I ran into the women a guy was running the other way and said he didn't see the snake.  So feeling a little better I kept going, but still slower than I normally would as I was keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes as I traversed the ridge line.

As I got closer to the ravine, a guy named Jason was on the home stretch of his run and took the raven and uphill to next ridge peak with me.  Actually nice to have someone to chat with for a bit on my run/hike. I hit my turn around point and was able to take the trail back at a faster pace since I wasn't so scared to run into a snake but still had to go back through some tough terrain.

 
It took me 45 minutes to get all the way back to my car, including a couple of stops to take a few pictures.  The Dakota Ridge Trail is 2.2 miles and add the distance to and from my car to trailhead and it was close to 3 miles each way.

It's a great run or hike.  Make sure you take water, wear sunscreen, and watch for snakes!

Sunday Run Day Fun Day

Got in a great run with my friend Christy this morning.  We hit the Salado Creek Greenway in San Antonio.  I tested my Motion X GPS app against the mile markers on the greenway and found my app is off.  Actually made me feel better about my run last Sunday.  The app is underestimating mileage.  So I'm going on the hunt for a new running app.  We got in over 4 miles on a warm sunny Sunday morning.

Running The Ranch

Sunday morning I actually got a little downtime with myself, nature and the sunrise.  Running early on a Sunday morning is one of my favorite things, especially when I get a chance to enjoy a beautiful place like the Smith Fork Ranch.

I took off on a trail run first down the Old Ferrier Ditch Trail.  We rode horses on the trail Saturday and I ran along the cliff by the river, through the Cottonwoods back to the ranch's breakfast ride spot and to the river where we crossed on horses the day before.

As I was running back the sun was rising above the mountains and it felt like it was chasing me down the trail.  I raced it back to the road.

From there I ran by the cabins and main building.  As I was passing the barn and where a couple of folks were practicing roping, Gus the ranch dog, ran with me.  We headed back to the cattle guard at the entrance to the ranch.  It was a great view of Needle Rock.

From there I ran back for a well earned breakfast.  That's a way to the start the day!

Taking The Lake Estes Trail

On Saturday morning I got up early with plans to run.  My hamstrings were still super sore from Pilates and Kinesis and then hiking up to Gem Lake Friday so I decided power walking would be a better option.  It was a chilly morning so the elk were out.  In fact I got charged my a bull shortly into my workout!  Yes I did a sprint away.

Lake Estes was gorgeous with the steam coming off the lake in the sunshine.  I thoroughly enjoyed the 3.75 miles trail.

Wash Park Wednesday

It was one of those days where I had every intention of getting in a run at Wash Park before my noon haircut and highlight appointment.  But it was right at 11am when I got out of the station and I tried to bail on myself.  But no I headed over to Wash Park and got it done.  It was just a quick run in the heat (record high of 98 in Denver today) but checked it off my to do list.

Sometimes when you are crunched up against time constraints you have your best cardio workouts.  I needed that run.  Got the 2.6 miles done in about 22 minutes with a couple of minutes to stretch then off to my appointment on time.  It wasn't as far as I wanted to go but it was 2.6 miles farther than when I started!

Trekking West Maroon Trail

Saturday was a big hike with a group from Aspen to Crested Butte on the West Maroon Trail.  This was my first time to do the hike.  Most of the group has done it before.   It's 12.5 miles with the extra 1.5 (possibly 2) you have to hike because of an avalanche near Emerald Lake that is still keeping the road closed. We start at Maroon Lake at 7:30am and by 8:11am we'd arrived at Crater Lake, which is about 1.5 miles.  We crossed two streams and had to walk through two snow areas in the first 6+ miles to the lunch stop on the saddle at 12,500 feet.  We headed down from the Saddle at 11:25am. Wildflowers were everywhere on the second half of the hike.   We got to the trailhead at 1:08pm but then had to walk the road including uphill a ways on the road to Emerald Lake. The road was closed because of an avalanche that we walked over. We were to the bus at 1:50pm and definitely ready for some R&R.  The weather was perfect and the hike was awesome!

Tackling Two 14ers

On the Summit of Torreys

Saturday I tackled not one but two 14ers.  A 14er is a 14,000 foot peak.  There are 54 of them in Colorado.  I did my second and third by hiking Grays and Torreys with four friends.  I'm still an extreme newbie to doing this and for two in our group it was first time to a 14er.  You start at an elevation of 11,280 feet in Stevens Gulch.  Round trip is just over 8 miles.  We took off in 44 degree weather.  The path was green and lush bursting with wildflowers.  As we climb of course it turns more rocky.  We decided to hike up Torreys (14,267) first then Grays (14,270).  Grays Peak is the highest peak on the Continental Divide.

According to 14er.com the trail is 8.25 miles when from Stevens Gulch to do both peaks.  

 

It's a pretty tough workout with the altitude.  We definitely savored the gorgeous day.  The views were spectacular, even with the clouds really rolling in when we were on top of Grays and heading down. 

My friend Chris, who does 14ers all the time, told me the only way to get faster and better at them is to do the climbs.  Everyone reacts differently to the altitude.  You definitely get a chance to push yourself farther than you think you can go.  For beginners plan on it taking 8-9 hours to do both.  There will be lots of breaks.  More intermediate hikers will do it on average in about 5-6 hours.  More advanced hikers and trail runners can do this route in 3-5 hours.  I was having stomach issues from the get go and was fully cramped out for descent.  I made it (barely after close to 9 hours on trail).  If you've seen the movies Bridemaids, there's a scene outside of the bridal shop that could have easily been me several times on the mountain.  I know TMI.

With the pushing yourself and then the views at the top, I can definitely see why so many are hooked on 14ers!

On the Summit of Grays with Torreys in the background.

   

Running Along Gore Creek...and Checking Out The View

My Sunday morning run was along Gore Valley Trail.  I started out about 9:30am in 64 degrees weather. I decided I just wanted to do a nice leisurely jog, Facebooking and tweeting along the way while taking in the amazing scenery on a beautiful Sunday morning.  


It's a mile along the Gore Creek from Vail Cascade Resort to Lionshead Village.  At Lionshead I ran right through the Mini Golf course and by the chair lift then back by creek.  I popped up street side in Vail Village to check out the Farmers Market.
Jump back on trail on east side of Village on the Gore Creek Stream Walk, which is gravel, to Betty Ford Way and run to and around the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the highest botanic gardens in the United States, and Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. 

On the way back I took the Golden Peak/Ford Park route back to Vail Village and connect back on Gore Creek Stream Walk.

I then had to go through part of Vail Village Farmers Market again to catch the Gore Valley Trail again to head back to Vail Cascade.

Straight shot from Cascade to Alpine Gardens is about 2 miles each way. I added some extra to hit over 5 miles.

After a post-workout lunch I was walking around with my friend Kim, who was visiting me for the weekend, and Chris, who lives in the Vail Valley.  Chris Anthony is an extreme skier and in ridiculous cardio shape.  As we walk over from Vail Village to the Alpine Gardens he made the comment jokingly, "You ran this far?"  Yes Chris I did.  Running is the only sport I could beat him at since his knees from years of competitive skiing won't let him do much more than a mile.  Now hiking up a mountain, bike riding, and of course skiing....I'm eating his dust!

Hiking Hanging Lake

Saturday was a hike to Hanging Lake.  It was just named one of the six new National Natural Landmarks in the United States.  Once you get to the top it's easy to see why with the shoreline composed of travertine rock giving the water a spectacular color.  The 1.2 mile climb is a short, steep scenic trail called a "more difficult" trail by the Forest Service.  It's quite steep in some areas, especially near the top and you have to traverse very rocky areas.

When my friend Kim and I started out it was 10:30am and already very sunny and warm.  Within 15 minutes we're both drenched with sweat.  But as we climb higher and get in more shaded areas we don't sweat as bad.  It's definitely a workout climbing the rocky trail.  In the shady spots right by the stream the temperatures drops as much as 5-10 degrees.  On the way up I'm shooting video and stills so it takes us about an hour to do the climb.  On the way down, only 35 minutes.  But going down was just as much a workout as going up.

It starts at an elevation of 6387 feet and ends at an elevation of 7323 feet so it's an elevation gain of 936 feet..  But the trail meanders alongside a stream originating from the lake and the waterfalls at the lake and the higher Spouting Rock waterfall are refreshing after the strenous hike up.

Race Ya!

Race Ya!  Well not exactly how my brother phrased it.  He actually said "Race your a**!!!" in a email to me yesterday once I told him what I was doing.  Here's the deal - he's on a quest to loose 17 pounds by Christmas.  My brother lost over 100 pounds by watching his diet and walking while he lived in Northern Ireland.  Now that he lives in Shenyang, China, it's a little more difficult for him to do the workouts he wants.  Guess he'd better hit the gym because it's GAME ON between siblings!

So Day 2...I had hoped to get out after the AM show a little early but that didn't really work out.  I get up at 2:45am so sure I could use the it's hot and I'm tired excuse today but I thought about my friends that have crazier schedules than me with kids and still get their training done.  So in a nut shell my excuses went out the window!  I debated going to gym or hitting the bike trail.  Opted for the later.

Talk about a hot one!  It was 95-97 degrees during my ride.   So this is when the meteorologist in me comes out with reminders about working out in hot weather:

• Don't forget the sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - if you start feeling thirty, you're already showing signs of dehydration
• Slow the pace - no need to go gangbusters, just get the workout done
• Take breaks

I'd plan to ride for an hour or hour and a half.  As any cyclist will tell you as you're getting back in the saddle you have to build up seat time.  Your booty, back and hands need time to build up to longer rides.

So off I go on the South Platte Bike Trail - one of my favorites in Denver.  It's easy to jump on it Confluence Park and there's ample parking near REI flagship store.  Because of the heat there were very few walkers and runners but there were some folks of bikes and others resting in shady spots along the river.  And yes there were the occasional homeless folks that are always on the bike paths but they usually leave you alone.  Other than it being hot, it was a nice ride.  With the heat I decided to ride at a slower pace and get 20 miles done.  Which I did in an hour and a half riding about a 12.9/13 miles per hour pace.  Definitely not hammering it down, instead getting the distance and workout done.

I loved seeing the signs along the way Mary Carter Greenway Trail (South Platte Trail feeds into it) that say speed limit 15mph.  Yes I did hit over the speed limit a few times.

I'd noticed yesterday on my ride that my right shoe clip seemed to be sliding.  Well today it was all of the place.  When I got home I noticed two of the three screws holding the clip plate to the shoe are gone.  Glad I didn't need to clip out and make a quick stop!  Guess I'm heading to REI tomorrow to get it fixed.

Some days you race it.  Some days you just get it done.  And some days you just need to float....like the folks I saw on the Platte River.

Happy Fourth of July!