My first weekend training in Silverton is now complete and I’ve got a full growler of beer from Avalanche Brewing ready to drink tonight to celebrate a solid 7 hours of running on the Hardrock course. I am constantly blown away by the beauty and ‘epic’ness of the San Juan Mountains. The vast mountains and valley’s make me feel quite insignificant in the larger sense. A lightning strike off in the distance while running along a ridge at 12,600 feet on my first training day sent a shot of adrenaline through my body. Running along a thin strip of “quarter” track trail above 11,000 feet on the Kamm Traverse with a ridiculous drop off to my right made me feel a sense of vertigo.
Bear Creek Trail up close to treeline
I arrived late Friday night into the high country and pulled off at Molas Pass above Silverton for the first night of camping in my truck. I left the hatch on my truck open and just took in the cool air and stared up at the stars. Everything felt so clean and inspiring. The next morning I awoke to a beautiful sunny day and green mountains all around. I geared up for a big 5 hour day and hit the trail by 9:45am. I started at the Mineral Creek crossing on the Hardrock Course (about mile 98 this year) and worked backwards towards the KT aid station. I wanted to run on the course and simulate finishing in the correct direction in a strong fashion on tired legs. I settled into a run/hike and sipped orange Tailwind from my bottle to keep a steady stream of glucose pumping. Halfway up the climb, I bumped into Diana Finkel and her boyfriend Ben who were backpacking the entire Hardrock course over several days. They shared some course recon, stating that there wasn’t much snow to speak of.
High point of my run on Saturday at 12,600 feet
I continued on and had a mostly uneventful run over to KT. On the way back I encountered a small snow flurry that lasted about 5 minutes and after the final climb back up to the high point on the pass I took a little rest, just gazing out on the mountains. A couple rumbles of thunder woke me out of my trance and I hopped up, ready to get off the ridge which was way high above treeline! I finished the run strong, envisioning what time of day it would be like for me one month from now during the race. Last time 4 years ago it was late afternoon. I’m hoping it will be early to mid morning this time around! Finished up with 19 miles for the day and just shy of 5 hours including a couple small breaks.
Crossing the South Fork of Mineral Creek near the KT aid station location
My second day of training brought me over to South Mineral Creek road and I picked up the trail at KT where I turned around the day prior. I ran most of the Kamm Traverse and made quick work up the steeper sections of the snow free trail to Grant Swamp Pass. I was up from the truck at the trailhead to the top of the pass in about 1 hour 25 minutes. I took a few photos, filled my bottle with Tri-Berry Tailwind and smashed the descent back towards Island Lake, filling the bottle in a small stream and running strong all the way to the truck in 45 minutes. Probably about an 11 mile run today. It was fun to run hard and a good test of the quads which I’m sure will come in hand on race day!
Before my run up to Grant Swamp Pass – gotta have style!
Trail above Island Lake leading towards Grant Swamp Pass
I’m now in Silverton, reacquainting with the new things in this small town, catching up with friends and really enjoying life living out of my truck. I love having everything I need, food, water, clothes, sleeping gear all with me wherever I travel. It is freeing not to be tied into one place. Looking forward to a much deserved glass or two of beer tonight and an off day tomorrow! I will be hitting up the infamous Avalanche Chute on Wednesday for a vertical punch in the lungs. Run steep, get high!
Bear Creek Trail
Damn! Island Lake. Awesome.