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 Lissa and Ted at the top of Buckskin Pass. On Saturday of July 4th weekend, Lissa, Ted and I hit the Four Pass Loop, one of our favorite long runs through the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness. We started from Maroon Lake and ran the loop counter clockwise, tackling Buckskin Pass first. With the Hardrock 100 only days away, Ted planned to come along for just Buckskin Pass but couldn’t resist tagging along, down the other side to Snowmass Creek, before turning back.
For the most part, the trail was in good shape, with just a little snow on the passes. One thing worth reporting is the presence of a significant number of downed trees between Trail Rider Pass and Frigid Air Pass– on the section of trail between the waterfall and the Fravert Basin creek crossing. Although it’s a little tedious to get through, it’s totally passable- just count on needing a bit more time, especially if you have a large backpack. The wildflowers looked like they might be a few weeks out from peaking so we might have to run the loop again in the next couple weeks to catch the all the fantastic colors. read more>>>
 Runners somewhere around mile 8, on the ridge between Alpine Gulch and Williams. At the end of this ridge are the 14ers Redcloud and Sunshine. Astronomically speaking, Monday the 21st was the longest day of the year, but for about 200 runners, Saturday’s annual San Juan Solstice 50 Miler in Lake City marked the real beginning of summer. Blue skies, dry trails and resulting dry feet contributed to a record number of finishers (results here) and a near course record by 18-year old winner Dakota Jones, who covered the mountainous course with nearly 13,000 feet of vertical gain in 8:13. It was definitely welcome weather when compared to the snowstorm last year and the peak flow creek crossings of ’07 (see report here).
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 Well it’s hard to say, but after getting my hands on a pair of these and hitting the trails, this latest European concept might actually have some legs, or at least help preserve mine.
The Hoka 1.1, a super-cushioned running shoe, is the antithesis of the current minimalist trend in running, and is being introduced as the new barefoot craze seems to be hitting full stride. The compelling case for barefoot running and it’s purported benefits have made otherwise crazy ideas like the Vibram Five Fingers trendy, and in the process fault traditional cushioned shoes for causing injuries. Having not ventured down the shoeless path yet, I can’t quite speak to the topic, but after one quick jaunt up the trail and back in the Hoka’s, I was left thinking that the barefooters out there might want to reconsider their decision.
The debate will continue as to the pros and cons of barefoot vs. cushioned, but even with all the great press the minimalist camp receives these days, I find it hard to believe it will ever move beyond the fringe. Cushioned running shoes are and will remain, in my opinion, the norm. And for the majority out there who prefer cushioned shoes, you can’t get more cushy than the Hoka.
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 Twenty eight minutes. That’s the time it took for the Elk Mountain Grand Traverse to fill up on the morning of December 1st this year. While it may not be quite as hard as the race itself, getting a slot in some of the more popular races can be pretty challenging in itself. As testament to this, a congratulatory email was sent out to all those who got one of the coveted GT slots– not for finishing, but for being able to start.
Sorry if you didn’t get in.
So even though the temperature regularly dips down in the single digits and summer seems really far away, if you are at all considering lining up for some of the more popular summer races, you better start planning now.
Here are some deadlines: read more>>>
 Neal Beidleman traversing snow to the entrance of the Grassy Gullies This is a quickie, both in the day and the write-up. Here’s the debrief:
Neal had the morning free and wanted to go do something fun. I’ll be at Hardrock next week and was looking for more than a routine trail run. Very direct and in parts runable, we both agreed a fast lap on North Maroon’s Grassy Gully sounded good.
 It doesn't really say "cool" but opting for function over fashion, Neal pulls em up high. So up we went.
Even though we knew we would encounter snow, the thought was to leave the bulky snow climbing gear at home so we could move faster, and if the conditions became too challenging we’d just turn back. Snow this time of year can often be traveled safely upon without crampons or axes. The gear list was short– visor, sunglasses, some water, a bit of food, lite gloves and a camera.
 Snowy, yes, but still easily climbed. Put some gloves on, find yourself a pick-like rock and go. Or you could wear big boots, bring crampons and an axe in your big backpack and make it home for dinner rather than lunch. We ran most of the trail to Minnehaha Creek where we found there to be no way across without getting wet. Above the creek the trail was muddy and slick. Traversing to the gullies involved crossing a few snow patches which we could kick steps into pretty easily. Going ‘sans piolet’ we employed any pick-like rocks we could find as third points of contact and self arrest aids if needed, of which thankfully they weren’t. Much of the snow could be passed on scree above or below. read more>>>
Well at least that’s my strategy when Christy and I line up at the start for the Steamboat Marathon this Sunday. I don’t have a choice. After a great spring almost entirely dedicated to skiing, and with the approaching calendar stacked with some pretty tough running races– the Bighorn 50 is in two [...]
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