"Running" up Gregory Canyon. Easier down than up, certainly:
The cathedral of trees on Ranger trail past the cabin:
On this outing I ran more than last time.
I didn't PR on all segments, but did on Gregory/Ranger to Green. I was intentionally running very slowly, but this time I was only hiking the higher steps, maybe over 8". It was tough but I made myself do it.
No summit photos on Green, too windy and cold, I just tagged it and pressed on.
I guess it didn't sink in the first time that Green Bear is totally new trail; beforehand, I thought only the first part was new, and I didn't really know it well enough to judge either way. I have to say I really like it. Bear Peak seems far away:
Again, I forced myself to run most of Green Bear, except the high steps and the rocks on the West Ridge. I did walk to eat a bar at one point, my stomach was growling.
Charred rocks from the fire, with some ice for contrast:
The west ridge was cold and windy all the way, then the sun popped out on top. What a great day it ended up being.
Did I mention I hate descending on Fern (gee, only ten times)?
Nobody seemed to wear traction, and the guy before me "ran" down by sliding in his running shoes like it was a luge run, leaving two slick lines and making the surface even worse. I wish people would consider their impact.
Upper Fern just needs to be totally re-done, it's a piece of ****.
These are the good parts:
It gets better near the saddle, and where you can stop staring at your feet the whole time. Hey, maybe the upper part is more scenic, but I wouldn't know because I'm staring at the trail to make sure I don't slip. And that was with spikes.
Huge rocks all the way down the canyon. Creepy at times.
I even ran every step from the end of Fern, which I rarely do. The log steps or the douche grade slope behind NCAR often gets me when I'm tired. Not this time.
Distance was 12.70 miles, time 4:20 (moving 3:10), elevation gain/loss 4,177 feet, avg. pace 20:32 (moving 14:58), and best pace 8:30.
Recovery at Under the Sun, first time at the new digs. Just as good as the other pubs, but they need a bit of lighting at the bar. Dark. It's a bit louder, which I knew would happen when I saw the wood floors and other hard surfaces going in during construction. I think all three other restaurants are carpeted, and the noise level is more mellow. Nice place though, with an interesting variety of seating. The menu is similar and intended to be a bit more "upscale", but I had to do a double-take when I overheard a bartender describe the other pubs as standard fare, i.e. "burgers and wings". Huh? That doesn't remotely describe the menus at the Sun.
Some storefronts have filled in on Pearl since I was last there: Ozo coffee, Yellow Deli, Athleta, and others. I should probably try a restaurant other than Falafel King or Mountain Sun before I leave this earth.
Picked up Mountain Flyer at the Boulder Bookstore, because it had an article on this woman who rode in Afghanistan. Yikes. Women (locals anyway) are banned from riding bikes there. Too bad such beautiful places are still such backward hell holes.
