I sort of botched the chance for an extended outing on Saturday (leave earlier next time!), but I did a short exploration the trails above town some more. I nearly ran around the perimeter of the area, except for not going all the way out to Cottonwood.
I took CR 173 up to the top of the hill, then cut over on Pauli to Uncle Nazty. The latter is steep, technical and a bit slippery with the sand and tiny pebbles, and would be a good test of whether you are an expert on a bike.
Beautiful terrain up there, with tons of rocks and rolling, tightly swerving terrain. Quite a bit like the Telegraph area in Durango.
I rounded a bend near the end, didn't see this snake at all -- stretched out across the trail -- and jumped clean over it while yelling! Man, that looked like a rattlesnake at first. Bull snake I think. Exciting and funny at the same time.
Distance was 5.30 miles, time 1:23 (moving 1:01), elevation gain/loss 1,038 feet, avg. pace 15:46 (moving 11:34), and best pace 8:08.
PS - Ran in some new Altra Superiors. A little light on tread lugs, but also 2 oz. lighter in weight than the Lone Peak. This might be good for runs that are part path, part trail that I tend to do on the creek paths. Not sure about technical stuff and toe protection, although they did fine on Uncle Nazty!
