Thursday: Got out of work at 4:30pm and into Grand Junction by 10pm. Not much more to be said about this as it was rather uneventful and just thankful to be out of the front range.
Friday: Up early and on our way to Ouray. Made my routine pitstop at McD's in Delta. For some odd reason, I love to stop at McD's when making the journey from GJ to Ouray. Not sure how this started but it's been something I've done numerous times now. Pulled into Ouray just after 10am and parked in the Hot Springs parking lot.
The goal was simple this morning. For Michele to enjoy a beautiful, I mean BEAUTIFUL morning in the hot springs while I went for a nice run around town with McD's coffee in the system. Specifically, a nice run around the awesome Perimeter Trail.
The trail itself is maybe 5 miles with a decent 1.4K of up and down. But the views you get of the town are fantastic. The loop trail does as advertised, run the perimeter of town. The running pace was easy. Easy on the flats, easier on the steeps, easiest on the descents.
Shortly after my sweaty run, I bee-lined my way into the hot tubs and rinsed off with some pool action.
A quick bite to eat and we proceeded to Durango. Spent the next few nights in the wonderful Rochester Hotel. Expensive but well worth it. Central location, great hospitality, adorable rooms and a solid breakfast. Off to Matt and Andrea's for Adaira's birthday bash. The evening was low key with gift opening, backyard drinks and catching up with some close friends. Opted to skip the BBQ for some Ken&Sue's. If you're in Durango, you gotta visit this fine restuarant.
Saturday: My goal was to be at a trailhead by 6am which meant I had to get up well before sunrise. Two nights of bad sleep made this very difficult and I ended up getting to the Lower Hermosa TH at 6:15am with an empty stomach, tired body and mind and venturing onto a trail system I had never been on.
While the body was simply tired, the mind was up to the task once I got going. On today's agenda was a loop consisting of the trails Jones Creek, Pinkerton-Flagstaff/Goulding/Dutch/Lower Hermosa. By my guess, 20+ miles with just under 5K of up and down.
Jones Creek was 4 easy miles of uphill trails. Nothing steep and in all honesty, the trail was nothing overly memorable. Finally met up with the Pinkerton-Flagstaff trail and the fun began. Mt and Dirt bikes frequent this ridge line along the Hermosa Cliffs so the trails were soft, dusty and freakin steep. For the next 4 miles I ran up, down, up, down, up, down....you get the picture. If not, below is all I saw. Trust me, the trail goes straight up.
Yes the views were amazing with Durango to the far south.
And the famous high points of Chicago Basin along the SW Weminuche to the north.
Physically, the Pinkerton-Flagstaff trail kicked my ass, but after a good 4 miles of goofing around and a quick little trip down to the cabin along Goulding, I hit the Dutch Creek Trail. I've heard of this trail and all I knew of it was how remote the trail is. The descent is some 3K and 6 miles. And a more important stat was the 20 or so creek crossings. Some where barely deep enough to get my shoe soaked. Others got my feet soaked. A good 6 were easily a foot deep.
From the start I wanted to get my feet wet and get use to running in wet cold shoes since this will be expected in Lake City. The most shocking of this was how freakin cold the water was. Not so much when you dippped in but as you left the water the toes and feet were just numb. Extra socks will be a must.
By the time I connected with the Lower Hermosa trail I had seen ZERO people in 16/17 miles and over 3 hours of running. The next 4 miles heading back to the car wouldn't be as nice. Mt Bikers, dogs, people and a few Texans. Still, the trail itself left a lasting impression with some sweet single track action.
Overall, the run was fantastic. Yeah the physical effort left a lot to be desired but I put in a solid effort 2 weeks before San Juan without blowing up. Mentally, I was pretty damn strong.
The remainder of the day was spent drinking, eating, drinking some more and a lot of socializing at day 2 of Adaira's birthday party. 92 degree temps decided to visit Durango in June leaving us with perfect evening mountain weather conditions. 10pm came around and it was time for bed.
Sunday: Slept in! Hearty breakfast and coffee at the Rochester! One last 5 mile run around my favorite in-town loop before heading out! Oh how I miss the Nature trail and Animas River. Two of the many routes I ran numerous times during my year plus in Durango.
Overall it was a fantastic weekend. Spent a lot of time with my wonderful wife who puts up with my running addition. Love you for it sweetie! While it was a crazy weekend for the party throwers Matt and Andrea, it was great spend some time with them. Thanks for having us over and throwing such a great party! Durango, as always, you delivered yet another amazing weekend. Durango Love Baby!
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