Leadville trails

We happened to be in the Collegiate Peak area during the Leadville 100 race, and our friend Art happened to also be there.  He was crewing and pacing his friend Keith.  Sounded like a fun thing to go watch, so we headed to the Outward Bound aid station that morning.  If we hadn't been so busy chatting (we're such chatterboxes!) we would have seen the eventually race winner, David Roche, come through.

At least we didn't miss Keith.  Looking good!

Art helping him refill the ultrarunner things:

We wanted to hang out at the Twin Lakes aid station for the afternoon, but there is very limited vehicle access.  So we combined it with a trek around the lakes, parking at the far end and getting in some trail miles along the south side first.

A milestone spot in our previous Collegiate Loop group run (where the two divergent pieces of the Colorado Trail come back together):

John hadn't yet seen the historic Interlaken site (Robyn and I had done this section) so we were excited to show him around the unique building:

More of the Interlaken "resort":

Continuing on to the place John met up with us last time, before he and Robyn climbed over Hope Pass; also where we joined the Leadville 100 course:

We got to see the 2nd place woman, Zoe Rom, come through, go Zoe!

We hiked toward the aid station and cheered on the runners while trying to stay out of the way:

Hey, there goes Keith, yay Keith!

Keith in the orange shirt amid other runners on their way to Hope Pass (the first time over).  He would go on to finish in 24:29, nicely done!

Those are quite the shorts:

It's John Sharp!  We always enjoy running into Sharpie in random places around the world, usually at long-distance running events.  Looking good and still smiling!

It's all rainbows and unicorns at Twin Lakes:

We eventually had to move on to finish the trail on the north side of the lakes, with our car being on the other end and all that.  John got his coffee to go:

Robyn and I are happy to be on the Colorado Trail, but I'm not sure what John is thinking at that moment:

A curiosity - we're thinking that it's an intake valve in times of higher water:

And the controlled outflow on the other side of the dam:

Another entertaining day of sightseeing (and race-watching) in the Colorado mountains.

Mount Massive with Robyn

Next stop (last summer, after Utah) = Colorado!  Robyn was interested in climbing more mountains, specifically Colorado 14ers, and we are always up for that.  We managed to string a few fun adventures together, as you might expect.

Seen during a run in Leadville, in the lead-up to the Leadville 100 race:

It was also a Summer Olympics year and a local mountain biker (presumably) appears to be inspired:

First 14er was Mount Massive, the 2nd highest in Colorado.  John and I were getting our stuff together around the corner when Robyn came across this guy having a bit of trouble.  Wish I could remember his name... Robyn went over to inquire and it turned out he had accidentally sprayed himself with bear spray.  Major yikes!!  She helped him rinse off his face the best they could.  Dude was in amazingly good spirits despite the mishap, even posing with us for our trailhead selfie:

It was a beautiful day for a hike in the mountains:

Another grouse, I think, probably not the same one I just saw in Utah:

It is a rather massive mountain:

Mountain goats!  Quick, get a picture...

They didn't seem to be in any hurry, just ambling around:

And climbing on rocks, and if I were a better photographer you'd be able to see the adorable baby goat almost hiding behind the boulder:

Working our way up to the ridge:

It's sort of a trail... I've certainly seen worse summit approaches:

So many more places we can explore!

Yay for climbing peaks with Robyn!

I love that people have been making and leaving these signs in recent years, makes for fun pictures:

More goats -- and a better baby picture:

In the middle of a most excellent day:

Hey, it's bear spray guy, and he didn't give up on his hike!  I might have gone home at that point, but he stuck to it and looked a whole lot better when we met up with him again.  I believe he's taking a picture of me taking a picture of him:

Taking a picture of Robyn taking a picture of flowers (our "summer of flowers" continued into Colorado, yay!)

Admiring the reservoir and mountains around Leadville to the north:

John getting in some trail work, with an assist from Robyn - thank you both!

I *think* this is the buff that Robyn used to help Bear Spray Guy, and we will be very careful with that thing:

Fun start to our 2024 Colorado Time!

Southwest Utah - second half

It just so happened that we were (relatively) close to Las Vegas in early August last year, which is when the annual Star Trek convention happens there.  Could I resist this opportunity?  Obviously, I could not.  I did manage to restrain myself and pick just one day to attend.  A tiny consolation prize for skipping the cruises recently.

My favorite memory was meeting Garrett Wang, who was psyched to see my Delta Flyers T-shirt and happy to chat with me for a few minutes (thank you Garrett!!)

A couple other fun gatherings included a discussion between Michelle Hurd and Mary McDonnell:

And a chat with Christopher Lloyd:

And the main reason I picked that particular day was the chance to see The Rat Pack in concert again.  Love them!

An appropriately decorated car in the garage:

Back in Cedar City (where it was cooler at higher elevation, thank goodness) and wandering around looking at more colorful scenery and geology:

Another photogenic spot near town:

Interesting sculpture entitled "Conversation with Myself", which I can relate to:

I liked the relief map in the Visitor Center, especially this area where we had just been traversing back and forth:

And a look at where we were going next:

I found another FKT route, this one up the road at Cedar Breaks near Brian Head.  It had a lot less information and no previous entries, so I wasn't sure what I would find.  Essentially, you start at one end, drop down into the gorge, then climb up the other side.

My report and some pictures for the outbound trip, as part of an out-and-back effort:

https://fastestknowntime.com/fkt/marcy-beard-ashdown-gorge-r2r-2024-08-07

Some additional photos...

I'm not quite sure what to think about the name of this trail; maybe it gets windy here sometimes:

My run support - Tug-E and John!

Checking out the radar ball on the way out:

A grouse, I think?

Dropping way below the rim and the radar ball:

The aspen tree that disguised a switchback (to the right) in the trail:

Almost to the dirt road near the bottom of the route:

An easy wade across Ashdown Creek:

Another easy crossing at Rattlesnake Creek:

Much better trail (for the most part), plus a Ponderosa to greet me at the start of the climb:

Enjoying my morning of solitude:

Starting to see some Cedar Breaks scenery on the way up:

Toward the top, where there are excellent overlooks into the colorful canyons:

Pointing to my starting spot plus the turnaround (my location at that moment), where I got a John-sponsored resupply:

The return trip report (submitted as a one-way since my return was faster than outgoing):

https://fastestknowntime.com/fkt/marcy-beard-ashdown-gorge-r2r-2024-08-07-0

And a few more photos:

I found a funky pair of shades and did a bit of modeling for John before we parted ways again:

Worth the visit just for the scenery:

Back at the bottom of the gorge, checking out the creek (and its high walls) that goes downstream from there:

And back to the much less traveled part of the route:

Admiring the colors as I hauled myself up the other side:

Hmm, I wonder if I'll get wet today?

Nope!  Another fun run and another day of good weather:

I approve this FKT:

Utah, as always, delivered some unique and interesting experiences, thank you!