Fast Running Blog

Adam Wende is coming down from SLC to join Michelle and myself for a run up and down Provo canyon (20 miles).  I think we will throw some fast stuff in but I don't know what the plan is for sure.  We would love for others to join for the fun times.  We are going to meet at the parking lot at the mouth of Provo canyon at 5:30am.  Let us know if you are joining so we can look for you.

Josse, You shouldn't have dropped my name... you just ruined your chances of having anyone else show up :D

I would come, but not if Wende is coming.

Oh um, I mean the cool Adam is coming ;)

Hey, I haven't confirmed my saturday run plans yet!!!

I'll be there. Where exactly is the meeting point?

parking lot below the gas station at the mouth of the canyon.

Josse, I was up running in provo canyon this afternoon and the sheriff has a road block 2.5 miles downhill from vivian park (3.5 uphill from the gas station parking lot). No one is allowed up past that point.

The forest service told me that the road trail would be closed off, and that you can pass the road block (which is really annoying to do--lots of police tape and barriers), but you then have to immediately turn off onto the bonneville shore line trail (about 100m from the road block) and stay off the road. If they catch you on the road you'll get ticketed.

I don't know how long it will be like this though. Probably until all the fire hazard is gone.

Is there a fire, or just a fire warning? I know City Creek is burning but I didn't know Provo canyon is also burning?
Is the limitation for auto traffic only or also foot traffic?
If anyone is in the area please let me know before I wake up at 4am on Sat to drive down for no run...
Thanks, Adam

Adam:

If you find out the Provo Canyon is blocked, you can always run up the glorious Squaw Peak Road, and then back down. It will prepare you for St. George even better.

Bridal Veil Falls is burning (or at least was still burning as of monday). They are dumping water by helicopter on the area.

Everything was blocked in that area. I ran past the road block along the normal trail and the forest service stopped me immediately and basically told me to turn around, keep running and get a ticket, or get on the bonneville shoreline trail.

So unless they clear the road block by saturday morning, once you go up the canyon 3.5 miles on the trail you'll have to turn around.

Adam, Thanks for the details.
Sasha, There is something ominous in the “tone” of that post. I think I should be afraid, be very afraid…
Everyone planning on coming down, I guess the main thing is that we all still know where to meet in the early AM of this Saturday. I’m assuming the gas station is somewhere on 52 (E800N) just before 189 (E Provo Canyon Rd), does anyone know what gas station it is? Also, let me know if everyone is up for Sasha's alternate or if we should reschedule...

I will try and find out about the restrictions.  If we can't go up then we can run in the other direction.  As for the gas station get off the 8th south exit and go east.  This road takes you to the mouth of the canyon where the gas station is located.  We park in the big parking lot just below the gas station. 

The gas station is called Will's Canyon Stop. There is also a Subway right there.

Drive through the gas station to the back of it and there's the parking lot Josse is talking about.  You'll also see a big white banner about the TrailRun Marathon Relay Sept 6.

Squaw Peak Road = long winding climb of death w/ a nice view at the top.

I may or may not come. If this back issue clears up I want to jump into a 5k race saturday. If it doesn't I can still run 7-8 min pace ok for 10-12.

I say we wait to see if it clears, and if it doesn't I'd be willing to drive up to SLC this week and do a similar canyon run so long it isn't too steep.  The great thing about provo canyon is we can run up and down without doing a death march up (like squaw peak).  I'd like to do this provo canyon run this week because of the 1/2 marathon, but its up to the firemen at this point.

I called the City of Provo and they gave me a phone number I can call tomorrow to get the status of the trail.  The receptionist said last she heard the trail was closed from Nunn's to Bridal Veil today.

I'll keep my fingers crossed about the canyon opening. My wife pointed out to me though that even if the fires are out it still may be pretty smoky for doing a long run/workout ... The only "canyon" runs I've done up here have been City Creek (also currently on fire) and Emigration Canyon (not sure if this is too steep for you). Steve and I have had fun the last too times on Emigration and I would be up for repeating that and just adding on some miles at the end to get it to 20... I wouldn't suggest running up and down but doing the same that Steve and I did the last two times of leaving a car at the finish and meeting at the start with 3+ miles of uphill first but then mostly downhill. We could always scratch either of these ideas and do a Rail Trail run closer to Steve. Flattish run but above 6000... I'm just throwing some backup plans out there. In any case, I would be more than happy to still come down to get to meet more bloggers and run a flatter smoke free course even if we can't get up on the Provo 1/2 course. I've already prepared mentally for waking up early and driving down so I'll leave it up to you two Michelle and Josse and meet with whatever you think is best.

I was up in the canyon again today for a work BBQ, and it looked like they've now only blocked off the section from nunn's park to just up past bridal veil falls. So maybe just 1-2 miles of trail. Hopefully it will be gone by saturday.

Everything else was open (including the section from vivian park up to the girl scout camp), and there wasn't any smoke that I could notice.

Here's an article about it. 

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/274849/17/

Article summary: The fire was 100% contained as of Wednesday, there still will be some fire activity, especially a helicopter working on dousing internal hot spots.  Adam's right that we may need to hit a trail/the highway between Nunn's and Bridal Veil.

Overall, I think its worth having to hit a trail/the highway for that piece to be able to see the rest of the course, especially the top.  Anyone have a thermometer that measures low temperatures so we can see if the river is cold enough for post run icing?  I have meat thermometer, but other than that, I can't even think where to find a cold one, maybe a pool supply store. . .

I had a kitchen one for that very purpose but it didn't like going into the bathtub with me and now reads 98F no matter where I put it. BB&B has a good selection but I won't be able to get a replacement until after our run Sat...

I don't think you'll have any problem with finding a cold river at 6 AM up in the canyon...

Hey all,

I will have to pass on the run tomorrow. Erica has a soccer tourney up in Idaho and we are leaving at 4AM on Sat. So, unless someone wants to meet at 1AM for the run, I think I'm out.
Have fun without me and I'll see you all at the Provo Half next weekend.

Steve

I ran up the canyon today and there was no smoke.  I didn't get the section that was talked about so I don't know if it is still closed but we can always hop on the road or there is a trail across the street for that section.

Sounds good. I'll plan on being there unless I hear otherwise.