AM - 8 Green Springs. Slept in a little! Nice overcast morning, so I hope that holds on to this afternoon. Ran Green Springs very easy and took Molly around. Legs are a little sore from yesterday I guess. (Stratus bee 678.25) noon - 21.5 Pine Valley. There are 20 mile runs and then there are 20 mile experiences - this was an experience. Started at Silver Reef with the intent of running up to Oak Grove and up the Summit Trail to the top of Pine Valley, then around on the trail up there and back. I hadn't ever done this before, but have heard that the trail is just as steep as possible. Started off at 3700 ft. at Silver Reef and started up to Oak Grove - this 7+ mile section is in of itself a climber, up to 6800 ft. Saw a very cool Red Tail Hawk flying with a snake in its claws. Got to Oak Grove and started up the trail; basically it is 3+ miles and nearly 3500 ft elevation gain. There was a lot of hiking and wishing that I hadn't done this, but at the same time it was remarkable. The views were undescribable and the challenge was amazing. I finally got to the top of the trail and told myself that there was no way I was getting up here without summitting, which was another few hundred feet up and about 1/2, but the trail was covered with snow and unfollowable. So I just started working my way up crashing through the drifts and occasionally folling through only stopping at my hips and getting cut up by the hidden rocks and trees. I finally reached the pinnacle and stopped to eat and just chill at 10261 ft! I just relaxed and took it all in. Got kind of lost on my way back to the main trail, but finally found it. Had to carefully work my way back down the mountain as to not fall (which would have dropped me straight off the cliffs) - only had a few slips and was able to grab some bushes and rocks as to prevent a serious problem. Eventually got back to Oak Grove and strated back on the dirt road back to the Jeep. Finally after 4:45 minutes and 21.5 miles (including a seven mile progression down Oak Grove 7:00 - 6:00) I was finished. Got into the stream and drank a lot of water and gatorade and kind of releved in what I had just done. Didn't quite the mileage I wanted, but there was no way to run on top with the snow and my legs were way too beat up to add anything on at the end; no big deal though. (Landreth 830.25)
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