Kendall

Grove Creek 1:06:37--PR!

45:29 up / 21:08 down 

2,300 elevation gain.

Wasatch Trail Run Series

My second race (third of season) up in Corner Canyon with the Wasatch Trail Run Series races. Fun little race--I'm enjoying these more than I thought I would. Today's race was 3 laps of the shorter "5K" course with about 475 ft in elevation on each loop for a total of 7.66 miles and 1,424 total elevation gain.

RD "Mitt" mixed up the course again this week: 3 short loops with some elevation. From the start, pulled back on the up hill (about as fast as I can go anyway) pushing the downhill to around the 6:30 mm. Passed a few guys at about the 1 mile mark who went out too fast and then just held my spot, passing maybe 2 other guys on the last lap but no one passed me. Felt like I was running alone for until passing some of the slower "5K" group coming down on my second lap. Held steady pace most of the race--legs a bit tired from Monday's PR in Grove Creek where I really slammed the downhill section. Came close to catching two more guys at the finish but couldn't close the gap. Love these corner canyon single track trails.

Results not posted yet and really don't care that much. Just having some fun[post-date: 7th].

$15 fee includes a nice little raffle at the end where I picked up a nice Salomon t-shirt.

PS...wore my Brooks road shoe "Launch" on the smooth trails. Really liked the minimal, light feel of this shoe. May have to try some minimalist trail shoe--loving the feel of a lighter shoe.

Grove Creek - Battle Creek (2,400 ft elevation)

Parked at Battle Creek ran on the BST (?) to Grove Creek up to the Meadow and down Battle. Lackluster run but good to get out out--tired legs, tired body, tired boy. Highlight was the shave ice after the run.

6 fast(ish) miles on the treadmill. Was actually a nice break and good to get the legs turning over. Been really tired putting in some tough miles. 

PFEIFFERHORN (9.96 miles, 4,137 elevation gain)

Started my day at Wasatch Running with a new pair of Brooks minimalist(ish) shoe Pure Grit II. For the last week or so I've been running with my roadies, Brooks Launch on the trail and have loved the lighter feel. Tried a few pair before settling with Pure Grit. A bit about the shoe first. Love the feel and light weight BUT not a great shoe on the rock/snow. Not the shoe's fault, I'm assuming that's not what their made for. Great summer trail shoe but I'll have to go back to the Cascadia's for a more solid, grippy, snow, mud, rock shoe. I really didn't know what I was in for today but hiking in the snow was somewhat challenged by this shoe.

I asked the boys at Wasatch about the Pfeiffer and if they knew anyone who'd been up this season. I received a unanimous "don't do it-too much snow." So of course I did it anyway.

Been anxious to get up there--love this hike/run. Started at Red Pine trailhead. smooth sailing for first couple of miles, surprisingly hitting first snow at only the 7,700 ft level. At 8,000+ (2.5 mi) after bridge to Maybird the snow got deeper and after 1/2 mile it was all snow.

Heading up to Red Pine Lake

 Red Pine Lake, still partially frozen.

Still not sure what to expect heading up to the ridge and whether I'd be able to get up on Pfeifferhorn. In some respects it was easier going up the snow rather than the usual rock hopping. Lots of run-off and water everywhere.

Heading up the ridge. 

Once to the ridge and on to the other side, the snow wasn't as deep. The knife ridge leading to the Pfeiffer wasn't too bad at all and mostly exposed rock.

Traveling up to the Pfeiffer was able to stay off snow and on dirt all the way to the top. Perfect day--warm, peaceful and nobody around. 2:15 to the top. Stayed for half an hour and headed back down (1:35 down).