Mueller Park

Jesse and Josh on the way up.

Mueller Park is one of the best trails for beginners. It is located just south-east of the Bountiful Temple. This morning I found myself leading two new trail runners. Jesse is not new to the OTM world, having been on our annual beard campout (somehow not growing a beard I might add) twice. However, this was his first time running any trails. Why has it taken so long? Also accompanying us was Josh. I met him last week at a work party, where he mentioned something about having viewed my blogpost on the Buffalo Run 50 Miler. We talked running for a short time. He mentioned a few of the races he'd competed in, so I asked him when we were going to run together. I was already planning on doing the Mueller Park loop, a possible 13ish miles.

Tiny Me on Elephant Rock

Josh was hesitant to agree to a 1/2 marathon trail run, just for fun, but seemed interested. However, his wife, my co-worker, quickly chimed in "that's a great idea." So, like it or not Josh was committed. And he should be grateful to have such a supportive wife of such crazy endeavors. We decided to meet at the bottom of the Mueller Park trail head and shuttle around to North Canyon (why is it not the south?) to start. On the way over, Josh and Jesse both talked about how they had biked the trail several times and were a little worried about how steep the initial assent might be. After running about a mile I was beginning to wonder when the trail got steep. Of course, when the word steep is used I compare everything to Mt. Olympus. In this regard, Mueller Park is never steep. Jesse and Josh did great.

Jesse and Josh crusin' down.

After about 2.5 miles we hit Rudy's Flats and were basically done with our assent. We picked up the pace and cruised over to Elephant Rock, taking a short break. We passed several other trail runners and a lot of bikers. It wasn't that much of a hassle, but we were definitely not alone. At one point I blinked and then suddenly one of the trail runners we had passed on his way up was flying on his way down. He smoked us. 

We had a fun morning and I think I got them hooked. Once you leave the road for the trail you'll never go back. Maybe next time we'll do the full loop. When I was shuttling Jesse back to his car at our starting point in North Canyon I noticed a lot of people running along the road. I don't know why any of them would run along the road when they have virtually instant access to trails. I'd give almost anything to live that close to the mountains--to be able to walk out my front door and run a trail every day. They don't know what they're missing. But that's ok, less people on the trail is ok with me.

Map of the Mueller Park loop.

Lewis Peak with First-Time Phil

This week I ran Lewis peak with Fast, Frolicking, Fartlekin, First-Time Phil.  He's never done a trail run with any kind of significant vertical, but he's a pretty tough guy, and just ran his first half marathon 4 days prior, so I figured he'd do well.  He didn't dissapoint.   Dude kept up the entire time and even pushed me to run faster a few times.

To get there from the North Ogden Divide , you pass over (or slightly around) Eyrie Peak.  Eyrie Peak is actually a little taller than Lewis, but  Lewis just has a more prominent view of the Ogden Valley.  So this means that after the initial 2.5 miles to Eyrie, the trail turns into a quarter mile running down, then quarter mile running up, then quarter mile running down... for the next 3 miles.  The total is about a net gain of 2,000' vertical, but almost 3,000' gross vertical

We started right at dawn (5:40ish) so we wouldn't need headlamps.  On that note... This is the best time of the year to run.  Early sunrise.  Cool morning air.   Everything is still green.  Wildflowers are everywhere.  We had to powerhike up most of the initial 2.5 miles, but after Eyric peak, it was nearly unbroken running to the summit and down.  We made pretty good time too.  For the last mile coming down, I let off the brake and just let my legs roll.  I'm usually not too fast running down hill.  I've been working on that while I've been doing my weekly run of  Adams Canyon, and it has helped a lot with my downhill speed.  I ran that last mile sub 7 minutes and felt great. 

The final words of the run came out of Phil's mouth as he got back to the trailhead.  "That was the hardest 10 miles I've ever run."   But one day later he says he's ready to go do it again... and faster.

On a final note:  The trail conditions were perfect.  We passed a few patches of snow, but none of it was on the trail.  Nice and dry the whole way.

Lewis Peak map and statistics from North Ogden Divide Trailhead





Phil running the last quarter mile.





Phil playing Summit Rock Band



Frolicking through the Flowers

Jens Carter making his way up to the Ave. Twins.

I grew up in the Salt Lake Valley and always had the Wasatch Mountains in my view. My family frequented Big Cottonwood Canyon at least once a year, usually on Labor Day. As a youth I developed a deep love for the mountains working for the Boy Scouts up Millcreek Canyon. However, not until now have I truly started to take full advantage of what the Wasatch Mountains have to offer.

Map of the Ave. Twin Peaks above the Avenues in Salt Lake City.

As a trail runner, I am constantly looking for the next trail to run or the next peak to bag. I never knew there were so many peaks so easily accessible. The Avenue Twins are only a few miles away from the parking lot and have an elevation just over 6000'. They can be summitted year round. Many of the Wasatch Wranglers have bagged them numerous times in the last few months, leaving me feeling despondent for two reasons. First, I'd never even heard of them before and second, it's taken me a long time to actually bag them for the first time after knowing how accessible they were.

Jens, with the peaks in the background.

Trail Monkey on South Twin,
North Twin in the background.

Me, amid the awesome flowers.

This was Jens' second trail run and I believe his first time bagging peaks. We completed nine miles in just over two hours. He is shaping up quite nicely for a short guy. :) Just as I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy running through the winter, I enjoyed mother nature's natural beauty found in the first flowers of May.

Solo run up Ben Lomond

Over the last two years, Ben Lomond has become one of my favorite peaks.  Once all the snow has melted in early summer it is possible to ride a dirt bike all the way to the summit.  And while I'm not much of a dirt biker, that fact does prove that the entire thing is run-able  both up and down the entire trail.   All totaled up, you get 16 miles of running along one of the most beautiful ridgelines in the wasatch mountains.  And I should also throw in that you are all but certain to see a herd of mountain goats.

For whatever reason though, there always seems to be a lack of foot traffic along the trail.  Perhaps it's too far north for most people.  Perhaps it is the fact that the trail is shared with dirt bikes (not currently).  All I know is that I would run this trail just about every week if I had the opportunity.

For my first attempt of the year at Lomond, I tackled it solo. The trail conditions were fair.  There were a good number of snow fields that covered the trail, and almost zero proof of human footprints on those fields. Most of those areas were on the southwest corner between miles 2 and 4.  After mile 4 you pass over onto the west side of the ridge, where the running is spectacular, After passing the mountain goats and then the junction at mile 6.5 that drops down to Liberty, I tried to push for the summit.  I made it about half of the remaining mile and a half before the snow got too deep and too steep.  After sinking through the soft snow up to my hip a couple times, I stopped and looked up the 40 degree incline, realizing that I didn't have the time it would take to plow my way up.  As I'm standing there, in my earphone I hear an android voiced message sent from Sam, who had been watching my progress on Endomondo, "That's my kind of trail... straight up."  I laughed out loud and then turned back, loving every minute of the 7.25 miles back to the car.

Not a perfect run, and certainly not the fastest, but still very, very enjoyable.  I'll be back in 3 or 4 weeks to try again.

Just prior to the "hip-sinking" summit push.

Mountain Goat looking at me funny. I've seen mountain
goats 4 out of the last 5 times up this trail.

In this snow field, there were moose and bobcat tracks,
but only one faint set of human tracks.

Ben Lomond from North Ogden Divide map and stats.

I thought I was a Trail Runner...

OTM basking in the sunlight on Malan's peak.

About four years ago Steve and I were starting to hike together regularly. Many times normal people would ask if they could come along. It was then that we realized we should start calling ourselves trail runners, because we were going a lot faster than normal people. Since then we have increased our distance and intensity of trail running. I have learned some of the names of the elite trail runners and only dream about being in the same race as them, but finishing much later. I'm just not that fast and I may never be.

Elder Jewkes (Me) and Elder Wight (Justin).

This morning I was able to hang with one of these elite runners, Justin Wight. Haven't heard of him? Well, you will. I actually met Justin as Elder Wight about 11 years ago in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela. He was my first Zone Leader and was very inspiring. We were never companions but had a good friendship that has lasted through the years. After several years of life taking its natural course we lost contact. Also, we found ourselves trail running but not knowing that the other was too.







 About a month ago we reconnected and set a date to run together. We decided to do the Malan's peak trail, which is close to Justin's house. While discussing our running adventures I was informed of his impressive under-three-hour marathon time. As we started to climb the steep trail I had to stop and power hike. All trail runners do right? Nope, not Justin. He walked about a 1/2 mile with me before he kindly asked if he could keep running on. "Of course," I replied. Anyway, he was a speed demon, making it to the top then coming back down to encourage me the rest of the way. I was just happy to be able to lick the dust off his feet. I thought I was a trail runner.

Justin Wight, the elite trail runner everyone will someday know as soon as he runs a trail race.
Malan's Peak with Ben Lomond in the background.

Me on Malan's peak with Ogden in the background.

 Finally, I got to run with an elitist. He happens to be a good friend too. I may never run with or as fast as other trail running greats. But today I did. On a side note, six weeks have now passed since the 50 miler and I feel like I'm finally getting my legs back under me and my injuries under control. We did 10 miles of trail in 2:20:05 with almost 3000 ft. vertical gain. My runner's knee is a little sore, but I have no IT band pain.

Map of Malan's peak and BST wanderings in Ogden.

A New Recruit

A buddy in my neighborhood recently signed up for his first 1/2 marathon. His decision couldn't have come at a better time for me. I had just finished the 50 miler and was unable to run at all for about three weeks. While discussing race preparations with Jens Carter, my buddy, I have tried to remember when six miles was a far distance to run, or even three. Helping him train this past month has been very beneficial for me because I needed to ease back into running. When considering running only three miles I almost think "That's not even worth going out." But my injuries demanded it. So, for the past six weeks I've run no more than four miles a week. I have biked to work at least twice a week putting on about 50 miles.

Jens, about one mile in.

Jens and I have been speed training once a week. He asked me about a week ago when we were going to hit the trails. So last night we ran the BST starting at City Creek. The farthest Jens had ever ran was six miles. This week's goal was seven. It was his first trail run and he did awesome. The BST from City Creek has a good climb for the first 3/4 mile but after that it's mostly flat, which makes it a great trail to start on. I think Jens could have gone farther but there's no need to push all the limits at once. He's started down the path of trail running and hopefully we'll get to run together a lot more often this summer.

We got to see a spectacular sunset.

Map of the BST - Bonneville Shorline Trail via City Creek.