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RMNP - Boulder Brook toward Long's Peak with CA

September 26, 2015 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 60-80F.

Comments:
Slept in WAY more than planned. I could NOT fall asleep 'til after midnight last night. It SUCKED. Not sure why, but I think altitude played a part (and drinking & eating too late). Didn't leave Nick's til 8 and didn't get into the park and onto the trails til 10 (after a crazy-packed stop at Starbz in Estes Park).

Nick gave us a map and a proposed big loop route in Rocky Mtn National Park, which included a possible Long's Peak bag. So we parked in a packed lot and hit the trail with hydration packs. Forecast was to be pretty warm...

We're only 14 days out from MRTR, so MAF pace was the idea today...but that's tough when the starting altitude is 8500' (Escarpment!). So we hiked...nearly the WHOLE way up, nearly 6 miles. It was a fantastic route though: along a rushing creek through aspens, then into conifers, then gradually past tree line into nothing but rocks! And it was beautiful and incredibly mild: warm, and little wind! WOW

CA and I hiked and chatted, and only saw a few people, and we didn't care about the slow going.

Made it to Granite Pass, about 3.3 mi from the top of Long's, and like 12:30...not enough time for a summit. So we turned back after a little snack.

Upward: 6 miles, 2h35m, AHR 117
Down: 6 miles, 1h7m, AHR 141

On the way down, it was SUPER-technical, and the effort of quick feet and the high altitude (12500'!!) made us dizzy, QUICK. But we persevered and had fun. But the HR was jacked! Easily 150s and tough to stay in the 160s at points...running downhill! Once in the middle tree line area the tread was way better, then got tech again along the creek.

SO FUN, though! We alternated leading, trying to challenge each other on the technical. REALLY FUN.

3:23 total time (maybe only 10min of stopped watch time). AHR 126! Per tradition, CA and I jumped into (slash laid-down into) the shallow and freezing Boulder Brook stream by the trailhead.

PM: back to Nick's to clean up (after some NASTY traffic in Estes), a little nap, then to Erin's party. I was a bit nervous for CA to meet several of my HS friends (all female friends of Erin's), but it went well. Fun times at a brew pub with an open bar and pretty good restaurant-catered food! And pool and shuffleboard to play. Cool reception style.

Home to Nick's by 10ish. Good day.