Finally back on that Incline (with Sharon) + double crossover of Palmer Park/ UCCS Bluffs

Hello all,

Let me start by saying that I'm glad to have finally gotten back to the mountains after my recovery! Today Sharon and I did the Incline. I attained 38:15, with moderately-difficult effort level. I'm very glad I'm not too far behind.

We took a summit of the Incline photo, first one of the year!

The weather was quite comfortable. For winter, I was satisfied with shorts and a long sleeve shirt. We could see Pikes Peak as we descended the connector to Barr trail.

In classic Colorado style, the summit of the Peak got swallowed in clouds shortly after, making me glad I picked to drive home through Garden of the Gods.

Perhaps I was a little tired on the Incline today, because yesterday I did a Sunday long run, 9 miles in town. I did a double-crossover of two major bluffs in town, Palmer Park and the UCCS bluffs.

I loved this route as a good way to get a lot of climbing in the central city without needing to go to the mountains. Plus the views!!

Starting out in Palmer Park, I climbed directly to Grandview Overlook via the steep trail on the west side of the mesa.

Views at the top of Grandview are always good eye candy.

Next I crossed over the top of the southern mesa of Palmer Park, descending through Greencrest and coming to the northwest corner of the park at Union & Austin Bluffs, where the Templeton Gap trail crosses underneath the intersection via pedestrian tunnel.

From here, it's a fast uphill jog on the sidewalk through campus until you reach the small trail at the base of the UCCS bluffs. There's a stairway that indicates the start of the trail.

I often hiked this short trail up the bluffs while I was on breaks between classes here at UCCS, my alma mater.

From the top of this second bluff in town, I could easily see over to Grandview Overlook, where I'd started the day.

I love the workout station atop the bluffs. Considering how often I run to the station just like this one in Monument Valley Park, this one has much better views.

I then descended the bluffs, crossing through the UCCS campus. This informative sign on the UCCS campus was really neat (I am familiar with all these mountain names because I like to seek their summits!)

A perfect winter midtown jog, showcasing the best views of the mountains from town.

Next weekend, I hope to be back on Barr trail and back in the mountains. What a mild winter we're having, and it feels good to be outside.