Summer solstice on FS 381 and the east slopes of Mt. Rosa

I like to do a long run around the summer solstice each year. The long hours of daylight make it the most enjoyable time of year for me. In previous years, I've done the Bottomless Pit on Pikes Peak or other similar high-altitude adventures. 

At this time, the road up North Cheyenne Cañon is closed to vehicles, so I opted to do the classic Mt. Rosa loop, starting from the bottom of the canyon.

My day did not end up quite like that! But I still netted almost 23 miles and over 4800 feet elevation gain, so I would call that a success, even if I didn't quite reach the summit of Rosa. (I was about 1000 vertical feet short, which is so close yet so far.)

I started out just after 5 am on Tuesday, June 22nd, near the Starsmore Nature Center.

Views on the N. Cheyenne Cañon road at sunup.

It was a treat getting to see the sun come up while ascending the road.

I've run on the road in the canyon many many times before. I used to run on it after work at the bagel shop in my younger years. (Usually, I would run up on the Columbine trail and run down the road.) At that time, the population of Colorado Springs was significantly less and this wasn't as dangerous of an endeavor.

It has been several years since I've run on the road itself, and I am glad I took this opportunity to do so without vehicles!

My effort felt very athletic, in the cool morning air with a smooth uphill climb. I was soon at the top of the canyon, where the new parking lot with designated spaces is.

I continued onto the dirt road and jogged at a decent effort to the St. Mary's Falls split.

On the way, I bypassed a huge washout with tons of fun rocks. I have actually scrambled up this class 3-ish slope before. It is a fun thing to do, but not today! I had a goal in mind!

At the top of the paved road segment of my run. 

The class 3-ish washout slope that provides a fun practice scramble (not today though!)

Sunrise over N. Cheyenne Cañon and the St. Mary's Falls sign at the split. 

I continued to the right at the split and into the fresh, green and gorgeous canyon.

Words don't exist to explain how fresh the air was and how deeply scented the forest was, with morning dew shimmering on every green surface. This was the first real highlight of my day. I focused my breath and was overwhelmed with joy.

The forest, the trail, and dewdrops on a flower.

The St. Mary's Falls trail, dewdrops on leaves, and a tiny tree that smelled just like Christmas.

I soon ascended out of the canyon and hit the sun. At this point, I reached the split where the St. Mary's Falls trail goes to the left, and the Mt. Rosa trail to the right. I skipped the Falls detour and went right towards Rosa.

I wanted to save time for one specific detour that I'd had in mind when I planned this route. Soon after a large rock outcropping, there is a trail split that leads down to the river, not far off the main trail.

I'd visited this spot many years ago (maybe 15 years ago) on my very first Mt. Rosa attempt as a young 20-something. At that time, there were trout swimming in a little pool below a small waterfall.

Little did I know that making this detour would set me off course. (More on that later.)

Green, green, green even everywhere! Trail and ground cover.

A campsite after the trail split to the creek, a small footbridge and a pool where I'd seen fish many years ago.

I peered at the little waterfall pool, but no fish were to be spotted today.

I headed back up the short hill and turned back to the west, on what I thought was the Mt. Rosa trail. At the time, I didn't know that the trail I was intending to get back on was actually a little further than the split I'd just taken.

My memory of the Mt. Rosa trail was a little fuzzy since it had been a few years. I kept going through green-carpeted forest and gradually uphill until I popped out somewhere... somewhere that I knew was wrong. I could tell I was on Forest Service Rd 381, which intersects with the Mt. Rosa trail, but after consulting my GPS, I was much further south on the road than I was supposed to be. At least a mile or more off course, plus the additional mile it would take to get back on course, I realized I was running out of time for this adventure. I wouldn't have time to ascend the full summit of Rosa today.

Nonetheless, I topped out a small sub-summit of Rosa that I was near, and got some photos of the interesting rock outcroppings off of FS 381. I was at nearly 10,500 feet of elevation, which was close enough to see the summit of Rosa clearly, but not close enough to reach its 11,500 foot peak.

I enjoyed a short additional jog along FS 381, taking in the sweeping views of the valley between Mt. Rosa to the west and Cheyenne Mountain to the east, complete with antenna farm - where I was at on my last adventure!

Top: The true summit of Mt. Rosa, less than a mile to the west but 1000 feet up. Bottom: The central strip of mountains that includes St. Peter's Dome (center-left outcropping of photo.)

Rock outcroppings at a sandy sub-summit of Mt. Rosa, along FS 381.

FS 381 outcroppings panorama. 

After I'd gathered some views, it was time to turn around. I descended the wonderland of a trail, bypassing small waterfalls and green stream beds.

I stopped and peeked over the big rock outcropping on the way down. 

Some clouds began to build over to the west, giving a little respite from the burning sun.

As I descended from the canyon, I actually looked forward to my downhill run on the road. I had turned around at approximately 10 miles in, planning on a 20-mile day. I flew down the road (safely), setting my fastest mile of the day in mile 19 during my descent.

When I arrived at the base of North Cheyenne Cañon at the closed road, my husband wasn't there to pick me up yet, so I continued on towards Bear Creek Park, utilizing the bike lane and the sidewalks along 21st street, adding just one more hill to my workout 😀! This bonus mileage gave me another almost 3 miles, ending the day at nearly 23 miles. And I felt strong even at the end!!

Despite my directional error and missing the true summit of Rosa, I'd seen a new part of the mountains, and had a successful training run. What more can a happy trail runner ask for?

The day after my run, Wednesday June 23rd, I rode an hour on my exercise bike and felt good for the cross-training.

Then; on Thursday, I got up and did a short morning recovery run, netting 10k mileage with 600 feet elevation in Palmer Park.

Palmer Park 10k recovery run on Thursday, June 24th.

Combined with another hour on the exercise bike Thursday evening, I feel ready for the next long one already. I feel strong and my endurance is up. Maybe it's time for planning a 50k or so? I am tentatively thinking something in the 30-mile range will be my next run, although it'll probably be a flat one.

It's summer and I never want to stop!

Daily Exercise Logs: Thursday, June 10th, 2021, through Wednesday, June 16th, 2021

 ***

Thursday, June 10th:

Despite my 15 mile run yesterday, I still decided to do two exercises very well. I think I did about 6 or 7 sets per each exercise, but it could be even more. I just kept going on these two exercises until those muscles were fairly fatigued.

* Barbell deadlifts 

* Barbell overhead press

I've been meaning to do deadlifts for a while, but I delayed because I didn't want to be too fatigued on my Cheyenne Mountain day. I find it difficult to maintain my goal running mileage *and* have a good leg lifting routine.

***

Friday, June 11th:

I walked about 4 miles, plus some extra later on, while waiting for Alex in his appointment. Walking is great cross-training as an easy day off from running.

***

Saturday, June 12th:

Walked about 2 miles with the kids and Alex in Fox Run Park.

I did an evening run after we got home, a standard 8-and-a-quarter mile loop with about 700 feet elevation.

***

Sunday, June 13th:

Took the kids for a walk/ climb again, it is good for them to get some more exercise and practice at climbing also!

We did about a mile on the UCCS bluffs (my alma mater), and did some fun rock scrambling and got some sunset photos.

Then I used the yoga swing to do inclined pushups with the lowest handles, going from the negative all the way up into a full press (almost a chest fly, since the mechanics of the yoga swing allow a more full contraction than a standard pushup.)

***

Monday, June 14th:

I did a road half-marathon training run (plus a little), ending with over 13 and a half miles, almost all pavement. It was tough. Possibly cumulative fatigue. Also, 1200 feet elevation gain - which is nothing for us in Colorado, but still something!! I'll be trying to take it easy on my next run. However, my ankle, which has plagued me for years since the big injury almost three years ago, is really feeling a lot better even after all the pavement pounding. Maybe I've finally turned a corner on that. Even tough runs have things to teach us!

***

Tuesday, June 15th:

Gym day, I did three exercises, trying to do as many sets of each as I could. I am able to push a little more with my upper body exercises than my lower body ones. I guess, despite being a runner, I need to work legs in the weightroom more often!

* Machine chest press

* Kettlebell curls

* Kettlebell sumo deadlifts 

Again lacking in core strength; I'll make it a priority next time.

***

Wednesday, June 16th:

We did an evening walk with the kids at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. A couple miles with a trip to the overlook. 

I did do a few sets of leg raises on the yoga swing, from the "up" dip position (not hanging position). This was so I could do some core work on an easy day. I need to do more still, but we all do what we can. I might not have the perfect set of abs, but at least I'm trying my best to improve my posture over time and hope that it will gradually help my running, too.

Dancing between the rocks and the sky on the Dragon's Backbone

 Good morning and greetings from Cheyenne Mountain State Park!

Cheyenne Mountain in the distance ahead with the early morning alpenglow on its slopes.

I started my run on Wednesday (June 9th), just before sunrise around 5:30am from the Limekiln Trailhead.

Immediately once the sun rose, the heat began. The air felt sticky and warm from all the rain we have had recently. The trailhead is at fairly low elevation for our area (6000 feet), so the flora are a combination of high desert plants and montane forest vegetation.

And it was all so green!!!

I started out on the Talon trail. The trails at Cheyenne Mountain State Park are all color-coded and have GPS trail markers with the name and color of the trail, which makes them really easy to follow.

Soon the sun was shining on the rocky hillside ahead of me, where I was headed.

The wildflowers were bursting with color, and even the weeds along the trail were pretty.

Talon trail mainly trends south, following the ridgeline and gradually ascending through the meadow into the forest. I continued onto the North Talon trail, watching the mountain getting closer. North Talon heads due west.

Once in the forest, the wildflowers were abundant! They carpeted the ground with color, mainly florescent blue and bright violet. The camera couldn't even accurately pick up how colorful the flowers were.

The North Talon trail ascends at a steady rate, joining the Dixon trail on the south ridge of Cheyenne Mountain. At this point, you turn north.

At the start of the Dixon trail, the signs warn that you're now entering the wilderness and to be cautious and prepared for the possibility of encountering wild animals.

Dixon trail begins the real climb up the mountain. Although it gains significant elevation, the trail is smooth and well-crafted, with dozens of switchbacks. It reminded me of the Ws on Barr trail.

Soon the views to the south opened up. It is too bad that the air was a little hazy, perhaps because of high winds yesterday. Normally, on a clear day, you can see the Crestones and Humboldt Peak. I was only able to see the Sangres and Greenhorn Mountain, and even those mountains were a bit hazy.

Everything was so green!!

The first views to the south from Dixon trail.

Soon I'd arrived to the point on Dixon trail where bikes and equestrians are required to stop. There was a nice log that was placed by the trail creators so that multisport athletes can tie up their bikes and continue on foot.

Dixon trail continues ascending the mountain, and opens up to a gorgeous meadow near the top, with aspens showing their bright green leaves.

Near this point, there was the site of an airplane crash. Allow me to preface this by saying: I am not searching the Pikes Peak region for airplane crashes! I didn't even know I would encounter this today. But somehow, I've seen airplane crash sites on two adventure runs in a row.

1957 crash site and informational sign.

Beautiful green meadow with an aspen grove to the left.

Soon after the meadow, I turned off the Dixon trail onto the Dragon's Backbone.

This trail was a scramble! It was super rocky and involved a decent amount of route scouting. However, the signage is quite superior - that is why I say route "scouting" and not route "finding." The route is already found and marked, you just have to scout ahead a few meters to see the markers.

The views to the south were really getting good! Too bad the day was so hot and hazy.

The view to the south from the beginning of Dragon's Backbone. 

The marker points to the trail! A little bit of a climb here. The radio tower farm atop Cheyenne Mountain is lurking in the background.

Some of the rocky outcroppings and views from Dragon's Backbone. 

I really enjoyed the scrambling actually (I love rock hopping!) But I was beginning to run out of time. I knew I wouldn't have enough time to get to the viewpoint at Robbers Roost, even though I was within a half mile. It was just taking me too long! I might have had enough time if I'd continued running on the mountaintop through the aspen meadow and gone to the viewpoint that way. But I was happy with my route choice for the day. I continued to the next major outcropping and got a panorama before turning around. 

Cliff top panorama. This is not Robbers Roost, but close enough! 

Top: The viewpoint I was at was marked with a Geographical Survey marker that simply said "CLIFF." Bottom: You can see part of the Dragon's spine that inspired the trail name.

After scrambling back alone the Dragon's Backbone to the Dixon trail, my descent was smooth and fast. I felt like I was jogging right down Barr trail, flying down switchbacks and rolling right along. I still enjoyed how full of blue flowers the whole forest was! What an amazing spring in the southern Front Range. 

When I reached the Talon trail, I snuck a glance back at Cheyenne Mountain from where I'd just been. What a cool run! I can't wait to return with more time and run the whole Mountain Loop trail and get to see Robbers Roost lookout. 

The view back at Cheyenne Mountain ⛰  in the bright sunlight.

After I met with my husband and kids, we took the rest of the day and visited the Royal Gorge. It was a great fun day to go and see the Arkansas River rushing through the canyon.

What an all-in-all great day!

I got 15 miles and 3500 feet elevation. I'd recommend the Talon/ Dixon trails as a good training run that is similar in time and effort to a Barr Camp trip.

This summer is shaping up to be a good one!! Can't wait to share more!

Daily Exercise Logs: Tuesday, June 1st through Monday, June 7th 2021

***

Tuesday, June 1st:

Tonight's evening run was 10 miles, mostly quiet neighborhood streets, with about 3 miles of trail. About 1100 feet of elevation gain, so not insignificant. It all adds up!

***

Wednesday, June 2nd:

Strength training day! My stated goal after my last strength day was to do core and leg exercises. Today I did 5 sets each of:

* Yoga trapeze dip hold leg raises. Basically, use the middle handles to elevate into the "up" portion of a dip, engage the triceps, and then do leg raises. Combination of a static hold exercise for the upper body (traps/ triceps) and a core exercise with the leg raises.

* Weighed lunges, 20 each set, with 15 lb dumbbells (total of 30 lbs x 100 reps).

* Put the dumbbells down and grip them on the ground for a slightly elevated pushup. Keep the core engaged.

***

Thursday, June 3rd:

4 miles walk with the kids at Spruce Meadows at sunset. Beautiful views and cool fresh air. By the end, my son was complaining how tired he was, but he survived! 

Wildflowers were abundant! 

After the walk, I headed out on my evening run. Standard route, Rock Island Trail east, flat and "fast" for the most part. The last two miles, I started to feel a bit crashy and had to push harder, and even still my pace fell. I figured that this was partly because of the walking miles before the run. 8 miles run, total 12 miles for the day.

***

Friday, June 4th:

5 sets each of:

* Barbell bicep curls.

* Standing machine straight-arm pulldown. 

***

Saturday, June 5th:

Sets to failure of:

* Machine butterfly

* Machine full-body row

I am trying to pull back a little this weekend on the exercise, as I might be able to do a long one on Monday (tentative.)

In any case, I figure doing two exercises a day for two days in a row, but doing both very well, can be as or more beneficial than doing 4 or more exercises each session.

***

Sunday, June 6th:

We decided to explore a little this evening and drove up to Cheeseman Reservoir. The drive up went quickly and the lake was beautiful at sunset. We did do a short walk at the shoreline of the Goose Creek arm of the reservoir.

Bell Rock, off of Highway 67.

My son and I by the riverbank.

My husband and our kids by the South Platte River.

Some sights near Cheeseman Reservoir, including a big bird of prey we spotted overlooking the road in a dead tree.

Another gorgeous Colorado sunset! At Cheeseman Reservoir. 

***

Monday, June 7th:

Decided to put off my longer run for Wednesday. Instead, I did an early morning jog that ended up being a little more than 7 miles, with a little more than 800 feet elevation. I saw a shooting star 🌠  with a really long tail in the pre-dawn sky, just before the birds started singing.

***

Next is a longer adventure on Wednesday! Taking a rest day on Tuesday.

May 2021 Update

This month went by quickly!!

To summarize, I'm now over 740 miles into the training year. This is exactly where I should be, and I'm feeling on track for 1700 miles for the year and possibly even a "reach" goal of 1800.

As you know, I had my first planned long run of the year in the Rampart Range, and I am so excited to plan for more big adventures.

Just a quick programming note - while I liked the concept of doing a daily exercise log, it seems a little overwhelming for my blog, so I think I will knock it back to weekly updates that are composed of multiple daily exercise dairy entries all in one post. This will reduce the amount of posts and make it seem less spammy, while still allowing me to log the details of my daily runs and lifting.

Since the road up North Cheyenne Cañon is still closed to vehicles, planning a long run in this area before the road re-opening may be a priority for me.

Aside from that, things are going swimmingly. I look forward to a summer filled with hope and outdoor fun!