The call of the high mountains - My birthday run & Mount Rosa winter summit attempt

Good evening!

Yes, as of yesterday, I am officially a year older (and hopefully wiser.)

For my birthday, I usually like to celebrate with a long run. (Much how every holiday is a drinking holiday for drinkers, every celebration is a running day for runners, haha!)

In previous years, I've done things like run 30 miles (on the Front Range Trail), or summit Pikes Peak (in a low-snow year).

This year, we've had a decent amount of snow in the mountains lately, but it's been a few days since the last big storm. I guessed that the more popular local trails would probably be somewhat packed down, and I have been hearing the call of Mount Rosa.

I planned to go up Rosa on the standard route from N. Cheyenne Cañon and then descend to Frosty's Park and return to town via Old Stage Road.

Since the paved road up N. Cheyenne Cañon is currently closed for renovations, the plan was to drive up to the top parking lot from Gold Camp Road. However, right where the dirt section of Gold Camp Road begins, there was a huge ice slick. I felt safer on foot with my nanospikes than I did in a vehicle, so my journey began about 2.5 miles earlier than I anticipated. No problem 😊! Easy bonus mileage tacked onto the front side of this run.

The morning skies opened up to sunlight as I jogged at a comfortable, all-day pace up the road.

Soon I'd arrived at the virtually-empty parking lot at the top. I continued on up the trail, which was fairly snowpacked with crunchy, grippy snow.

A runner passed by me and I was able to chat briefly with him. As it turns out he has been living in the Pikes Peak region for even longer than I have, and has a great knowledge of the local trails. It was nice to meet Peter! Our paths quickly diverged, however, as I split off towards St. Mary's Falls Trail.

The trail continued to be in excellent condition, fully packed down but not icy.

I felt like I was making progress at a good pace, although I could tell I was a lot slower than when I last did this climb, on Labor Day Weekend last year. Of course, winter trails are inherently more challenging. 

When I came to the big rock outcropping above the falls, I figured I'd scramble up the side and grab a view. Then it was back to the lovely, snowy trail in the fresh winter mountain air.

The snow underneath the trail did get thicker as I ascended. It became a little more challenging to find my footing, as I sunk in a little more with each step. 

I came quickly upon the crossing with the off-road vehicle road, FS #381. I had considered taking this way back down after the summit, but when I saw that the road was filled with completely untouched snow, I decided against it. My nanospikes are great for pre-packed trails, but not helpful at all for post-holing through untouched trails.

After the Mt. Rosa route crosses FS 381, it turns off quickly to the west and ascends toward Rosa's big, flat northern saddle. This part of the climb was slow but steady until I reached the saddle.

At the saddle, I was instantly greeted by awesome views to the west and north. Mt. Rosa's taller western neighbor, Almagre, was in full view, with the south face of Pikes Peak to the north.

Panorama from the saddle below Mt. Rosa's summit.

It was after this point when I encountered the truly deep snow. The wind kicked up and chilled me right through, but I was determined to press on.

I kept stepping through the drifts, sinking in to my mid-calf on every step. This would be a slow half-mile to the summit. Suddenly, the drift gave way, and I was up to my hip in snow. I pulled my leg out and tried again. I took three steps, then broke through again.

My fun-meter was getting quickly depleted.

Between the relentless wind and the deep snow, I took a look at Mt. Rosa's summit less than a half-mile away and decided it was not the day. Furthermore, I had the beginnings of a headache. I surmised that it was likely an effect of being over 11,000 feet. Although extremely rare for me, headaches can happen to anyone at higher altitudes, without any real reason.

If I had pressed on, it would have been an extremely slow half-mile. 

Time to know my limits and turn around!

Mount Rosa had eluded me again! I was reminded of a few years ago, when Bailey and I had done the Mount Rosa "standard loop" and been within a few hundred feet of the summit when deep snow turned us back.

Even though I've stood atop Mount Rosa's summit at least a half-dozen times, today would not be one of those times.

Instead, I had a short break at the saddle and took in the view of Almagre and Pikes Peak. I opened my PeakFinder app on my phone and saw that Longs Peak was visible to the north on this clear day. I could make out its distinctive ridgeline in the far distance. 

However, after only a few minutes, my fingers were getting frozen, even with gloves on. I knew I'd feel better after I descended from the saddle, since the wind is always far worse on this exposed ridge.

I returned to the junction and took trail 672 down towards Frosty's Park. I immediately felt that going this way was the right decision. 672 was well-trekked in, and I was making excellent time on the downhill in the soft snow.

Soon I arrived at Frosty's Park, where I took a few minutes to soak up the very warm sun in the wind-free mountain meadow.

Top: Trail 672 was a snowy playground! Bottom: The warm meadow at Frosty's Park. 

Fortunately for me, just this short descent totally cured my headache, so much that I forgot I'd even had one.

I sat on a snow-free patch of grass and ate my snack that I'd intended to have at the summit - a sandwich made of two stroopwafles (the original Dutch ones) with natural peanut butter in the middle. So delicious! It was even better because it was still frozen from the cold air up top. 

I probably could have sat in that meadow all day! But I wasn't done yet - over half my mileage was remaining. Still, I was relaxed and warm, and I felt totally confident about the upcoming 14 or 15 miles of gentle downhill ahead of me.

I've mentioned it before, but my favorite format for a long run is a steep, rapid, rocky ascent to elevation, followed by a long, gradual, runnable descent - preferably on a dirt road or other smoothly-graded trail.

I had only the fun and relaxing part of my run ahead of me now, jogging down FS 379 to Old Stage Road and then back through the National Forest into town.

I'd done this part before, right at the end of November last year, and I'd had a peaceful, serene time. I was quite looking forward to this.

I was happy to see that the snow on FS 379 had been packed in by several vehicles. My nanospikes were perfect for the hard packed snow, gripping right in, even on the icy parts.

I looked back at Rosa, watching the half-moon rise above it.

As I reached Old Stage Road, I could see a clear view back towards Rosa. Her slopes looked so distant! It was hard to believe I'd just come from there.

Top: Half-moon rising above Rosa. Bottom: Glancing back, Rosa is now in the distance on the right-hand side.

A few miles down the road, I began to feel like I was entering a flow state. I was gliding easily over the patches of snow and ice with confidence. I thanked the universe for my opportunity to be here, and for my family, and their support and love.

I've been feeling so good lately that I am amazed, and a little perplexed. I can't remember the last time I've felt so strong both physically and mentally for so many weeks on end. Something is going right!

I will put a quick note in here about my "word of the year." I subscribed to the New York Times' "Well" newsletter at the beginning of this year, and one of the recommendations was to pick a single word that you can use to reflect upon during the year and help inform your actions. I picked the word consistency. This word has served me well already. I am eating a large salad nearly every day, and maintaining my weightlifting workouts. Perhaps the real reason I feel so good lately is consistently trying to practice healthy habits.

I know that we all go through ups and downs in life, and I'm thankful that I've found this place of contentedness. I am hopeful that I can reflect on moments like these when I am faced with hardships in the future.

Back to the run - I continued downhill, bypassing many interesting rock outcroppings and views. I looked at the rock faces and tried to see reasonable ways to climb up them. I imagined what wonders their summit views might hold.

Soon I'd reached Devil's Slide, which is a long, smooth rock on the north side of the road.

Devil's Slide. 

Just around the bend was the parking area for St. Peter's Dome.

And then my favorite part began! After passing the Dome, the road begins to descend more steeply, entering a fairly deep canyon. The temperature immediately fell. Last time I ran this segment, I felt totally at peace. Today, I just felt strong. I was flying downhill easily.

I didn't take any photos during this section, primarily because I was so focused on the run, but also because it isn't the most photogenic segment.

But once I came out of the canyon, I had a great view back from where I'd just been. St. Peter's Dome was prominent in the fading light, as was Mt. Rosa.

Top: St. Peter's Dome is the pointy top on the left side of the photo, Mt. Rosa is the high point in the center. Bottom: Classic rock outcroppings near the National Forest border.

I tackled the small uphill section, passing by some of the classic jagged rocks that greet visitors who are entering the National Forest on Old Stage Road.

When I reached Penrose Blvd, my husband wasn't quite there yet to pick me up, so I ran the extra mile up to the gate at the zoo and back down, which is part of the course of the Run to the Shrine race that I've run in the past.

Between these extra two miles on the tail end, and the extra miles at the start of the day, I got just over 27 miles with almost 5500 feet elevation gain! A full marathon+ for my birthday - what a great way to celebrate another year in this existence, in this wonderful natural world.

I want to thank my husband and children for supporting me and giving me the day to let my spirit be free in the mountains. I also want to thank my parents, who brought me into this world 36 years ago and gave me the best upbringing and foundation possible.

And you, dear reader, thank YOU for taking this journey with me, it was quite a day!