Pipestone River/Skoki

Running a little behind on the posts here. This is a recap of last weekend's run: I first ran this loop a couple of years ago and I was really excited to get back and run it again. Turns out we were a couple of weeks later this year and hit the larches in full glory.

Early River Crossing

The Guidebooks all say that the Pipestone river is boring and should be avoided but honestly I think it is beautiful and seriously underrated. One of the advantages of its bad press is that we didn't see a soul for the first 30 kms.

Pipestone River Valley

It wasn't until we hit Skoki Lodge that we saw our first larch of the day and the next 15kms were a riot of gold and yellow. The section at Skoki Lakes was spectacular with the turquoise water and golden larch.

Fall Colours

All in all a great day out in perfect Fall weather. 50kms of backcountry beauty.

More photos

Molar Pass/Fish Lakes

Wow! I just had another fantastic day in the mountains. On Saturday Brenda, Leslie and I headed up past Lake Louise to run the Mosquito Creek/Molar Pass/Pipestone River/Fish Lakes/North Molar Pass circuit. Once again we had an awesome day and once again the weather was perfect despite the pessimistic forecast.

Molar Pass

We started early and were on the trail by 8AM heading up Mosquito Creek towards the magical land that lies above the treeline. The route has about 7kms that we would cover going in and coming out but after that it was a 40km loop covering all kinds of terrain and going from 2000 meters up to 2300+, down to 1800 and back up to almost 2600.

Hector Glacier

We chose to run the loop counter clockwise which took us over the beautiful Molar Pass and then down into the river valley. Despite some hard to find trail we cruised down Molar Creek towards the Pipestone River. We met 2 hikers coming out and a small horse pack going in but otherwise we were not to see a soul until after Fish Lakes.

The terrain was so varied, from heavily screed passes to thick willowy brush, it was one of those runs that makes you feel like you really did something special.

Brenda & Leslie @ Fish lakes

We actually met a few groups hiking in to Fish Lakes as we were coming out. I was kind of jealous as it would be a really special camping spot.

Leslie Rocking the Downhill

We all seemed to be feeling really strong all day and it was a blast to cruise out over North Molar Pass and back to the car. Another day in Paradise...

North Molar Pass - Heading Home

More photos

Northover Ridge

On Saturday we ran a repeat of one of my absolute favourite runs of last year. Northover Ridge is typically a 3 day backpacking hike with a night at Three Isle Lake and a night at Aster lake. In between the 2 camps you get to cover the whole of Northover Ridge which feels like it is in a totally different world to everything else.

Climbing to Northover Ridge

By running it all in a day you get to leave all the heavy gear at home and cover the whole trip in a day and you don't have to slog up the steep scree with a huge backpack. I felt sorry for all the hikers as we definitely had it easier than them.
The weather was perfect, hot but not too crazy. The blue skies were a little hazy but we didn't even need any extra layers on the ridge it was that warm.

Brenda on Northover Ridge

Looking Back to Three Isle Lake

Last year we ran this in mid-September and there was fresh snow everywhere. It was fun to compare views and see how some of the trail was easier to run snow free while other sections were actually easier last year when we could kick steps to climb to the main ridge.

Northover Lakes

Aster Lake

All in all I had an awesome day running with Brenda and we were back at the car in 8 hours which was identical to our time last year. If you've never experienced Northover Ridge I suggest you mark it down on the "must do" list. Whether you hike or run it's a classic.

More photos

Iron Legs 50 Miler

I have a new favourite race, the Iron legs 50 Miler. Take part of the Powderface course, add in the whole of Jumpingpound Ridge and Cox Hill and finish it off with the boggy, swampy meandering Tom Snow trail and you have yourself an absolutely classic course. At closer to 85kms and with a total elevation gain of about 10,000 feet it's one of those races that you really feel like you've earned, finishing is victory alone.

This was my first 50 mile race although I ran the Blackfoot 50km last year and we've done a lot of fairly long fun runs this year. The weather was blissfully cool and I had gloves on for the 6AM start at Station Flats.

Things felt great right from the get go and pretty soon we were cruising at a steady pace. The first 3 guys went out fairly fast and were out of sight after only a kilometer or two. I was running around 5th or 6th and there were a few of us who jostled around position over the first 10-15kms. I cruised through the first aid station feeling great and started the climb up Powderface Ridge. The trail was wet and it wasn't long before everyone was soaked with mud and cow slop. By the time we hit Ford Creek I was fishing out wads of mud from my socks. I never worry about wet feet but I was a little concerned as the mud started to form into weird shapes under my arches.

Yep it was muddy

After the second aid station it was pretty much a big bog and I managed to go off course for a few hundred meters before realizing and backtracking. I ran into a couple of guys who were also confused and figured I'd dropped a few places. We started the climb up Jumpingpound and I caught and passed them. A short while later I looked back and couldn't see them and I realized my climbing legs were going to be my strength today. Once at the top of Jumpingpound the course took a wicked and devious detour, dropping us all the way back down 2.5 kms of switchbacks to the 3rd aid station before turning around and climbing all the way back.
As I was going down I saw the first 2 guys going back up with a pretty hefty lead. As I neared the bottom I heard the unmistakable holler of Leslie and I popped out at aid station #3. As Leslie helped me fill my water she said "Erm, you know you're in third right?" She had that look of "I'm super pumped for you" combined with a faint hint of "I hope you're not going to blow up". Leaving the aid station I was definitely pumped but almost immediately I saw a bunch of strong runners coming down. I figured my best hope was to crank the uphills so I put my head down and power hiked all the way back up. The course took another fun detour with a trip to the top of Jumpingpound Summit before continuing on towards Cox Hill. I hit the summit of Cox Hill and stopped to look back across the singletrack. I couldn't see anyone behind me which seemed weird got me excited.

View from Cox Hill

I couldn't believe how good I was feeling and bombed down the back of Cox to aid station #4 at Dawson. To get here we turned off the main course for a few hundred meters and then came back the same way so I knew I had a good kilometer lead as I left since I didn't see anyone else. Aid station # 5 appeared faster than expected and it was a similar scenario with a few hundred meters of in and out. I laughed when I realized that we had to climb a massive stack of stairs to actually get to the aid station. Actually, first I swore and then I laughed.

Looking back on Jumpingpound

I don't think I was the only one who found the next section really hard. It was 13 kms to the last aid station and while the course was pretty much flat it was an endless meandering bogfest with a bunch of downed trees interspersed. I found it really hard to get any rhythm going and I started to check my shoulder pretty regularly, convinced that I was about to get steamrolled.
I finally hit the last aid station and after a quick regroup I was off on the final leg. I was absolutely determined not to lose my place so there was a lot of talking to myself going on. I found the final section way easier and before long I was hitting a section of trail that I recognized. As I opened and closed a cattle gate I heard a cheer close by. I didn't realize we were so close to the finish but I put on my happy face and bolted to the line.
Turned out I held my 3rd place but somehow I was only a minute behind second so I must have made up some good ground over the last leg.
At the finish line it started to rain which sucked for those still on the course but the finishers I saw coming in all seemed to share the same happiness of a great day on the trails and a part in the inaugural Iron Legs 50-Miler.

If you weren't lucky enough to be out there this year then mark it down for 2010. It's a race not to be missed!

Post BUTT

The Route

In a Nutshell

The B.U.T.T. Epic 2009 (part 3) Rockwall

Well we saved the best for last...

The Rockwall trail is like a letter "m" with an extra leg if you get what I mean.
You can do it in sections going in on one leg and out on another or you can do 2 sections at once or, as we did on Day 5 of the BUTT, you can do the whole damn thing at once.
Some might think this is foolish covering so much ground in one day and missing out by rushing through such spectacular scenery but really it is more like sticking your head in a visual washing machine. It's like an insane roller coaster ride that leaves you screaming "Stop! my eyes are full!"

Until a couple of years ago I had barely even heard of the Rockwall but since then I have run all of the sections at least once and some of them a few times. Every time I go there I am in awe of the beauty and immense majesty of the mountains. It is never the same, I have been there in deep snow, in full larch glory and in various states in between.

Rockwall (early September 2008)

Rockwall (late September 2007)

We set out early hitting the trail at 7:30AM. It was a little rude but we were planning to take some time to enjoy ourselves along the way and the 55km trail has crazy amounts of elevation gain along the way (close to 3000m) so we figured it was worth the early start to avoid a night run out.

Day 5 of the BUTT saw Leslie, Angela, myself, Miles and Bryon along with Ian who joined us for this last day to inspire us with some fresh legs.

Early morning mist

The run into Floe Lake left us soaked to the skin with fresh rain from all the jungle like undergrowth. Floe lake itself was spectacular as always with moody swirling clouds and breaking blue sky. From Floe we headed up and over Numa Pass, through more endless fields of flowers until we broke through the cloud and stared with awe at the land below.

Leslie at Floe lake

The trail was quiet although we did see the occasional hiker on their way between campsites, certainly it was surprisingly quiet for the last week in July.

Numa Pass

Into the void

From Numa Creek it's another big grunt up to Tumbling Pass through more jungle and across a barren rock slope. The reward is another incredible pass with a huge glacier. While we were refuelling a chunk of the glacier tumbled to the ground. On we went dropping down to Tumbling Creek and climbing yet again up to the junction with Whistling Pass. We carried on finally meeting a couple of hiking groups and enjoyed the amazing views of Limestone Peak before the final grunt up and over Limestone Pass. From there it's pretty much an 18km cruise down to Helmet Falls and back out to the car. We arrived back in 12 hours flat.

Bryon vs Rockwall

The BUTT Epic was over, 5 days, 170kms and a brain overflowing with images of the beauty in which we live.

Probably the best week of my life...

More photos from Day 5

The B.U.T.T. Epic 2009 (part 2)

Day 4: Sunshine/Healy/Whistling/Ball Pass to Hwy 93 (~30kms)

Whistling Pass

I'd hate to try and pick favourites on this trip but day 4 was definitely well up there. The variety that we experienced in 30kms was incredible.
The day started at Sunshine Village. We lost Bryon to a hectic work schedule but gained Jen, Iris & Catherine as well as Miles who was back after his break.
The seven of us headed off up towards Healy Pass and it wasn't long before the crazy flowers started to show their faces. By the time we go to the pass we must have seen millions and millions of them and I can't recall ever being so blown away by such a display.

Floral Insanity

Leslie and I had run the other way over the pass about 6 weeks ago and laid the first human tracks in the snow so it was pretty cool to see what had happened in those few weeks.
The flowers continued as we dropped down to Egypt Lake before refueling and starting up towards Whistling Pass. On the way we took a worthy detour to Scarab lake and then carried on to the top of the pass. I hadn't been to Whistling Pass before but I think it is my new favourite in the area. The screaming cruise through the rock garden on the other side was just awesome. Once we were off the pass we were into lush lake habitat but it wasn't long before we were climbing again, up and over Ball Pass. Back in the rocks it seemed like the variety would never end. It didn't.

Into the burn

We carried on over the pass, through more crazy flowers and onto another open rocky section before suddenly crossing into the burned forest. Huge forest fires a few years ago left a large section of forest burned to a crisp. I actually love this area as it is such a great contrast of black charred trees, fresh green lodgepole and bright pink fireweed.
We cruised for a few more kilometers before hitting the highway at Floe Lake for another tailgate party by the river.
One day left and we saved the big one for last.

More photos from Day 4

The B.U.T.T. Epic 2009

Well what a week that was...

Happiness is...

We covered something like 170 kms including 11 passes over 2000 meters.
We saw osprey, bald eagle, marmot, pika, moose, frogs, ermine, mountain goat and the cutest baby gophers you could ever hope to see.
We ran through dense, wet jungle vegetation, over bare rocky passes, through sweet meadow singletrack, into burnt forest, through endless meadows of incredible flowers and over crazy boulder fields. We met a few hikers along the way but for the most part it was all ours.
Apart from a few minor scrapes we all came out of it in one piece and with the same stupid ass grins all over our faces.

For some people a week at the beach is what it takes to kick back. For me this was as good as it gets...

Day 1: Galatea Lake/Guinn's Pass/Buller Pass/Spray Lakes (~21kms)

Lunch at Galatea Lake

Dropping off Guinn's Pass

Our first day was a relatively easy one with about 21kms of running and 2 mountain passes (both over 2400m mind you). We (Me, Miles, Leslie, Bryon and Angela) started at the trailhead for Galatea Lake and ran up to Lilian Lake and the higher up Galatea Lake before retracing our steps and grunting up Guinn's Pass. The last time I was here we ended the day almost hypothermic so it was a pleasure to see the rain hold off. After chatting with some locals on top of Guinn's we dropped down into the saddle and crossed over to Buller Pass. The last time I was here we ended the day almost hypothermic so it was a pleasure to see no snow today.
It was an easy cruise out to Spray Lakes road and the waiting van. Keith and Meghan were the hero's of the week driving our vehicle all over the place so that we would never have to worry about getting home. Thanks guys!
We stopped at Miles' place for awesome burgers and beer and then headed home to pack for the next stage.

More photos from Day 1


Day 2: Mount Shark/Wonder Pass/Assiniboine (~25kms + 6kms)

Marvel Lake

Mt. Assiniboine & Lake Magog

Miles couldn't join us for the next two days but he very graciously drove us to the end of Spray Lakes road and kicked us out. We were loaded up with bigger packs with sleeping bags and food for our 2 day venture through Assiniboine to Sunshine Village.
It was raining intermittently on the drive out but we started our run rain free.
The first few kms is much like many other approaches and it was good to chat with everyone and pass the time. Before long we were at the amazing Marvel Lake. Definitely a place to go camping with a good book and no real itinerary. From Marvel we started the steady climb up culminating in the steep push over Wonder Pass. As we hit the pass it started to rain but it was short lived and pretty much the only rain we had all week.
Way up above the pass we watched a crazy mountain goat doing his thing. Once we were over the pass we cruised into Assiniboine and hit the lodge for afternoon tea and loaves.
Our home for the night was a little cabin (one of the Naiset Cabins) so we dropped our stuff and went for a bonus loop around Magog, Sunburst & Cerulean Lakes.
We cooked up dinner in the awesome food shelter and hung there until it was getting dark. Off to bed for a good night's sleep before the next leg of our adventure.

More photos from Day 2


Day 3: Assiniboine/Valley of the Rocks/Sunshine (~40kms)

Bryon Leslie, Angela & Me

Sweet singletrack

We were up early and on the trail by 8:30. The rainy/cloudy weather from yesterday had cleared and we had blue skies and big grins.
This section was awesome and we cruised through the meadows, past Og Lake and into the Valley of the Rocks. I don't know the geological background but I'm pretty sure someone, or more likely something, just dumped a ridiculously huge pile of rocks into the valley. For a while there we were threading our way through massive boulders before breaking out into the open mountain side again. That signals the start of the climb up and over Citadel Pass. It's another big grunt but like them all the view at the top is well worth it.
From Citadel Pass we dropped down towards Sunshine, the singletrack trail is beautiful and runs past Howard Douglas lake before hitting the bussed in tourists at Sunshine Meadows. We cruised down the uninspiring ski-out to our waiting vehicle complete with chips, coke and cookies.

More photos from Day 3

Stay tuned for Days 4 & 5

Gone Running

Singletrack at Sunshine

Having a blast at the BUTT Epic.

Here are the photos from the first 3 days:

Day 1 (Galatea Lake/Guinn's Pass/Buller Pass/Spray Lakes)
Day 2 (Mount Shark/Wonder Pass/Assiniboine/Overnight at Naiset Cabins)
Day 3 (Assiniboine/Valley of the Rocks/Sunshine)

Jumpingpound/Cox Hill

I've got some big stuff coming up and the forecast was calling for some pretty high temperatures so I didn't have any big plans for the weekend.
Ended up meeting up with Phil in K-Country at the very civilized time of 11AM to run the Jumpingpound Ridge/Cox Hill ridge.

Standoff

It involves a lot of driving on dusty dirt roads and I'd forgotten how far it is down to the Ford Creek end of the trail but we were on our way by around noon. The first section is really boggy and wet with a few creek crossings so it was quite refreshing in the heat. We ran into the obligatory Kananaskis Killer Cows of course.

Jumpingpound Ridge

After a few kilometres the trail starts the long steady slog up Jumpingpound Ridge. I've biked it before and it really is a grunt regardless of what your mode of transport is.
Once you hit the ridge the views are classic K-Country views with rolling peaks and lots of flowers everywhere. The trail was surprisingly quiet with very few mountain bikers even though it is one of the classic rides in this area.

Top of Cox Hill

These trails form part of the Iron legs 50 Miler that I have coming up in August so it was nice to get a feel of what to expect. The first section of the race is the first part of the Powderface race which I ran last week, then it follows this trail before looping around onto the Tom Snow trail and heading back to finish the 80km loop.

Start of 7kms of downhill

Whether you bike or run up to the top of Cox Hill, you are rewarded by a 7km downhill rip all the way back to the waiting car at the bottom. We stopped at the creek to soak the legs before driving back down the dirt road to pick up my car and heading our own separate ways again.
Great day in the sun and a good taste of what to expect on August 15th at the inaugural Iron Legs 50 Miler.