Mike Brown and I are finalizing the announcement and registration for this event on August 20th. We have already determined the difficult runs to be Holy Cross, Wheeler Lake and Chinamans Gulch. I will also lead a run on Glacier Ridge which is moderate with one difficult rock garden section.

We need some ideas for the Moderate\Easy runs.
Previous runs were:
Hancock\Tomichi Passes
Antero Peak\Baldwin Lake
McCallister\Ptarmigan
Taylor Pass

I was thinking the Taylor Pass run would be nice with the option to run American Flag Mtn. on the way back if time permitted. This run is very scenic and is definitely not a dirt road. Grizzly lake near iron chest is another possibility as a quick run. I haven’t run it, I’ve read it has a moderate obstacle at the beginning.

How did people like these runs? Any other suggestions for moderate\easy runs in the area? We will need leaders for them also.

 

Just to clarify, registration is not being finalized. It hasn't even begun. What Scott means is we're in the process of finalizing a registration page so people can sign up.

 

Scott, I can't remember, but have you ran Italian Creek? The whole road, by taking the lower loop at the top is just a dirt road, including American Flag Mtn. The upper loop is a different story. I have not taken it yet, as I have always been solo and chickened out, but will drive it as soon as it opens here shortly. Have you been on the upper loop? Anyone? Just trying to get a better idea.

Here are a few of Ian's (XOC) pics, and the only ones I've ever come across of it:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

 

Wait, you will be finalizing on august 20th, or the event is on aug 20th???

 

We are finalizing the registration page this week for the event that will be on Aug. 20-22. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[QUOTE=Darren]Scott, I can't remember, but have you ran Italian Creek? The whole road, by taking the lower loop at the top is just a dirt road, including American Flag Mtn. The upper loop is a different story. I have not taken it yet, as I have always been solo and chickened out, but will drive it as soon as it opens here shortly. Have you been on the upper loop? Anyone? Just trying to get a better idea.

Your right Darren the American Flag off-shoot of Italian Pass road and all is pretty easy. It's just that the American Flag peak is so cool to drive your rig too. And wouldn't take that long to drive up and back to make a full day with the Taylor run if needed. I'm trying to come up with newer alterative.

My wife looked that that rocky shelf road near the top of Italian Pass and wouldn't let me drive it. It looks scary, but I hear it's not too bad. I’ve never done it.

 

No problem. I wish I could go with ya'll but I wont be back in Colorado until September :cry: . Have fun!

 

I'm planning on it and already have a vacation locked for that week.

 

Darn right. For those who have never been, insert your 4Runner here.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^

Sweet;definetly one of the best Runner pics I've ever seen.

 

As always, Darren has the best pics.

Are there enough trails if Wheeler is included on the "hard" side? I thought Wheeler was pretty packed last year and I bet it will be more so.

I would be happy to run that Grizzly place if all goes well and the photo op at the Flag place is hard to pass up.

 

Hello Everyone,

TinCup Pass to the little town of TinCup is an easy run.

Cheers,
Illiana

 

I have to put a good word in for Mt. Antero/Baldwin Lake. I hope I'm not alone in thinking this, but I really think it's one of the coolest trails in the Buena Vista area. It's really close to our campground, gets you to about 13,800 feet, offers a ton of variety in the trail, you can get a stock 4Runner up it if you try, plenty of rocks and more rocks, and awesome scenery. It's one of my favorites. I'll be happy to lead it if you want. It's native marmot territory anyway.

I agree that the Wheeler Lake trail filled up last year as a moderate trail and will probably be packed again this year even if you consider it one of the hard trails. You might consider doing that trail on 2 days if there's the massive interest for it. But then people who did that trail last year might not want to do it again this year so maybe not 2 days of it.

Great idea about Italian Pass. Pics look awesome. I've never done that one.

Grizzly Lake (next to the destroyed Iron Chest) should be another possibility for a moderate trail, although likely no one here has done it yet. I haven't.

I love the variety. Keep it up.

 

Oh - and Holy Cross is much better to run on any weekday to minimize the huge potential of a traffic bottleneck at French's Creek.

I'd say Taylor Pass still gets a thumbs up despite the long drive.

I'm sure Scott and Mike could use some comments about last year's easy trails. Too easy/dusty/boring? Was the McCallister/Ptarmigan loop worthwhile?

Three years ago we went to the top of Tin Cup as a night run and then turned around.

 

Your coreect Jeff, we would like some input on the easier trails that were run last year. It looks like so far the line-up could be:
Taylor\Italian pass
Antero\Baldwin
Grizzly\Iron Chest

I agree Antero sounds awesome. And I will definitely be into a night run. Get the kids asleep and roll. I know this short yet intense run up to timberline that’s above Cottonwood lake. A short hike to the ridge takes you right above Ptarmigan Lake. I'll pre-run it before the event to verify difficulty.

 

Scott, what was the significance of you typing these trail names??

 

I goofed. My cut and paste got messed up. I edited it.

 

[QUOTE=Jeff the marmot]I have to put a good word in for Mt. Antero/Baldwin Lake..

Jeff I agree, Doug and I really like this run, it is scenic yet challenging. I'm up for this run.

Darcie