| Home Page | Photos | Trip Reports | Race Resume | Mountains Climbed | The Special Idiots |
The first day of Chris Gerber and my epic weekend. We left Louisville Friday night headed for Aspen and the Maroon Bells trailhead. We arrived around 10pm and got straight to bed in the back of Chris's minivan. We awoke at 4am and started prepping our bags as the others slowly began to arrive. Our group consisted of ultra runners, cyclist, and mountaineers from all over the front range. We left the trailhead just after 5am headed toward West Maroon Pass. The early morning hours passed quickly as we made our way up the rocky trail around the base of the Bells. As we neared West Maroon Pass the sun showed its first rays of light on the lush flower filled slopes around us. The trail was damp, but not too muddy....yet. We crested West Maroon Pass, and quickly headed for Frigid Air Pass. The trail was surrounded by wildflowers and green meadows from the weeks of rain Colorado had received in July. The views from Frigid Air are nothing short of spectacular. The hump from Figid Air to Trail Rider Pass is a long long way and to complicate matters half the trail along the N Crystal River was flooded and a mud bog. Descending from Trail Rider took us by Snowmass Mountain and turquoise blue Snowmass Lake. Finally we ascended Bucksin Pass and headed for the cars. The trail down from Buckskin is rough, but Steph, Darren, and I made quick time back to Maroon Lake. A light rain was falling and it actually reinvigorated my legs, so I jogged back up to meet Chris. Everyone had returned to the cars by 2pm(I arrived back at 130pm). This is a must run for all ultrarunners, and a great hike for those not interested in a 30mile day. Be prepared for rainy and wet conditions, but also be prepared to take lots of pictures.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |