On the Subject of Cross-Country Skiing

This came about as some other homeschooling parents and I were talking about cross-country skiing.  One thing led to another in my mind.  Here's what I came up with.

The topic of cross-country skiing came up yesterday afternoon while some of us were passing the time in Princess Park.  For those who may not be aware of what we have around here and are interested in going skiing, here's some information from my perspective.

First, if you are new to x-c skiing or quite rusty, take a lesson.  Group lessons are the most inexpensive way to go.  There are kids' programmes (and organizations, like Jackrabbits), but I'm not terribly familiar w/enrollment info, etc.  I'm sure some google searches could help you pull up specific information.

To my knowledge, Cypress is the only one of the three ski hills here on the North Shore that offers groomed x-c ski trails and quite likely x-c trails at all.  Our family only tried to ski there once, but my understanding is that the trails are nice, but challenging w/lots of ups and downs.  We plan to ski there "regularly" this winter as we included this in our "Silver Pass" for skiing at Cypress - I think it was a $50 add-on fee. 

We ski primarily at Whistler Olympic Park in Callaghan Valley (about 15 minutes before Whistler itself) because as my volunteer perk there, our family skis for free.  It also has some incredible terrain and trails which makes sense given that it was the site for the 2010 Olympic's nordic events.  The grooming and network of trails is simply outstanding; we're incredibly lucky to have access to them.  I'm pretty much in awe every time I'm there.

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                           I can't believe there's actually a photo of me skiing w/the kids!

There are a number of "fairly" level trails, but it's impossible to not have at least a few small hills.  And there are lots of trails w/rolling hills as well as ones with quite steep hills.  I have scarred Keaton and Elena by making them ascend one of the steepest when they were first starting out.  Alas, this wasn't a one-time event, either - we did it multiple times because it was the only trail I knew of at the time where we could bring our dog.  Yes, there were tears!  (It would take us upwards of an hour to go around it.  Imagine my surprise the first time I had the chance to ski it on my own - about 15 minutes!)

Whistler Olympic Park (WOP) is an incredible resource.  Funding comes from Whistler Sports Legacies which has the primary mission of "growing sport".  In this case, it means getting people/kids involved in winter sports.  Day passes are around $20 for adults, I believe.  Rentals are around the same, probably a bit more.  Kids cost less.  Compared to downhill/alpine skiing, nordic skiing is a bargain.  And there's little, if any, waiting in line.  I was skiing around an empty trail last winter the same time a neighbour was standing in a 2+ hour lift line up at Whistler that went down to Starbucks in the village.  Or something like that.

There are also numerous snowshoeing trails at WOP.  If your child (or you) is interested in marksmanship, there's biathlon - that's skiing fast, but maintaining your heart rate, then coming into the firing range and shooting 5 times w/a .22 rifle at a twoonie-sized target (again, or something like that).  I have aspirations Keaton will take to that, but the window is closing.

There is also a fun sledding hill: 

And playing in massive snowbanks:

 

 In addition to these activities, WOP was - and is - where ski jumping takes place.  If you look wicked close, you'll see a ski jumper landing her jump:
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 As homeschoolers, the day lodge is a fabulous place to hang out:

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                                   (This was lifted from one of their recent Facebook posts.)

And here is Keaton hard at work this morning:

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 It's early in the season, but outside of holiday weeks, weekdays are still pretty quiet. 

Also notable at WOP is beginning December 13, they have $5 Wednesdays.  All of the normal charges are $5 - ski passes, ski rentals, and pasta dinners.  I believe this runs from 4 PM to 9 PM.  We've done it a handful of times, but will also be doing it somewhat "regularly" this winter now that my schedule is freed up : )  I have the kids wear their pajamas as their base layers and wear rain pants and jackets over.  When we get home, it's simply a matter of taking off their outer wear and putting them to bed.  (They are usually asleep by the time we get home.) 

[Note:  These were the prices last year.  They may very well be the same this year, but if they're more, they won't be much more.  Also, they will be experimenting with Friday nights in January and February.]

I will be going up most weeks at least once, if not twice, as I have my volunteer stints to get in.  I will quite happily go up with you and show you around so you don't have to figure stuff out yourself - Where do you park?  Where's ski rental? How do I sign up for a lesson?, and so on.  Obviously, I'm quite partial to the Olympic Park.  But I repeat, it's an incredible venue.  It's world-class.  It really is.

After Cypress and Whistler Olympic Park, there's Lost Lake up in Whistler.  I've never made it past Callaghan Valley to get up to Lost Lake, but these are the Zappa mountain bike trails, so they should be superb, too.  My understanding is beginner lessons are a bit challenging there.

Oh, also in Callaghan Valley is the original nordic centre, Callaghan Country.  The turn-off to Callaghan Country is about 100 metres before the entrance to WOP.  Callaghan Country is a more "traditional" centre with a lodge (that I've never been to, but would like to visit).  Grooming is fairly hit-or-miss; they simply don't have the financial backing WOP has to maintain trails.  One trail fee allows you to ski both Callaghan Country and Whistler Olympic Park trails.  Because I'm always trying to squeeze in a hard ski, I stick to the well-groomed WOP trails.

British Columbia apparently has a tremendous number of cross-country skiing venues.  I've only been to three (technically four, but I really can’t count Cypress).  I have dreams of visiting many more of them, but that won't be any time soon. 

The next closest place after the above is Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast.  This has to be the most visually stunning nordic centre in all of BC:

A four year-old Elena skiing where there's an ocean backdrop.  Vancouver Island w/it's snow-capped mountain are in the background.  To me, this was unbelievable.

Dakota Ridge is a community/volunteer run operation.  The trail system is sort of short, but the views make visiting there well worth it.  If anyone is up for a trip there this winter (it's a right as you pass through Wilson Creek, I believe), I'm game.  There is also plenty of snowshoeing.  The third-best thing about Dakota Ridge (#1 = views; #2 = grooming and trails) is it's donation-funded, i.e. it's super-affordable.  Should you need to rent skis, Alpha Adventures in Wilson Creek has them.  It's a forestry road up to the trails and requires at least 4-wheel drive if not chains.  Alpha Adventures offers a shuttle; I have a 4X4 pick-up that seats up to 6 : )

In my opinion, because of Dakota Ridge's character, it's best to hold out for a blue bird day.

Finally, in my limited scope of BC's x-c offerings, Sovereign Lake is to-die-for.  After the kids have moved out and are on their own, you may find me living up there in a little cabin as a hermit every winter.  Or sooner, if Larissa tires of me ; )

The conditions - the snow - is simply extraordinary at Sovereign Lake.  The Canadian National team (I hear even the silly Americans, too!) train here early in the season as it offers the best snow.  And I can say "silly Americans" because I am one ; )

Sovereign Lake is in Vernon adjacent to Silverstar.  In fact, you can ride a lift to the top of Silverstar and access Sovereign Lake.  Yes, that's right:  You can do a primarily downhill x-c run.  We (OK, I) thought this would be a wonderful Wescott Family Adventure two years ago:
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Unfortunately, I hadn't properly treated the bottom of Larissa's skis.  The new snowfall (late season, so a bit sticky) stuck to the bottom of her skis, eliminating any glide.  We had to stop frequently to scrape it off.  She's smiling in the photo, but I was well on my way to becoming a hermit that day!

Anyway, the gist of this all is, if you have a hankering to do any x-c skiing, go for it!  And if you'd like some support, be in touch!


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Finally, some additional info and reasons to go x-c skiing:

• Cross-country ski venues are not the scenes downhill areas - they are pretty down to earth places.
• While lycra is popular among some nordic skiers, pretty much anything goes.
• Wearing wool creates a "throwback" look and is never out of style ; )
• Bringing your own lunch to eat in a nordic centre's day lodge will garner nods of approval.
• Craiglist is an excellent place to get cross country skis and related equipment, but it's not foolproof - you need to know something.  Personally, avoid any skis with "3-pin bindings" - these aren't necessarily, but probably ancient.  "Waxless" skis may have their bases worn off and thus won't work.  That said, if you are just starting out, you will probably want to keep it simple and use waxless skis. Figure out what kind of cross country skiing you'll be doing (probably start off "classic" skiing if you're new to it), figure out what size skis, poles, and boots you'll need, then look for something w/newer versions of bindings (NNN, SNS, etc.)  MAKE SURE YOU PURCHASE BOOTS THAT MATCH YOUR SKIS' BINDING SYSTEM.  You can figure out sizing by doing a google search for that, too, something like "how to determine cross country ski lengths" perhaps.
• Again, if you're new to cross-country skiing, start with classic skiing.  You can learn some of the fundamentals while you get used to skinny skis, then eventually use that muscle memory to learn skate skiing, which requires more technique.  Skate skiing can be wicked fast, though, and is well worth learning!
• You will use a bunch of calories, so dress in layers, not all bundled up like you would be riding a chair lift.
• Cross-country skiing is more than just great exercise, it's getting out in some beautiful places and breathing in some wonderful fresh air.  Or gasping for air if you've really pushed yourself ; )
  
  
                                 

Personal Highlights and Iconic Moments of 2016

2016 was a fantastic year for our family, one filled with events that have already etched themselves deep in my memory.  There were a number of firsts, things I've ruminated on for years generally trying to figure out how to do them.  Things I wish I could have already done, but for various reasons hadn't.  A number of the biggest ones came together in 2016.  We have been fortunate to have been able to enjoy so much.

In chronological order, then, let me begin.

Ground Up Climbing Centre, Squamish

Keaton on an overhang.

Our good friend and a true go-getter, Lauren Watson, opened up the climbing center in December 2015.  We went to the opening and were back again shortly afterwards.  At the end of January, we had Elena's birthday party there.  Before long, it just made sense to join and attempt to go there regularly.  Both kids love climbing.  I appreciate the physical and mental aspects it takes to climb well.  An unexpected bonus was the adult interaction the kids got:  lots of support as they'd come off the wall from adults awaiting their turns.  A particularly fun moment was Keaton bursting out into his full grin as he reached the top of hs bouldering route.  A man on an adjacent route had called over to congratulate him on what was a challenging climb.  2016 marks the beginning of the climbing gym's impact on their lives.

Epic Day, March 17, 2016

Photos may seem to lie:  That the kids' reflectors are lit up indicates how dark it really was!

While indoor climbing was something that occurred throughout the year, Epic Day was one of those one-time events.  Really, it was a celebration.  When I first mulled over the idea, it was to celebrate all that can be done in the "sea to sky" area where we live - it's a pretty compehensive list of outdoor pursuits.  This is how I explained Epic Day at the time, too.  In hindsight, it's as much about our incredible backyard as it is about the blossoming abilities of Keaton and Elena.  We began (well, we really began with a stop at Galileo Coffee Company to get fueled up) with mountain biking, then it was up to Callaghan Valley for snowshoeing, sledding, and nordic skiing.  We came back through Squamish to get in a bit

Lauren posing with the kids.

of indoor bouldering.  After this, it was home to do some sea kayaking, then up to Cypress for some night skiing.  It was as awesome a day as it sounds!  Both kids were thrilled and I can't wait to do it again this year.  I'd love to add in a few more things, but I'm not sure how we could do it time-wise.  Let me know if you'd like to help run support in the coming year!




Silver Star Ski Resort, March 2016
 

Silver Star represents our family's first ever ski resort holiday.  Ultimately, I would love to be able to backcountry ski and get in multi-day trips that way, but for starters, one needs to be able to ski well enough to do that.  I'm not there, yet, and neither are the kids.  Plus resort skiing was just a relaxing, fun way to spend the last bits of winter.  Silver Star was especially family-friendly with tubing, snowshoeing, and x-c options, in addition to the downhill skiing.  A highlight for me was discovering neighboring Sovereign Lake and the best nordic ski trails I've ever been on.


Hiking/"Adventures" in General

Sleepless Nights Trail overlook, Lions Bay

We chose to live in Lions Bay in large part for its physical environment.  I knew there were trails here, but I hadn't realized how substantial they would be.  The forest and ocean make it easy to get out and be active.  For that, we are grateful.


Surfing in Tofino, May

Chesterman's Beach, Tofino

I worked with the four Grade 12 students at my school to come up with a week-long field trip.  It was pretty wonderful with caving, paddling a traditional canoe with a First Nations guide, and stand-up paddle boarding for some.  Learning to surf, though, was a tremendous highlight for me, in particular because of the spectacular rainforest backdrop.  I loved being in the water, too - a good thing since that's where I was most of the time.

Paddling Camp, Kamloops, BC  First Week of July

Camping at Roche Lake near Kamloops, BC

OK, so I just love doing stuff outdoors with my kids.  Not a big surprise.  Little is better than actually camping with them which is exactly what we did for the week of paddling camp up in the Kamloops area.  The camp was a wonderful experience for both kids, particularly Keaton who has more confidence and will therefore try anything.  They got to paddle a multitude of different boats over the course of the week and enjoyed it.  Meanwhile, we spent the rest of our time up at Roche Lake and would only have been happier had Larissa been able to join us.


Kona, Hawaii, Mid-July

We survived the elements for an elementary experience ; )  Lava fields, Kilauea Volcano

Larissa's parents generously supported their entire family for a week-long visit to Hawaii's "Big Island".  Spending time with in-laws and cousins in a low-key setting was pretty wonderful.  Of course, the rawness and beauty that is Hawaii eclipses pretty much everything, though.  That was the case for me as an eight mile trek onto the lava fields where lava spontaneously cracked through the surface before my very eyes was an unforgettable experience.

The iconic moment, how I will best remember the Hawaii trip, though, is captured in this shot:

 There are a few reasons why.  First, it was a beautiful setting.  Second, Keaton had paddled a SUP for the first time ever just a week before at the Kamloops paddling camp - here he was just killing it into a bit of chop and in a headwind on a board that was too big (thus too bulky) for him.  I couldn't have been prouder of the ability he displayed.  Finally, the historical context of the background just makes it for me:  these are the cliffs Hawaiians would volunteer to sacrifice their lives at.  When a king died, it was considered an honor to be lowered by vines/rope to hide the bones, then have the vines cut and plummet to one's death, thereby keeping the hiding spot a secret.  While it's not the greatest picture, it's a powerful image in my mind.


 Backpacking the Howe Sound Crest Trail, End of July

Keaton and Elena taking in the alpine scenery behind our home.

I had wanted to get both kids up behind our house for years now because it's such an incredible environment.  It's taken me awhile to gain the knowledge of the trails - even three years earlier when I did have Keaton along on a backpacking trip with friends, I wasn't familiar enough with the various trails to make the best decisions for our group.  I've learned, though!  In addition to gaining better knowledge, addressing the physical nature of such an endeavor had to happen, too.  Keaton had made a similar climb up to 5,000 feet a couple years earlier, but without a backpack.  Elena hadn't.  Both kids are quite capable, though, and the summer of 2016 became the bulls-eye to finally make this happen.

Most of July was rainy, but by the time we got back from Hawaii, typical blue sky, day-after-day-after-day summer weather had set in.  I had gone on one of my favorite trail runs - up Brunswick Mountain, then back down a short distance to the Howe Sound Crest Trail and along that until I arrived in Porteau Cove.  (One of the fun aspects to this is that I go early enough so that when I reach Porteau Cove, Larissa meets me with the kids and we continue on to Galileo in Britannia Beach for brunch!)  While up in the alpine, I was blown away by how much water there was.  Normally at the end of July, creeks are flowing at modest levels, but this year they were cranking.  Waterfalls were everywhere making an already spectacular environment even more so.  I came down vowing to get the kids up there right away.  Of course, we had plans to leave on a two-week road trip at the end of the week and there was work to be done to prepare for that, too.  With an open weather window of perfect weather forecasted for the following week, I pulled the trigger and we headed up mid-week.

The pass over Brunswick Mountain, the first bit of flat (non-climbing!) trail.

Into the alpine

Brunswick Lake

The trip was everything I had hoped it would be.  Keaton and Elena worked hard to climb the 5,000 feet and were rewarded immediately by incredible views of Howe Sound.  From there, the hiking was easy, trending mostly downhill.  I had promised them snow and delivered on this maybe 15 minutes later when we came across a patch still in the sun's shadows.  In another 15 minutes, we came over the pass created by Brunswick Mountain's northwestern flank and were treated to a simply spectacular view of the Coast Mountains' alpine terrain.  One of the things I love about my kids is they appreciate natural beauty, they openly express this.  Both Keaton and Elena were amazed with what we saw.  There were whoops of excitement when emerald green Brunswick Lake came into view - that was another promise, to be able to swim in a lake up in the mountains.  "The climb was worth it!" they exclaimed.  Everywhere were charged creeks and waterfalls.  While only a two-day outing, it has laid the foundation for many such trips in our future.

Yes, we did it!  Porteau Cove

Lower Salmon River, Idaho  August 2016

A multi-day river trip was long overdue, but at least we didn't jump the gun and try one before everyone was ready.  Idaho's Lower Salmon River was a beautiful first trip and will hopefully be the destination for many trips in the future.  Hats off to Larissa for trusting me on this one and huge thanks to our companions, Nick and Gus Beer, for their support.
 

It really was a fairly low-key river trip in terms of whitewater - it was fun and not too technical, overall.  Larissa, though, didn't feel this way whenever Keaton was approaching a rapid in his ducky!  We'll remember the blazing hot days, refreshingly cool water, beautiful canyons, white sand beaches, and lots and lots of columnar basalt.  It truly was a watershed moment for our family and the first of what should be many river trips in the future as we explore our world.




Post-river Trip, Mid-August

Demolition Derby, Lewiston, Idaho

I don't know what could be in starker contrast to a "wilderness" river trip than a demolition derby, but this was how we celebrated our first night off the river!  I totally appreciated the drivers and their love for engines and driving for that's really what events like this represent.  The highlight of the night was a compact truck rolling completely over and landing upright before resuming on its path of destruction!


My Parents Visit, End of August

On the Sunshine Coast Ferry with the mountain range behind our house in the background.  Tough to keep my dad awake ; )

2016 also marked the first time my parents were able to visit us in our new stomping grounds of south coastal BC.  We've established ourselves here, our kids have the things they enjoy doing, and we have a new house/home, all things we wanted to share with them.  While the visit lasted just under a couple of weeks, it was filled with memorable experiences.  We're all lucky we were able to do this.

Adams River, Interior BC, October

For the second year in a row, Keaton and I headed into BC's southern interior with the goal of running the Adams River.  Whereas last year we were unsuccessful in realizing this, we were successful this year.  I had kayaked the stretch of river back in July when the kids were in paddling camp, so I had had the chance to check the river out.  Keaton duckied it as I led a group of family friends down in the raft - it was a short, but fun time.  It was also an effort to establish some traditions as I would love for at least our family, if not our extended family out here, to mix things up a bit, to appreciate a different area, over the October long weekend.  October coincides with the historic sockeye salmon run on the Adams making it a destination for that time of year.  We tented out at Roche Lake, the same place where the kids and I stayed during paddling camp.  Hopefully something similar will be adopted by our family - all in good time!



Keaton at Alcuin

Snowshoeing adventure up at Grouse Mountain, early December

As parents, we all want our kids to thrive at school (except for my gifted homeschooling friend Andrea!).  We're fortunate in that we've found an excellent environment for Keaton at Alcuin.  He has fantastic classmates and two talented, high-energy teachers who keep him active.  We couldn't ask for anything more.


Redwall Series Celebration at The Fat Badger, Mid-December

2016 will go down as The Year of Redwall for Elena.  We poked about a bit to test the waters, introducing the first book (Redwall) to Elena to see if she'd like it.  She loved it!  Elena began getting the stories in triplet:  listening to the audio version, listening to me read to her every other night, and reading the story herself.  It wasn't long before she left me me in the dust - around Book 8 - and mowed down story after story on her own until she completed all 22 books by mid-December.  Not bad for an eight year-old : )  We will be forever indebted to Brian Jacques.

The celebration was held at Vancouver's Fat Badger Restaurant because the stories have a significant British bent to them.  This included numerous feasts of British origin.  We sampled many new things at supper that night.  Black pudding, anyone?!






The Simple Things That Are Just Waiting For Us, If Only We Make the Effort

Stump Lake, Squamish

There's so much to do and it doesn't have to be terribly complicated.  I have fond memories of clearing snow from a couple ponds close to where I grew up and skating with family and friends.  Driving past those same ponds as an adult, I was amazed at how small they were!  The lesson is it doesn't necessarily take much.  In this spirit, we drove to Squamish, shovels in tow, determined to go ice skating.  And ice skating we went!  I'm convinced it's these times together that will create our fondest memories.  We have been fortunate in 2016.

Shahi Paneer Leads to Trail Running Revelation - Huh?

I have to buy my friends.  At least this appears to be the case.  I mean, half a school year of “any Tuesday or Thursday, let’s go for a run/paddle/whatever – just say when” has only budged two “friends” a total of three times.  Pretty telling, I think.  Last week, though, I tried out a new approach, my neighbor Tracy becoming my first test subject.  Knowing that she enjoys cooking and that she likes, if not loves Indian food, including a paneer dish I had made for our families at a holiday get-together, I gave her a packet of the spice kit I had used.  Then I baited her big time:  Come over to my house, I’ll show you how to make paneer (the cheese used in the recipe) and, while it’s cooling, we can go for a run around the Totally Unnecessary Trail.   

Making paneer is really quite simple, the one catch is concocting some sort of press to bind the curds that form from adding an acid to the heated milk.   This is my ace in the hole as Tracy doesn’t have a press:  if she wants paneer, she has to play with me.  

My cheese press is a mix of river guide technology, back East food tastes and Rona Hardware plumbing supplies.

The shahi paneer must have been really good that night (I have to admit, using the Fusion Spice kit felt like cheating) because a few days after having made the offer, Tracy succumbs.  Note to self:  Tracy = homemade Indian food.

I owe my first trail run with Tracy to Fusion!

Thursday morning after dropping the kids off at school, she knocks on the door dressed in her running attire ready to get to work.  I pour a gallon of milk into the pot and our paneer making is underway.  Then the moment comes, the milk reaches the magical temperature of 85 C, we add lemon juice, place the curdling milk in the refrigerator, and head up Oceanview Road for our run as the mixture cools.

The first stretch of the approximately 8 km/5 mile Totally Unnecessary Trail follows the Unnecessary Mountain Trail – they are one and the same – and is uphill.  More accurately, it’s up the western flank of the Coast Mountain Range.  If this sounds cool, it’s because it is.  The mountainside’s toll can be measured by the slowly diminishing conversation that takes place over the first 20 or so minutes.  We start out chatting away as Tracy’s dog, Scout, lopes easily ahead.  “Here’s a particularly sketchy bit,” I call to Tracy as we approach a vertical ledge, but later on for something equally sketchy, it’s reduced to, “This is [breath breath]sketchy!” or simply, “Sketchy!”  Ever the guide, though – Larissa rightly explains I love being in guide mode – I literally stop to share a story about the burnt out shell of a tree, stopping being something I never do on my own.  To me, the Totally Unnecessary Trail is just as much about the people who built it as it is the beautiful forest it travels through; their stories need to be told.  If it requires stopping, I’ll stop!

Keaton and Elena humoring me for a photo last summer.

And the forest is beautiful.  I look back in Tracy’s direction to see her surrounded in the massive trees and exclaim rhetorically, “Isn’t this beautiful?!”  This setting is something I’ve experienced dozens of times now and I’m still incredulous.  The day is overcast, but even on the sunniest of days, this part of the trail is always in cool, deep shadows beneath the dense canopy high overhead.

At around 2,000 feet, the top part of the Totally Unnecessary Trail branches off from the Unnecessary Mountain Trail, the entrance purposely obscured so only the people who know about the trail will be on it.  “There’s only one more stretch of uphill before we reach the highest point on the trail,” I encourage her.  And then that’s reached, I give a bit of a cheer, and we’re officially able to enjoy what I call The Traverse.

 The Traverse is a narrow track that undulates a bit as the trail slides south along the contours of the mountain.  It’s not long – we’re just about to a mini-sketchy ledge we have to descend – when Tracy exclaims, “I love this trail!”  We’ve worked our tails off to get pretty damn high and now we’re able to enjoy the fruits of our labor (at least until we get to the bottom of Lone Tree Creek!)  From solely a running perspective, this is an aspect about trail running in a mountainous environment that I love:  I’ve just gone from running as slow as I’ve ever run – the uphill bit – while all my vitals were about maxed out, to going about as fast as the trail dictates I can go and I’m back in full breath and my heart rate has markedly decreased.  When the trail opens up, so will I so that on those few, short sections, I’m nearly at a full sprint.  It can be the epitome of interval running.  The only times I’d change my pace on a road run would be exactly for doing interval running; here it happens naturally. 

I’m thrilled Tracy’s having fun – when we share things we love, it’s some darn good feedback.  We’re able to talk again, we cross creeks, we squeeze between trees, vault over/slip under – depends on one’s height! – a downed tree, traverse some scree slopes – I even make Tracy stop for a picture.  I have many favorite sections of trail and The Traverse is one of them.

This time, it's Tracy's turn to humor me.

In another twenty-plus minutes, we’re at the edge of the final scree slope and about to descend.  I have to interrupt our conversation to warn, “Take this at whatever speed you’re comfortable – it’s pretty sketchy.” – sketchy apparently my word du jour.  The descent consists of several short switchbacks where the scree has been picked over to create the semblance of a trail.  The loosest rocks have been removed, but here “loose” is a relative term.  Very relative.  When you’re running down it, there isn’t much that feels stable.  I rely on quickness to get through it, never spending too long on any one rock.  The descent only brings us part-way down, depositing us onto a plateau where the remains of an old forestry road can be seen. 

The plateau is another favorite section.  Every shade of green imaginable is contained in the different mosses and needles in the forest here as the path wends its way among the conifers.  Just before we come onto it, I make Tracy go ahead so she can appreciate it without an obstructed view.   As we emerge, I repeat, “Isn’t it beautiful?!” only this time screaming it.  Of course, Tracy agrees.  She’s scared not to!  She weaves her way through the trees until the trail begins to go down again, deferring the lead of the short downhill section to me.  It’s another few, quick switchbacks then a steady downhill bit – it’s actually somewhat straight.  “There’s a sort of fun side-step move coming up.  We’ll come over a rise and you’re going to have to step over a log to your right,” I explain.  It’s one of many fun moves since quick footwork is rewarded with a smooth transition from going forward to going sideways to going forward again.  A short distance beyond this, I lead Tracy to an overlook where the hiking faction typically stops to eat their lunches.  While we appreciate everything we see, the stop is brief and we’re back on a lower section of the plateau, the trail again wending its way on soft track among greens of every shade.

Kona has to take his turn, too.  This was in November.

The plateau is disappointingly short; its beauty alone makes me wish it went on for miles and miles.  In fact, the nature of the Totally Unnecessary Trail is constantly changing.  All too soon, we’re on a rough descent down into Lone Tree Creek, the longest descent on the trail and the most technical section of a rather technical trail.  “Go down at whatever speed you feel comfortable,” I warn again, adding, “it’s a long way out with a twisted ankle.”  Tracy works her way down as we negotiate numerous obstacles including a mini-creek that’s formed on account of recent rains; a blind, hairpin turn with a rather precipitous drop awaiting anyone who doesn’t zag right; a log bridge with a chicken wire tread nailed to it – Scout doesn’t like this; and a massive log angled down over the trail with a notch for a foothold carved into it and a bright, yellow rope nailed in for grip – Scout doesn’t like this log, either.  My dog, Kona, almost slid down this and into the ravine below while on a run several months ago; I was just able to grab him as his back feet lost their purchase.  Scout has good reason to be hesitant.  Further down brings us to The Grotto and all its wetness and slippery rocks.  And before we know it, we’re on the modest bridge spanning Lone Tree Creek, the creek we’ve been listening to for at least the last five minutes.  Again, we pause to revel in the beauty.

Lone Tree Creek as seen from the bridge on the lower section of trail.

The remainder of the run is comprised of climbing out of Lone Tree Creek and then a longer section of relatively gentle trail until we’re back onto the Unnecessary Mountain Trail and heading down.  At one point on this route  – it’s after High Point, the top part of the lower trail before it goes down into the defile that is Lone Tree Creek – I look back in Tracy’s direction.  The trail, rocky in this section, clings to the forested hillside.  Tracy silently, deftly descends this twisted track, seemingly lost in concentrating on the moment in front of her.  She’s part of the trail.  My mind flashes to images I’ve seen on the Internet and magazines of people running in stunning environments, images that have inspired me to trail run.  It’s such a simple beauty, trail running, a simple, but overwhelming beauty.  For the first time I realize, when we run these trails, we are this beauty.

*     *     *

I find tremendous enjoyment in sharing things I love.  Being able to go for a run with someone else is special enough.  That today it was on the Totally Unnecessary Trail - and Tracy’s first time on it, to boot – makes it even more special.  I felt this way back in the summer when Larissa, the kids and I made our way around it with our local hiking group, I felt this way when I brought another friend for her first time on the trail this fall (also as a run), and I imagine I’ll get to feel this way a bunch more times as I convince other people to join me for a run around the trail.  I’ll just have to figure out the “angle” for each of them!

 Monday, January 13 Update:

Not only did Tracy get in a spectacular run, her paneer turned out wonderfully:

This is a glowing testimonial if ever there was one!