For our 9-year anniversary, Andrew and I did what any affordable couple would do to rejoice almost a decade of marriage…
18.2 miles with 4,921 ft of climbing alongside a course with 200+ downed bushes (Andrew’s estimation), 4 mountain lakes, and one Re-Lyte snow slushie (at mile 13ish, we got here throughout snow and I added that to my bottle that had 2 ounces of Relyte left) that saved my soul.
I can’t let you know how good it felt to begin with a long-sleeve high as a result of it was chilly.
Possibly one yr we’ll rejoice by sleeping in and doing one thing lowkey…
We left the lovable little farm the place we stayed at 5:30 am and drove about 45 minutes to the Prarie Lake Trailhead. We have been each afraid of what we have been about to do, however actually, we should always have been a little bit extra afraid;)
The primary lake (Prairie Lake) is 4.75 miles into the run and breathtaking. It was the craziest optical phantasm as a result of once we ran up nearer to it, it seemed such as you wanted to drop right down to get to it… nope, it was proper there. We frolicked right here for a bit earlier than we began going once more.
I knew we have been going to be on the market for a really very long time and so I made positive that I took in a gel or sweet each half-hour. These seaside day gummies from TJ’s >>
We then climbed climbed climbed to our first peak. I might really feel the elevation change (we stay at 4,500 ft), but it surely wasn’t too dangerous. My race in Wyoming shall be just like this. At dwelling I’m all the time doing trails the place you go up after which right down to the tip however my race seems extra like this the place you might be climbing once more after taking place.
After which our first down. We cruised down this portion and it was very runnable. Bonus factors = there was a restroom on the base!
After which we began the subsequent set of climbing that took us to decrease Norton and higher Norton lakes. Each have been beautiful.
After these lakes we had one other mile of climbing to our ultimate peak. From Andrew: “I can’t let you know what number of instances I draped my physique onto my handlebars and went limp and needed to discuss myself into going once more.” Hahaha issues became survival right here.
The views of the lakes from the climb.
After which we obtained to the highest and right here is the snow that I took for my Re-Lyte slushie (I used the clear snow beneath):
This subsequent down part was form of sketchy to run down… I felt like I used to be going slower down this than the earlier up. However I didn’t fall your entire run which is a brand new report.
Our ultimate lake–> Miner Lake! The unique purpose was to leap into this one however at this level we have been out of water and have been dreaming of cheeseburgers. It was about three miles from right here to the automobile!
Just a few extra ideas:
*Andrew crashed at mile 13. He scratched his shoulder fairly badly, however we’re so grateful that it wasn’t worse.
*I dissociated these final three miles as a result of I used to be past thirsty. I must be taught to carry 3x the water I feel I ought to.
*We solely noticed three path indicators your entire time, which felt like Idaho’s approach of claiming, ‘Good luck on the market.’
*As we have been doing this, I stored enthusiastic about all the those who do 50 and 100 milers on programs like this… I can’t course of how.
*This was my longest run since final September!
*Nothing like coming dwelling from a getaway extra exhausted than we left.
*WHY DID I THINK IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO GET A PEDICURE BEFORE WE LEFT?!
*Working/mountain climbing/backpacking-> I can’t suggest this path sufficient. It was every part I used to be craving. Simply carry sufficient water/electrolytes/energy… anticipate it to take double the time you’d assume it does. Mountain biking… in all probability not essentially the most mountain biking pleasant path however doable!
*Right here is the path that we did on AllTrails. I’m so grateful for AllTrails. If we hadn’t downloaded the map earlier than we misplaced service, we’d in all probability nonetheless be within the mountains of Idaho. We did take one improper flip earlier than checking to see if we had taken the right fork, which ended up including near a mile.
I don’t assume we talked from this level till we had eaten half of our burgers and drank three glasses of water at a restaurant in Ketchum, Idaho. After which we have been again to ourselves once more.
PS in case you are seeking to do what we did, we stayed at this farm. It’s on acres of land, has beautiful views, the host was so candy to us, and it was 1/third of the value of staying anyplace else within the space. Really, essentially the most charming space with canines, cats and horses in every single place. We sat and talked for hours in these chairs beneath the celebrities and moon. It was good.
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Ever gotten misplaced on a run??
What’s one thing small that immediately makes your day higher?
What’s a should for you when on the lookout for an Airbnb?
What’s one place you’d like to run that you just haven’t but?
