I don't train on Sundays, but this past weekend I was at Snowbird and broke the no-Sunday rule. Snowbird is a skiers paradise nestled in the Wasatch mountains of Utah. I was there for a work conference. I figured that the next time I was likely to stay at Snowbird was the day after, um.... never, so I headed out Sunday evening to explore a trail.
Thankfully I wasn't sore at all from the Utah Valley Half Marathon the day before. My path was the White Pines Trail. Within minutes I arrived at this cool waterfall:
When God was creating the earth, he put a lot of effort into this area. If God was a trail runner, I think he'd be spending most of his time on this trail. It had plenty of rocks and roots and stream crossings and lots of climbing. Heaven.
There was another trail called Red Pines. I asked a hiker if he would recommend Red Pines or White Pines. He said White was more challenging but more beautiful. Sold! He also said there was some snow up the trail, but I figured it wouldn't be much because the weather at the start was perfect.
The trail climbed higher and higher. The air felt mighty thin. And then I started seeing snow patches. And then the snow patches turned to fields of snow. And then the fields of snow turned into a mountain of snow.
It felt like climbing a vertical ice skating rink. In some steeper parts I saw that people just slid down on their rear end because that was easier. I didn't realize until I turned around that they probably didn't choose to slide down. They just fell. I ended up sliding down the snow multiple times.
These weren't little sissy patches of snow either. It was deep! Here is my proof:
After about an hour and 45 minutes I reached White Pines Lake. I would have loved to stay at the top a little longer, but I just took a few quick pictures because I was chasing daylight and didn't want to get suck on the mountain in the dark.
Seeing the mountain light up as the sun started to go down was incredible:
After three hours I got back to my car filthy from rolling around in the snow and mud. No GPS but I think I covered around 7 miles. Curse the sun going down! I wish I could have stayed out there all day. White Pines ended up being one of the most amazing trails I've ever set foot on.
Man, that is some beautiful nature! I love that you don't train on Sundays. I have that same rule for Saturdays as a day to reserve for my Creator! What an incredible place to run! That's crazy that you got up into the snow. Great pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful place!! I know I don't remember prayers of thanksgiving often enough, but most of them come when I'm running or riding and being so thankful for the ability, the locations, and the people I can share it with.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Cory. I used to hike both Red Pine and White Pine quite a bit. You chose wisely making it back down before dark! I've had to make my way down from Red Pine in the dark with no moonlight or flashlight. It made me realize how unmanly I really am.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome pics, it makes me want to go back up there.
Beautiful! I'm sure you are right, that's where God will be. I have a dream of running in snow one day. I've been running for 31 years, but never in snow.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! It's so beautiful and I wish so bad I could just take off into the hills myself and feel totally safe. What a total treat for you to enjoy this mountain. You had to be quite up there in elevation to still be experiencing snow. I'm still inviting you back to run the Draper trails again someday.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Boy oh boy I am so tired of running in the Houston burbs, I have a lake but no hills, I miss hills.......
ReplyDeleteUm I'm at a loss for words. This is AMAZING! Wow, wow, wow I am so glad you chose to break the no Sunday running rule. It was totally worth it.
ReplyDeletealso, I think if 'God' was a trail runner he would probably like us to get out there as much as we can and enjoy the view......
ReplyDeletewowwww! so gorgeous! im very jealous!
ReplyDeleteIt's just so beautiful. And I love the way your artist's eye captures it from unusual perspectives.
ReplyDeleteLooking at those picture I think that God was a trail runner.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful. Now that I'm in Montana i realize all that I'm missing by being on the east coast where it's flat and mostly just rolling hills. I'm surrounded by horse farms but it doesn't compare to the most beautiful of mountains and snow that you get out west!
ReplyDeleteIt's hot as donkey balls here and you're running through snow. Jealous :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to run! I have never run along such beautiful environs! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've pretty much stopped reading blogs all together, but I can't get away from yours. This post is why. Incredible! Simple, inspiring and beautiful. I bet God is totally a trail runner. The trails in Heaven are going to be sweeeeeet.
ReplyDeleteAmazing pics as usual - your pics are always my favorite of any blogger out there. Looked like a fun hike!
ReplyDeleteCatching up with your blog, Cory....
ReplyDeleteI am sure God IS a trail runner. I love these pictures--thanks for this.