Derek Griffiths 1197 posts 0 comments

When you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Summit County is the perfect escape. There are dozens of breathtaking trails to choose from, but I've chosen one easy and accessible trail to tell you about. The trail begins near downtown Breckenridge and has incredible views of the ski runs and the town. The course also has a fairly easy running surface, although watch for rocks and tree roots.

Melody Fairchild is arguably the best American high school female distance runner of all time. She was born September 10, 1973 in Boulder and began running in the city’s foothills at age nine. Melody won eight Colorado track and cross country state championship titles for Boulder High School and still holds the state records for cross country (16:45.1 in 1989), 1,600 meters (4:49.86 in 1991), and 3,200 meters (10:34.09 in 1990).

As you pull in to Crested Butte, the sign reads 8,885 feet. This should be your first indication that this won't be a terribly easy trail run. The birthplace of "extreme," Crested Butte is home to some of the toughest athletes around - harsh adventures are the norm. Nestled in a valley at the road's end, surrounded by towering peaks, Crested Butte's natural backyard provides a whirlwind of activities for the outdoor enthusiast.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Pikes Peak Marathon, I'm writing about the Barr Trail. This lung-burning trail travels from a parking lot in Manitou Springs, which is located just west of Colorado Springs, at 6,650 feet. The U.S. Forest Service trail winds up the east face of Pikes Peak in the Pike National Forest and summits at 14,115 feet. This trail is not for the weak hearted with a brutal 7,000 feet of elevation gain that covers 13 long, winding miles. It takes the average Pikes Peak Marathon runner more than seven hours to complete, top to bottom. That being said, this trail is also a Colorado favorite for so many hikers and runners that if you've never tried the Barr Trail, I consider it a must-do!

Beep Beep Beep. Slap. My hand fumbles the alarm clock off. Ugh. Why is it so early? My brain slowly processes the time of 4:30 a.m. Ring Ring Ring. The phone? What the heck? Then I remember. I am meeting my buddy for a 5 a.m. run. After we'd each missed early morning runs we decided to call each other to make sure that both parties were out of bed. I pick up the phone.

Mt. Falcon is a Jefferson County Open Space Park located just south of downtown Morrison on Colorado Highway 8. The route we are running today is the typical time trial route up the Castle Trail to the first picnic shelter, 2.5 miles and 1,600 feet away. This lung burning trail is a must for anyone training for the numerous mountain races in Colorado. However, the park has much more to offer than the Castle Trail and you would be a fool to not explore more.

Writing about the Mesa Trail is like discussing brushing your teeth… it’s really important, but no one ever talks about it, because everybody has to do it. Christmas Eve, 1999. […]

The car idled while I sat waiting to muster enough energy for my run in Lory State Park. I was feeling lethargic and running alone made the prospect more difficult. It had been a year since I had run the Arthur's Rock trail loop. But finally, I turned the car off, laced my shoes and stood up. Outside the car at the trail's terminus (5,420 feet)* my laziness left - the trail was like being reunited with an old friend. I started running.

The hike to the top of the last remaining fire lookout in Colorado charms with its smooth, double-track path and a canopy of pine and aspen. While this hike is […]