(Continued from page 2.)

HIKING THE RIDGE ALONG THE BLUE TRAIL

Here's the trail map at Sweetwater Creek State Park again so you don't have to go back to a previous page to follow my hike:

Most of these trails are used by runners in the Sweet H2O race. I've already shown pictures from my solo hike during the race on the yellow and red-blazed trails in the upper part of the map down to where it says "mill ruins." 

Because of flood damage to the lower red trail, it is blocked off just before the mill ruins. Neither the runners nor I followed that trail south of the mill. I did see some people hiking on it near the point where the map says "falls" (next photo) but it looked from either end like it was too gnarly for me to enjoy with washouts and all the debris and downed trees to climb over:

Duh -- that's why it's officially closed!

See where the red and blue trails intersect near the mill ruins? The course follows the blue trail at that point, heading south to the white trail and out of the park on some other trails for a few miles.

The next photos show how nice this section of the blue trail are as it gradually ascends high above the creek and winds through the thick forest, in and out of ravines:

 

 

Sweetwater Creek is barely visible down to the left.

THE "FALLS" AND THE WHITE TRAIL

I followed the race flagging on the blue trail down some steep rock steps to the intersection with the white trail:

Looking back up the steps; the race course goes up and down these.

The white trail, which suddenly turned more narrow and rugged, was clearly marked for the runners:

It was time for me to turn around so I could get back to the creek crossing to see Jim but I continued down the steep, rocky red trail to the creek and spent a few minutes taking pictures from that vantage point. I wanted to see the shoals closer up and see what the creekside (red-blazed) trail looked like. There wasn't a sign at that end saying the trail was closed.

 

Upstream; red-blazed trail is to the left

The "falls"

Downstream

The shoals stretch for about a mile from the old mill site to the south. It would have been a scenic hike to go back that way along what's left of the red-blazed trail, but I didn't want to get part way and discover I couldn't go any farther. Maybe another time when I don't have a race to watch! Too bad that stretch of trail is so vulnerable to flooding.

MEANWHILE, BACK TO THE RACE IN PROGRESS . . .

I retraced my steps all the way back to the creek crossing so I could watch Jim and other runners slog through the water. Here are a couple pictures I took going back:

Red trail near the spillway and mill race

Quiet bend in the creek

That narrow section of trail at water's edge

There was plenty of action by the time I got back to the creek crossing. I can't imagine a better place along this course to watch the runners!

I found a shady spot between the outbound and inbound ropes to tie Cody up out of the way, then moved around to different vantage points to greet friends and watch the fun.

Above and below:  world's best crew dog

Here are some more photos of runners as they approached and crossed the water outbound and returned from the loop across the creek; they are not in consecutive order:

Volunteers recorded runners' numbers/times as they approached the crossing.

Two of our friends, Abi Meadows and Rich Schick (above),
approach the creek, then join the conga line on the rope across it (below).

 

Mid-pack runners come and go in both directions

Steve Michael adjusts his water bottle so he can get a good grip on the rope before crossing.

Yay!!! Jim was close behind Steve.  Let's watch him cross:

Slick rocks are one of several hazards fording the creek.

Another hazard is drop-offs. The water was clear enough here for him to see this one.

Rapids are always fun!  Jim was one of the runners who wisely chose
to cross each direction holding onto the ropes on the downstream side.
That's safer than being upstream and getting swept under the rope.

Almost there -- Jim turned an waved to me from the shore, then took off on the yellow loop.

Rob Apple (R) and another runner approached the creek a little while
after Jim got across. Rob has probably completed about 600 ultras by now.

Continued on the next page . . . yeah, it's long, but you don't want to miss the finale, do you??

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, and Cody the Ultra Lab

Previous       Next

© 2010 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil