Running (Trail) 1:12:14 6.68 mi (10:49 / mi) +105m10:19 / mi slept:7.0 weight:193lbs
From Query Mill Rd. on a spur trail near the intersection with Esworthy Rd., I ran up the Muddy Branch Trail (NE) to Quince Orchard Rd., then back to Esworthy Rd., and up to where I'd parked. I skipped the switchbacks inadvertently on the way out but got them coming back. It was about 42 F so there was a lot of snow and ice melting. Though the stream valley is pretty and gently sloped, the trail conditions were once again not great--standing water, streaming water, slushy ice, and mud. It required caution sometimes but overall wasn't too slippery. My small spiked Ice Bugs kept me pretty comfortable. My left knee hurt a little once in a while. I finished-up at about sunset and was pushing it in the last half mile and where I could and on other down slopes. The trail was pretty empty--only about 3 people and a dog.
