Training Log Archive: CleverSky

Just a jaunt in the fading light to get GPS tracks for some of the trails in the Lane property and Town Forest that I didn't have, for the presentation to the Finance Committee. Specifically, the Horse trail, Powerline trail, and Enigma Road. I had to come back up the Mulpus for a way to find a place where I could cross, and I narrowly missed getting my feet wet on some collapsing snow bridges. Somehow managed to cross the main backbone trail after leaving the brook, and ended up much too high om the hillside, where I had never been. Some would have been lost in this situation, no big deal for me, ended up above the HR machinery. Spikes would have been a much better idea, as there was a lot of ice, especially on the Powerline trail.

South on the Midstate Trail from Watatic. Missed the turnoff and stayed on the unplowed road, and did some exploring there. Found the turn coming back, which I had thought might be packed down, but it wasn't. Old foot traffic in some places, and in others it was absolutely untracked, and the only way to find the trail through open woods was the blazes. Pretty firm snow, a little softer on south slopes and on the way back, but there were only a few spots where I wasn't staying on top. Temp in the high 30s, wore O-pants, T-shirt and jacket, hat and gloves (and they stayed on this time), plus the pack for practice. Ate a gel at the turnaround. Felt better at the end than I did two weeks ago, after spending a little more time today, but a little less distance and more climb, cooler day with a firmer surface, hard to compare the two. I slipped at one point and nailed my calf with the other foot, just a couple of scratches and I was glad I wasn't wearing old-style spikes. Nice to run this area and not come back with ticks crawling on me.