Fantastic Hike on Twin Peaks Trail

I hiked up but mostly ran down the Twin Peaks Trail.  The trail is quite steep, especially the top mile, so I had to tread carefully on the descent. But once back to the main trail it was a great downhill run. 
With the fall colors and cloudy skies today provided some of the most spectacular lighting I have ever seen on this trail.  I decided to go all the way to the top instead of stopping at the second bench where I generally will turn back.  From the top you can see views of both Eklutna Lake and Twin Peaks. 

Hike at Archangel Valley

One of my favorite places to hike, Archangel Valley.  Lots of fall colors are starting to show up.  Beautiful as always.

Eklutna Lakeside Trail

I didn't run today but did go on a short 2 mile hike just to look for some fall colors up at Eklutna Lake.  There isn't a lot of color out there this year because we had such a dry summer.  So many of the trees just went straight to brown and many of the leaves have fallen.  But there were still some beautiful splashes of color. It was raining a little but not enough to detract from the loveliness of  an autumn walk at Eklutna Lake.

Gold Mint Trail Run

I started out just hiking but found that the Gold Mint Trail is so wide and smooth now that I decided to run instead.  There are some signs of fall, but like most other areas, many of the leaves have gone straight to brown due to this summer's drought.  It's still just as beautiful and wild as always.  The farther in I went, the more it started to rain. But it was just a light misty rain.  I had to cut it short at 4 miles so I could get back to cell service to make a phone call.  But it was a lovely workout and run, even in my hiking shoes instead of my running shoes.

Beaver Houses

Just a Short Beautiful Hike

I've been so busy taking care of a gigantic tree that had to be cut down, that I haven't had time for other exercise.  Cutting, splitting, stacking then dragging branches. 
But today I had to get away from the house.  It is extremely windy with dust blowing all over the valley. But I went up to Hatcher Pass in search of any indication of fall colors.  Sadly due to this summer's drought and hot temperatures, most of the leaves have gone directly from green to brown and fallen off.  There are occasional spots of yellow, but they are few and far between.
I hiked the trail at the top of Hatcher Pass behind Summit Lake.  It was fairly calm on the Willow side, but once I reached the ridge, the wind from the Palmer side nearly blew me over!  It rained a little but not enough to get me wet.  I turned around at the highest point where it becomes a rock scramble.  I have been having some pain in my left ankle so didn't want to chance having problems up there, especially if it started raining hard.

It was just gorgeous up there as always. There are no trees that high but the tundra brush was a lovely golden yellow.

Center of the Nation Day 6

Finally the last day.  I did some minor surgery, not on my foot, but on my shoe.  I cut a big chunk out of  my left shoe and my little toe was extremely happy and I ran most of today without pain.  It was quite a bit cooler with a nice breeze most of the day.  Between the cooler temperature and the lack of pain, I trimmed at least one hour off each of the other days.  I was still much slower than I ever want to be for a marathon, but at least I was a lot faster than the rest of this week.  Today we ran in Baker, Montana in a nice park once again by a lake.  I'll now be off to Green River, 500 miles to the west, to see about my camper.  I suspect I won't be driving it home. I may even be flying home and coming back when it is repaired.

The final medal with all 6 states

Center of the Nation Day 5

Today we ran in Bowman, North Dakota.  Now my left foot was killing me.  Not just my ankle and the blister, but my little toe was swollen and approaching agony.  I walked the entire day talking with two other walkers.  I got a full discussion of presidential politics from an adamant Donald Trump supporter.  I'm sure not one myself, but his attempts to convert me did a great job of taking my mind off my pain!  The time passed and I reached the finish line. I considered running the last few laps in my bare feet, but did keep both shoes on until the end.