Last minute decision to head up to Davis County and run the ridgeline portion of the Great Western Trail between Francis and Thurston Peaks – the highest 2 in Davis County. This is the trail where I first cut my teeth on higher altitudes and have some very fond memories of the place. MVH joined me and it was a great evening run. We went out to Thurston, then dropped down to Smith Creek Lakes on the return. There were even some snow fields to cross still hiding up there.
Heading north towards the top of Bair CanyonLooking south from Thurston PeakMomentarily the tallest thing in Davis CountyLooking down at the northernmost of the 3 Smith Creek Lakes
One last (blustery) Hurrah on the Great Western Trail (+ bonus Smith Creek Lakes)
Knowing that the high-altitude season is quickly coming to a close (winter is coming!) I decided to do one last run up at the top of the mountains here in Davis County. I did a similar route last year at this time, but by then it had already snowed (and melted some) up at the top. We are still getting up into the 50s-70s this year in late October! So, it has been a nice month and I’m glad that the cold has held off.
In any case, I drove up to the Francis Peak FAA towers parking lot, eyeing the hunters that were out and about like last year, and went on my way. Francis Peak, past Thurston Peak to Chinscraper and back (with a detour to Smith Creek Lakes on the way out)
I followed the dirt road north and then dropped down the east side of the mountains to hit the Smith Creek Lakes (and scope out a possible route down into Morgan County). There were a surprising number of ATVs and Jeeps on the path. It is rough going in a number of places and they were having to go so slow that I passed a number of them. From the northernmost of the Lakes, I took the trail I found earlier this year to traverse over the ridge west to the Great Western Trail. It is a great little traverse and a fun way to connect the 2 sides of the ridge. I followed that around Thurston Peak to the Top of Chinscraper and then took the Great Western all the way back.
In all, it was a great run. The wind almost blew me over a couple times – SO gusty up there on the ridges.
I was also surprised by how, seemingly overnight, the amazing fall colors turned to greys and browns. Still beautiful up there, but drained of color.
Southernmost Smith Creek Lake. Kind of Blah.Sitting at the start of the traverse trail at the NE tip of the northernmost Smith Creek Lake. The trail goes up and to the right and then weaves up through the rocks at the top right to connect with the Great Western Trail on the west side of the Mtns.Looking north on the Great Western. Bright colors all drained away.Landis Spring, located on the Great Western Trail just below Thurston Peak as you traverse around its western base. Cold. So cold. So delicious. I filled up on my way past going both directions.Goodbye Ridgelines. See you in the Spring.
On the Farmington 50 mile Challenge (and associated North Marathon challenge) that I put together there is one section of the route that I was concerned might not be as much of a trail as the satellite image suggested.
It is a short traverse from the northernmost (NE of Francis Peak, down the Morgan County side) Smith Creek Lake, west and over the main ridgeline between Morgan and Davis Counties – merging on the other side with the Great Western Trail. It turned out that the trail was fairly easy to follow and a great way to link up across the ridge. I built some cairns for teh runners’ help.
I ran Strava on the way there and for some reason decided to stop it. I then started it again on the other side of the ridge after I finished the trail work, so it all logged as 2 separate run.
The southernmost of the Smith Creek Lakes. So beautiful. Its crazy how it was 100 degrees down in the valley @ 4500 ft and a good 85-90 up here @ 9,000 ft – and there are still pockets of snow pack holding on.The northernmost of the Smith Creek LakesRequisite #trailfie to drive the Mrs. nuts. Cut-off pearly snap cowboy shirt still as classy as ever!
