Well on Monday, the 3rd, I went out to Emerald Lake B.C. for a fantastic run. I went out with 4 others and 3 dogs. This was the first time in the area for me and I wasn't disappointed with the scenery and conditions. The weather was almost perfect, it was a little cool and foggy in the morning when we started out around 9:30 but as we climbed up to Yoho Pass the fog started to thin out. The pass had some steep sections that made us walk more then run, except for Hugh and Chris who are more like a machine when it comes to running. As we climbed up to the top of the pass I was going through water, mixed with E-Load, like it was going out of style. It was a little concerning because I was only 4kms into a 24km run and didn't want to run out. When we got to the top of the pass which was the trail junction for the highline trail to Burgess Shale and what we would be taking, but not without a little detour first. Once we were all together and I had a chance to eat a little bit after the big climb, I was starving, we headed down to Yoho Lake. The lake was oly 800m down the trail so we were there in no time and it was beautiful there. There was even a group of about 3 or 4 families with all there kids, most of the kids were between the ages of 3 and 7. It made me feel like I am not doing enough with my boy. Once Cosmo, my dog, had a chance to have a swim and a drink Jen, Ken, Cosmo and Ken's dog Skeemo headed back up the trail to head off to the Burgess Shale. Nobody is allowed to enter the Burgess Shale, which is a designated UNESCO world heritage site, without a special access permit and the only way to get a permit is to be on a guided hike. While Jen, Ken, myself and the dogs headed off towards the Burgess Shale Hugh and Chris with Chris's dog Molly headed off for a 5.5km loop near Yoho Lake.
The run along the the Highline trail across the bottom of the Burgess Shale was stunning, with fantastic view of Emerald Glacier and down to Emerald Lake. Man, with the color of the lake from up on the trail you can sure tell why the lake is called Emerald Lake. Emerald Glacier was beautiful, the run off made a fantastic water fall dropping hundreds of feet down to the valley bottom and then ran into the lake. We also saw a group of mountain sheep running across the upper portion of Burgess Shale.
I don't know what it is, but I get this indescribable feeling when seeing animals in the wild. A few weeks ago I was up in Jasper, AB with my family and saw a wolf cross the road in front of us then follow along the side of the road. I slowed down and watched the wolf for a few minutes and the grace and power that they display is amazing. It was like watching the sheep, the ease that they could cross such rough terrain was amazing. The only times I didn't watch an animal in the wild with amazement was when I have ran into a grizzly bear a couple of times and I basically mean ran into, both encounter brought me with 20 feet of a grizzly. I was a little to worried/scared to watch the bears.
Well back to the trail. From the burgess Shale we made oour way over to Burgess Pass where I had some more to eat. I have been trying to eat more whole foods while running insead of things like gels and sharkies, whole foods may not give the same quick energy but when I am out running for 8, 12, or 17 hours I need food that gives a more sustainable energy level. I have found that tuna is something that works well and does not give me any stomach problems. Now that we have had a chance to catch our breath and eat we headed down the trail which will get us down to Emerald Lake. The trail was only 6.4kms according to the map and in that distance we dropped about 900m in elevation, so needless to say the trail was nothing but a never ending pill of mudding, slippery and rooty switch backs. When I was about half way down I was starting to get tired and a little lazy and boy did I pay for it. A big root decided to jump up and catch my left big toe, I thought I was going to barf it hurt so much. It felt like I had peeled my nail up and was about to loose it. I tried to keep moving but it hurt to much so I stopped to have a look at the damage. It was not as bad as I had thought. The nail was there in place, a little black but that was from a different run. I walked down the trail for a few minutes before running again this time a little more aware to the roots under my feet.
Ken and I made it to the bottom of the switch backs and beside the lake at about the same time, shortly after Jen was there and we decided to take the long way back to the vehicle. This trail was fairly flat and nice easy running for about 4kms. It ws nice to have the flat surface after the 6.4kms of decent.
We had not been at the vehicle to long when Chris and Hugh made it back. they did the extra 5.5 kms by Yoho Lake but took the short way back after coming down off of the switch backs.
As many of us do after our long runs we looked for somewhere to soak our legs, colder the better. This helps promote recovery and lessen the affects of stiffness. So off we all went for a dip in Emerald Lake. I don't think they see to many people go swimming there as everyone was watching us, even the people who work there. I am sure we are now apart of a tourist picture collection, the crazy Canadians. I didn't find the water that cold, I was amazed because it is glacier run off that feeds the lake.
After the swim it was back into the van for the trip back to Calgary.
Another great run in the Candian Rockies with the Trail Trash gang.
J
