After last November's R2R2R adventure I have been thinking about what to do this year during the fall, particularly during Thanksgiving week. One run that had been on my mind for a while was the Trans Zion Trek (or, the Zion Traverse). Luckily for me, a couple ultra running friends were thinking the exact same thing. After a week or so of trading ideas and making tentative plans, we were on our way to Utah.
Brandon Stapanowich, Andy Thoman, & I met up with Brendan Trimboli just outside Bryce Canyon NP on Sunday (Nov. 18th) evening. After setting up out tents, we went for a quick shake-out run, had dinner, and turned in for the night early. The next morning we would be running across the park.
Brandon Stapanowich, Andy Thoman, & I met up with Brendan Trimboli just outside Bryce Canyon NP on Sunday (Nov. 18th) evening. After setting up out tents, we went for a quick shake-out run, had dinner, and turned in for the night early. The next morning we would be running across the park.
We woke up early and caught the sunrise from the canyon rim. As I sat there, teeth chattering from the cold morning air and trying spread frozen Nutella on my cold bagel, I got my first glimpses of the canyon. Within an hour, we had out tents packed up, our packs on our backs, and were on our way down the Under The Rim Trail. We quickly warmed up as we headed down into the canyon, though pines, along ridges, and into burn zones. The terrain and scenery varied with every turn, climb, and descent. Capped off with perfect weather, we were in trail running bliss.
The further into the run we got, the more stunning the surrounding scenery became. Before long, we were on the final climb, headed back up to the canyon rim. Once on top, after nearly 23 miles and 4.5 hours, we saw other people. (It always amazes me how seldom people visiting our National Parks stray more than an eyes sight of their luxury rental vehicles. Seeing these sights is one thing, anyone can do that just by sitting in front of a computer screen, but truly experiencing them on foot sheds a whole new light. It allows you to truly appreciate the size and power of nature and the forces that created these wonders.)
The final miles were mostly flat along the rim trail. We were getting to enjoy some of the best views of the day while jumping off rocks, running as close to the rims edge as possible, and just tapping into our inner joy of movement that we all remember as kids. When we reached the car, we had covered 25.42 miles in just under 5 hours. Tomorrow would be a rest day, and on Wednesday, we would set out to conquer 50+ miles of Zion.
Nov 21 - Zion Traverse: With three days of exploring and trail running in southern Utah, including a full traverse of Bryce Canyon NP, we were now ready to take on Zion. We had a place to crash for the night, indoors and warm, thanks to Andy, who set it up though www.warmshowers.org. Fueled up on black bean burgers, chips & guacamole, and yams, we were ready to go. At 5:10 AM Brandon, Brendan, & I were on our way!
We spent the first two hours of the run in the dark, but once the sun began to rise, so did the canyon walls around us. With daylight now lighting our way, we could see the magnificent scenery that surrounded us. It is hard to describe, in words, the feeling of being so far away from anyone else besides ourselves. No roads, no buildings, no sign of human beings except for the faint single track trail and an occasional trail maker
It is times like these that you find true appreciation for the natural world around you. Its what drives us as trail/ultra runners, always searching for whats around the next corner, over the next hill (or mountain), just to get there and say.. "wow! Worth it!" Then do it all over again. Why else would the three of us have made this trek to the desert, and set out on a full day's run through some of the most rugged and un-populated area of the southwest? Then do it again just days later.
We spent the first two hours of the run in the dark, but once the sun began to rise, so did the canyon walls around us. With daylight now lighting our way, we could see the magnificent scenery that surrounded us. It is hard to describe, in words, the feeling of being so far away from anyone else besides ourselves. No roads, no buildings, no sign of human beings except for the faint single track trail and an occasional trail maker
It is times like these that you find true appreciation for the natural world around you. Its what drives us as trail/ultra runners, always searching for whats around the next corner, over the next hill (or mountain), just to get there and say.. "wow! Worth it!" Then do it all over again. Why else would the three of us have made this trek to the desert, and set out on a full day's run through some of the most rugged and un-populated area of the southwest? Then do it again just days later.
Nearly half way into the run, we found ourselves climbing to the high point along the ridge. We had already spent 2 hours running in the dark, hopping back and forth across a river, trekking up, running down, and trudging through 10 miles of mud. Now we were high above the canyon floors, looking out over the open landscape. Just waiting to plunge back down into the depths of Zion Canyon.
After descending for quite some time, we reached the Angels Landing trail around mile 37. Andy was there waiting for us (he just finished a bike trip from Seattle to Colorado and was not up for a 50+ miler after running 26 just 2 days before). With the four of us re-united, we quickly climbed up to Angels Landing, before descending back down. The next section was also a highlight of the run, the wiggles, which are 21+ switch backs that descend the steep canyon walls.
Once on the canyon floor, we re-filled out water, covered the two miles of pavement, and began the grueling 6 mile climb back out. This portion of trail took us through some slot canyons and back up to the eastern rim. From there we had a "5" mile descent, which seemed to take much longer than expected, but eventually we made it! At exactly 11 hour on the dot, we reached the East Entrance parking lot where we had stashed a car the previous day. After 51+ miles, and 11 hours, a nice cold beer was just what we wanted, and of course... food.
The following morning after getting a good nights rest, Brandon, Andy, & I headed back into Zion and hiked around the Narrows until our feet were too numb to feel. Brendan went to spend Thanksgiving with his family. That night, after 5 days of our Utah Hurrah, we were back in Crested Butte. With the miles covered during the trip, and my birthday challenge just a day before, I was at 137 miles (running) on singles. I also had about 40 miles of skate skiing and 26 miles on my road bike all in that 7 day period. Needless to say, my body was fully exhausted and satisfied.
Thanks to Brandon Stapanowich for putting together this video from the trip!
You can also find Brendan Trimboli's trip report here.
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