6.9 miles | 1:34:03 | 13:38 pace | "Dos Rock Piles" 'Twas the day after Christmas,
and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring--
I'd gone for a run...
I had been toying with the idea of going into work but
opted not to—it was a “holiday” after all… During the drive from the house to the Canyon Glen
parking lot the thought entered my mind that a trail run might involve a
mountain lion. Don’t know why that
thought popped up this time and not at others, but it did—and I nearly scuttled
my plans. Fortunately I didn’t. And no cougars were seen. And that’s probably how they planned it.
I’ve run and/or hiked this trail a number of times but
this was the first time I actually ran what I planned—and then some. The Great Western Trail, I believe, splits
and runs past Mt. Timpanogos on both the western and eastern sides. I think.
I might have misheard that somewhere once upon a time. Not that it matters.
At Canyon Glen you can hit the Great Western Trail and
run it north to Dry Canyon, Battle Creek, Grove Greek, and end up in American
Fork Canyon. Going from AF
Canyon/Timpooneke to Provo Canyon makes for a very fun mountain bike ride. I expect it would make for a nice run as
well. Maybe in the spring…
So, I started at Canyon Glen with the simple goal of
running as far as the rock pile about 2 ½ miles up the trail. Most of that is uphill and I hiked most of
it, running the flats and the downs.
Never saw a soul, which was weird given that the parking lot was packed. I found myself constantly scanning the brush
and checking the snow for tracks left by a big cat. Nothing.
At the rock pile I was debating whether I should head
back or head on up the trail for a bit more when a blonde comes traipsing out
of the scrub oak. We exchanged greetings
and commented on the weather, and off she went along a trail I’d never been
on. “Hmmmm. I wonder where that goes?” But did I want to follow this young lady and
possibly give her the impression that I was stalking her? I waited a few minutes and off I went after
her figuring I just go ½ a mile or so to the top of a hill the trail appeared
to be heading towards, at which point I’d turn around. About ¼ of a mile up the trail I came around
a bend and there she was—tying her shoes.
I was by no means quiet or stealthy as I stomped up the trail, but she
never once looked up or acknowledged me in the least. Until I was right there. And I guess I gave her quite a scare. She was wearing headphones so I suppose I
shouldn’t feel too bad, but I did, apologized and kept on going.
And I’m glad I did!
About ¾ of a mile past the first rock pile is a second rock pile at the
top of a knoll that stretched out from the base of Timp and gave a pretty nice
view of the southern end of the valley.
I wished I had my camera but I didn’t and spend a few minutes there
lamenting the fact before heading back.
I’m not much of a climber but I sure love storming back
down the hillside once I’ve gotten to the top.
Woke up today and wished that I didn’t have to go into
work for reals. The lack of snow up on
those trails really has me jonesing to run—and work effectively puts the kybosh
on those aspirations. Work. If only I
didn’t have to!
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