Park Lakes - Trail Run Fun 7/1/2009
Posted By: belayerslayer in Alpine Lakes
Trip: Park Lakes - Trail Run Fun
Date: 7/1/2009
Trip Report:Nothing exciting here - just a trail conditions update:
the plan was chikamin peak. Left des moines 5:45 am, arrived at Mineral Creek trailhead at 8:30 - a long, but beautiful drive. Organized my few running items then hit the trail. First river crossing at a couple hundred yards down the path forced my shoes off. By the second one, at approx 1.5 miles, I just waded through - my feet were nearly dry within another mile.
Overall this may be the worst trail I have ever run - a mixture of vegitation at various lengths (and depths) prevented me from a consistent pace. At one point I went on all fours just to see if I was still on the path. The last half mile to the lakes is a great calf burner! Reached Park Lakes at exactly 10:00 am; 1:23 from car to the lakes. At least 15 min of that was spent navagating through the horrible brush. Smoot's guidebook indicates a 4.7 mile distance to the lakes, whereas signs at the trailhead claim 6 miles. In my opinion it felt a solid 5, maybe slightly more.
Once at the lake, I began searching for the PCT, which would bring me to Chikamin. There are many little offshoot trails along the shore, with a fair amount of snow still remaining, which added to my difficulties locating the PCT. On a slight time-crunch (a date at exit 38), I crossed the other side of the lake for a final look, then called it good.
Running out definitely felt faster, yet the watch told otherwise with a time of 1:09 back to the car; only 14 min faster than the approach.
Definitely not on my 'return tick list' of trail runs (or hiking trips for that matter) but still an enjoyable workout.
Gear Notes:80 ounces water, 4 scoops cytomax
2 powerbar gel blasts
1 tjs dark chocolate bar
tnf ultra 104 trail running shoes
Approach Notes:Ate some time up trying to find the correct turnoff from hwy 903. Smoot references Cle Elum River Campground, then a left on fr 46. There is a bridge shortly after the campground, which appears to turn into the "10 unpaved miles to the trailhead", however this is not 46. At least another mile down 903, you'll find a second turnoff across the river. Neither turnoff was marked as 46 (or i just couldn't see it) but the second one is the correct road, which remains paved for about five miles, and then turns into the aforementioned "10 unpaved miles"
