Mineral Site/Whitehorse Ledge

Normally, my last run on the Moat Mineral Site trails until Spring would have been a month ago. They are so far back once the Forest Service Rd closes that they rarely ever get packed down. So I am very happy with the lack of snowfall allowing me extra time to get out there. I was pretty sore from Monday night's run, so I took it easy and slow. The run started off under dark, gloomy skies.

I started at the end of the FS Rd on the Mineral Site Trail and began a loop that would bring me past Thompson Falls before making the gradual climb up to White Horse Ledge.

Me at Thompson Falls. The last time I was here was 5 days prior to my injury. I wish I could go back and tell that girl what lurked ahead.

As I climbed I could start to see the sun through the clouds and hoped I would get high enough to be above them. Sure enough, I got above them for some beautiful views. I was actually in between low and high clouds. Super neat. 

Spot above the clouds

As I got to the top of Whitehorse, the sun really came out, and I enjoyed a short-lived run in the sun until I dropped back down below the cloud line. Typical to most of my runs, I changed up my plans right in the middle. I usually have a general idea of what I want to run, but more often than not, I alter those plans. Today was no exception as I went right instead of left at the Red Ridge Link junction and ran down it jumping on the Red Ridge Trail. The trail was very wet, as expected. This entire section of trail from the Attitash Trail to the Forest Service Rd is exceptionally awful due to erosion; this whole section could really use a reroute, for sure. It wasn't a big deal, though, since I know the trail well and was prepared. I was happy to get off of it, though, at the Forest Service Rd. I picked up the Tent Boulder Trail from here which looped me back to the Mineral Site Trail where I ended up in the pouring rain. This brought me back to my car for exactly 9 miles at 10:25/mi pace with 1493ft of elevation gain, and...30 minutes later than expected. Oops. Fortunately, John and his dad were running late, too, so it didn't matter. Phew.

We were only home long enough for me to shower before John, Spot, Phoenix and I went to Pudding Pond for an easy 2-mile walk on the trail in beautiful sunny weather. We just happened to run into John's dad there, since he had just finished up a run, and grabbed Chill from him to take on the walk with us. That's not the first time I've run/walked there ending up with more dogs than when I started. Haha.

The rest of the day was the usual ninja class for John and the evening at home. 

Enjoyed a nice beverage. :)