Green Mountain (up Gregory/Ranger, down W. Ridge/Long Canyon/Chapman Dr./Tenderfoot/Gregory) 9.28 miles/2,906 vert./1:57:49 Garmin Data (I sure did make a fun design on the map)
I was given the afternoon to do as I pleased, so I figured I would head into Boulder and run Green/Bear/SoBo/Green and then tack on some more, or so I thought....
The only problem with this plan was a ~1pm start on the hottest day of the year thus far (90+) and the fact that my legs are still feeling pretty dull. The soreness has mostly gone away, but they have no spring in them.
I settled into my multi peak/hot day/tired leg/full stomach with a hamburger and chips pace up Gregory Canyon (slow) and started to question whether or not I would even top out on Green. I kept slogging and made it to the summit having drank nearly half of my 48 ounces of water and briefly contemplated following through, but instead opted to just cut my losses and cruise a longer route down. W. Ridge was fun, but the small rises that I normally cruise over required walking. Long Canyon was a bit cooler and shady and offered enjoyable easy cruising along the soft, smooth trail.
On a whim I decided to descend Chapman Dr. and thought about going all the way down into town, but the thought of getting back up to the Gregory lot was unappealing, so I turned at Tenderfoot and walked/jogged back up to Realization Point. The trip back down Gregory was hot and exposed and I was glad to get back to the car and a liter of icy water.
The heat had me thinking how tough and miserable WS100 must be....
