Fern Canyon from Cragmoor 5.88 miles/3,300 vert./2:06 RT/136 avg. HR Garmin Data
Met Brandon at the Cragmoor TH at 8pm. Headed up Shanahan/Fern at a casual moderate pace. Legs felt a little heavy from the double baby carry the previous day, so it was good to keep the run/hike mellow (not to mention, despite having a great lighting setup, I am a bit clumsy at night on trails as steep and technical as Fern).
Made the summit in 52 and hung out for a while taking in the awesome view of the Front Range lights. I suggested hitting up South Boulder Peak, since we were so close and all and Brandon was game. 13 more minutes and we were taking another long break on the summit without the lights on, letting our eyes adjust and taking the in the perfectly calm and warm evening, felt more like July than late September. On the way back to Bear, I suggested heading over to Green, but Brandon was not feeling it after his month long hiatus. I was bummed at first, as I really wanted to extend the run, but was kind of glad to be done by the time I got home.
It was great to have Brandon's company and conversation, which made the outing much more enjoyable and I was not constantly wondering what might be lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce and eat me.
