R01 TR: Rae Lakes loop 6/22/2014

[tie]

I ran the Rae Lakes loop counterclockwise a couple weeks ago. This was my first longer trail run, so I learned a lot about nutrition, hydration and gear. Fortunately, it was a beautiful day with perfect weather. The trail was in great condition, although poles were helpful getting across the snow descending Glen Pass. It took 12 hours, with 8 hours moving and 4 hours taking photographs! Here are a few:




Rae Lakes from Glen Pass:

Panorama from Glen Pass:

Rae Lakes:

Flowers along the trail:

Descending from Dollar Lake:

Looking back up Woods Creek:

[maverick]

Hi Tie,

Welcome to HST! Congrats on a successful run, and thank you for posting it here
on HST. May I ask why you decided to run in counterclockwise? Which trailrunners
are you wearing, hard to tell from the picture?

[tie]

Running CCW gives you a steeper ascent and a shallower descent. That's easier on the knees. I walked the steeper downhill sections. It also gets you over Glen Pass earlier in the day.

The shoes are Saucony Kinvara TR2s. Lightweight, breathable, dried quickly after going through the snowfields, enough protection for the generally smooth trail.

[sekihiker]

Great photos. It must be nice to be in good enough condition to do this. It makes me want to work out.