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Big Loop around Donner Lake – 35 miles

In my preparations for the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 on July 18, I was supposed to run 35 miles on Sunday, wrapping up an 80 mile week- my biggest week in the training cycle. Gretchen agreed to join me, and we planned to run on the TRT course. However, the day before I came down with a bad case of pink eye – so we had to change plans, as we couldn’t ride in the same car together, or risk makingRead more
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The beauty of this place is overwhelming

A perfect early morning run before work. 12.5 miles, from the base of Johnson Canyon, following the Donner Lake Rim Trail up to the PCT, under I-80, then South to Old Hwy 40, and East to Donner Summit Canyon trail, and back down to the car left at the Summit Canyon trailhead. Start time 5:00a.m. All pictures of Gretchen were taken by me. All pictures of me were taken by Gretchen. 🙂Read more
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Backpacking on Donner Pass

mom, will you take me backpacking? Shocked to hear these words uttered by my 8-year old hiking-averse son, I jumped at the chance. We set out from the PCT trailhead near I–80, and took the Glacial Loop trail to the PCT. Another trail off the PCT, to the right, led us to Lake Angela and eventually Flora Lake, our destination. We swam, explored, swam some more, and had a peaceful night. Will definitely return for more. It was about four milesRead more
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Summit Canyon-Donner Pass-Tinker Knob- Coldstream Canyon

My kids have been away on vacation for two weeks, and each day apart the ache in my heart (and lately my stomach) increases. The pain is almost overwhelming, and the only thing I thought would make me feel better was a long trail run. Or, as long as I could handle, coming off of a 50 mile race last weekend. Perhaps I wasn’t quite ready yet. We started at the Summit canyon trailhead near the bottom of old HwyRead more

Coldstream Canyon

Coldstream Canyon to PCT and back. 16.1 miles, 2,803 ft gain. I did this solo run the morning before I left for a 2 week trip to Michigan via train, with my 7 year old twins. Felt like I needed to get some energy out before being trapped in a train for 48 hours with my super hyper children. It worked for me, although I wish I would have done the same for them! Parked at Donner State Park, followedRead more