By: Jeff Mogavero
After a long winter spent scurrying along icy roads and snowy trails, the warm embrace of spring is a welcome phenomena here in Montana. The snow line continues to flee up the mountainsides as temperatures continue to creep higher and higher. The presence of dry ground and dark ribbons of singletrack sends Missoulians flocking to the trails surrounding town. It’s so much fun to go on a run or walk and see dozens of other people out enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, and plentiful miles of trails. Below are some recommendations for keeping our trails in great shape, current trail conditions, and ideas for your springtime explorations!
Note: to stay up to date on current trail conditions, drop by the store for our trail conditions board by the front door!
Trail Etiquette Reminders
1. Stay on trail!!
It’s almost impossible to go out on Waterworks or the North Hills and not run into someone walking in the grass next to a muddy trail. While escaping the mud may seem like a great idea, it destroys the surrounding vegetation, contributes to erosion issues, and creates new trails that become an eyesore. As we like to say, “keep singetrack single!”. If it’s muddy, stay on trail through the mud. If you don’t want to get your shoes muddy, try a different route on a less muddy trail.
Stay on trail and have fun in the mud!
Tips for avoiding the mud:
- Go early in the day, when temps are closer to freezing and the sun has yet to thaw out the ground.
- Stick to trails covered in ice/snow and bring traction devices! You’ll get snowy, not dirty, and avoid the crowds too.
- Choose trails that have been snow free for a long time – they’re most likely to be dry!
2. Let others pass
Especially in the time of COVID, passing and being passed on trail warrants respect. The person heading uphill has the right of way. If descending, stop and step off to the side of the trail. Once the person coming uphill has passed you, hop back on trail and continue along. If you come up behind someone, give a hearty “hello!” from a distance so that you don’t startle them. Let them know you’ll be passing, and what side you’ll pass on (“Hi there! Passing on your left!”). Don’t forget to be friendly!
3. Clean up after your dog
We all love having our dog join us on trail. But what we don’t all love is stepping in dog poo or finding those little plastic bags of dog poo plopped along the trail. If your dog goes to the loo, PLEASE pick up the poo! Carry the bag with you and toss it in the trashcan at the trailhead.
Current Conditions Updated 4/5
Overall, expect drier trails at lower elevations. Mid elevations have mud, with snow/ice in shady spots. Higher elevations eventually all have snow/ice. South-facing slopes have dried out quicker. Trails are starting to get good out there as days stay warm!
Pattee Canyon:
Snow has just about left the canyon! Most trails are dry, but be ready to get dirty. If you see some charred looking forest, it’s from a recent prescribed burn. Enjoy the campfire smell and lack of smoke :). Expect snow/ice on north facing slopes and in shaded areas. Upper trails by University Mountain have some snow drifts, but they are navigable. The dirt
A trace of snow by the Barmeyer Loop
road that leads up to University still has plenty of snow in the upper reaches. The ridge route to University is doable without traction, but traction will make it much easier. The Barmeyer Loop is mostly clear but does have several icy patches.
Mount Sentinel:
The M Trail and fire road are snow-free and mostly mud free. Snow/ice can be found in the trees towards the top of the mountain (on the Boy Scout Trail and between the north and south summits). The ridge trail has a large snow/ice section a few hundred yards below the summit. It is very steep. Use traction or go slowly and carefully, staying on trail. Pengelly Ridge up to the south summit is clear of snow. The Smokejumper trail is icy and snowy enough in its upper reaches that it’s best done going uphill. Traction isn’t necessary, but it is very helpful. Traction IS necessary if going downhill.
Mount Jumbo:
Morning on Mt. Jumbo
The trails south of the summit are clear of snow and ice! They are also mostly clear of mud. North of the summit to the Lincoln Hills Trailhead/saddle is a mix of snow, ice, and mud. The warm weather is eating away at the snow very quickly. Traction could be helpful if you aren’t confident on slippery surfaces. Going uphill on this section is most enjoyable and safest! The trails and two-track on the saddle are in great shape.
Waterworks/North Hills:
The snow has left and trails are mostly mud free! Head out early to avoid crowds. PLEASE STAY ON TRAIL. Waterworks is highly susceptible to trail braiding and erosion. Mornings are the best time to avoid the crowds chasing the warmth of the day.
A group run on the Waterworks trails
Rattlesnake:
Conditions are changing quickly as snow and ice melt. Spring Gulch and many of the trails in Sawmill Gulch are still snowy and icy. Rumour has it they can be done without traction, but it is very slow going. Bring along your spikes to speed things up in case you encounter a dreaded ribbon of ice winding up hill. The main corridor is in good shape for a few miles. The trail up to Stuart Peak is still in winter mode. Stuart can generally be done with just a mile or two of snow come mid May. It is snow free in mid to late June.
Blue Mountain:
Mud and dog poop! A reminder to PLEASE pick up after your dog and take the bag with you! Mud down low, but trails drying out fast. The higher up you go, the muddier and then icier the trails will get. Snow up high by the summit. Also expect snow/ice in shadier sections of trail that don’t see the sun much.
Kim Williams Trail:
Aside from a few small patches of easy to navigate ice in Hellgate Canyon, the Kim is totally snow/ice free!
Route Ideas
Once Jumbo opens, I am always itching for an excuse to find myself on the top of the mountain! My number one route suggestion for this time of year is a run or hike up to the “L”, heading to the summit if time/ability allows. All of the trails on that side of the mountain are snow free and drying out fast.
If you’re looking for a longer adventure, we’ve got you! Jumbo is nice, but the big views and sun exposure of Waterworks makes me yearn for those rolling trails. My solution? Waterworks + Jumbo, also known as Watumbo! Watumbo is a big, wonderful loop that links together Waterworks, the North Hills, and Jumbo almost entirely on trail. It can range anywhere from 10 miles to 15 miles, depending on how creative you get on the Waterworks trails. If you want to shorten Watumbo a bit, you can cut across the Rattlesnake at the Tivoli trailhead to the Mountain View trailhead for a north loop of 7.7 miles, or a south loop of 7.7 miles (It’s amazing how nicely that works out). If you’re looking for a longer run, give this one a try! It’s best to go clockwise so that you can walk up the snow/ice on the north side of Jumbo. Once that snow melts, the route is phenomenal in either direction!
Purple: Full Watumbo route (~10 miles, +2,370’)
Blue: Cutoff for shorter Watumbo (North and South are both 7.7 miles)
Directions:
Make your way from Greenough Park up to the top of the Waterworks Hill. Enjoy the view and keep going, turning right at the fence line. Head down the switchbacks and turn left to follow the power lines in the North Hills. Take the “sunset loop”, sticking to the highest trail/two track. Take your last right and head towards the trailhead. Descend about 1/4 mile before taking a left on single track. Take this to Duncan Drive. Take a left and enter the trails again, heading over the squishy bridge. Take a left after the bridge, then your first right to cross the Rattlesnake Canyon on trail. Stay on trail after crossing Rattlesnake Drive. Pick your poison of trails/dirt road that take you up to the Lincoln Hills Trailhead. Hop on trail there and head up the backside of Mt. Jumbo. Take in the views on the summit then head down towards the “L” and back to Greenough Park. Have fun!!
The Time to Improve Foot Function is Now
Photo: Votography Images
By: John Fiore, PT, owner of Sapphire Physical Therapy
The function of the foot
There are many simple yet highly effective exercises to aid in foot function
The human foot is an evolutionary marvel. The human foot contains twenty-six bones, thirty-three joints, and one-hundred ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Humans have the unique ability to walk on two legs (bipedal walking), due in part to the ingenious balance of mobility, shock absorption, and propulsion found in our feet. Our ancestors climbed trees and traveled on all four extremities. As humans diverged from our primate ancestors, our toes shortened for push-off, our heel (calcaneus) mass increased for foot strike, and our mid-foot arch developed for shock absorption and recoil.
Why focus on foot function?
Most of us keep our feet covered in socks and shoes and rarely considering the important role our feet play in our daily lives and recreational activities. I have seen many feet in twenty-eight years of physical therapy practice, and I am confident that there is no such thing as the perfect foot. The take home message of this article is the importance of regularly addressing foot joint mobility, strength, and balance to allow your unique feet to function properly for a lifetime.
John Fiore helping a runner after the Snowbowl 15k. Photo: Votography Images
Foot stress increases when the ankle joints are stiff. When the lower leg and foot musculature (intrinsic muscles on the bottom of the foot) are weak, foot and ankle strain increases. In addition, foot and ankle joint impact increases when our foot is not capable of effectively absorbing and transferring impact force associated with landing, especially during running and jumping activities.
Next steps
While it is true that more impressive exercises exist (squats, lunges, deadlifts, planks), there are few exercises as important for living, working, playing, running, or jumping without pain than foot-specific exercises. I recommend being proactive in regard to your foot health, especially if you have recreational or competitive goals in 2021. Make an appointment with one of our physical therapists for a consultation, individualized exercise program, and training recommendations. Sapphire PT specializes in foot and ankle treatment. Our services range from preventative, to post-operative, to custom foot orthotics fabricated on-site for your unique foot issues.
Sentinel Hill Climb 2021 Recap
Runners ascend the steep northwest ridge of Mt. Sentinel. Photo: Seth Orme
Participants were met with temps pushing the 70s and loads of sunshine for the 2021 Mt. Sentinel Hill Climb. Rolling starts helped to spread people out, as racers left the M trailhead anytime between 5pm and 6:30pm. After collecting themselves at the top from a big effort up Sentinel, people migrated downhill to enjoy a mug full of Big Dipper ice cream. Thanks to all that came out and made it a special day running trails in Missoula! And a special thanks to the volunteers out doing trail work on the M Trail!
Special congrats to Kris Brown and Katrina Miller on getting engaged at the M on their warm-down after the race!
Women’s Race
Erin Clark running to victory. Photo: Seth Orme
There was a lot of speculation prior to the race of what would happen between Hoka ONE ONE trail runner Erin Clark and perennial master’s champion Nicole Murray. Murray came into this race with 6 of the 10 fastest times ever posted on the hill climb route, with a personal best of 24:46, and a win at the 2019 event and 2020 Treadmill Challenge. Clark came to the hill climb as an 11-time Division I All American and former pro track runner who is seeing tremendous success in longer trail races. But could she handle the steep grade and rocky trail on Sentinel?
Out of the gate, there was a surprise with Michelle Hiland nabbing the $50 M premium in 7 minutes and 40 seconds (the fastest women’s time to the M on Strava). As the trail steepened, Hiland faded back and passed the lead off to Clark, with Murray in hot pursuit. Clark hammered the ridge, working hard to hold off a charging Murray. Clark took the win in a speedy 25:32, the 7th fastest women’s time ever posted on the Hill Climb route. Clark never breathed easy, as Murray made it to the summit a mere 8 seconds behind Clark in 25:40. Hiland finished third in 27:13.
Top 5 Women:
Men’s Race – New Record!
Adam Peterman, trail runner for Hoka ONE ONE and Hill Climb Race Director, came into this race as the clear favorite. Peterman boasted the fastest known time on the Hill Climb route in 18:39 from 2019. But professional and Olympic mountain biker Howard Grotts ran the Sentinel ridge in 19:50 last week. Could Grotts take down Peterman come race day? This question hung in the air as the gun went off and the most stacked field in Sentinel Hill Climb history charged up the M trail.
Adam Peterman on his way to a new fastest known time and course record. Photo: Seth Orme
Former North Dakota State track athlete Grady Anderson led most of the climb up the M in a Hail Mary attempt at snatching the $50 M premium. But Peterman didn’t yield, and blazed by him to grab the premium in 6:05 (second fastest M Trail climb only to Grotts’ 6:04 from earlier this month). Peterman stormed ahead, growing the gap between himself, Grotts, and the rest of the field. Running every single step of the way, Peterman crossed the line in 18:31, an astonishing new course record and fastest known time. Grotts was second place in 19:25. It should be noted that Grotts’ time is the fastest ever run outside of Peterman’s former record. Rounding out the top 3 was Peterman’s fellow Hoka ONE ONE teammate Kris Brown in 20:35.
This was the most competitive men’s field ever assembled for the Sentinel Hill Climb. Thirteen men ran under 24 minutes. The top 5 were all well under 22 minutes.
Top 5 Men:
Results and History
Full results for the 2021 event, as well as all former Hill Climbs, are available at Competitive Timing’s website here.
Photos by Seth Orme will be available soon. Stay tuned!
Top 10 women’s and men’s times were compiled by Tim Mosbacher in this 2019 post for the Montana Trail crew: http://www.montanatrailcrew.com/2019/05/tims-lists-mount-sentinel-hill-climb.html
Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible! We had Sapphire Physical Therapy‘s own John Fiore out marking the course, Kiefer and Rhea of Momentum Athletic Training handing out the cash premiums, Altra Running at the base with demo shoes, Hammer Nutrition during the race, and Big Dipper Ice Cream after.
All smiles at the Mt Sentinel Hill Climb! Photo: Seth Orme
Runners on their way up the northwest ridge of Sentinel. Photo: Seth Orme
Competition is Primed for the Sentinel Hill Climb
Runner’s ascending the steep terrain above the M. Photo: Seth Orme
By Adam Peterman, Race Director of the 2021 Sentinel Hill Climb
For me, the Hill Climb started in 2009. On a cold November morning when I was a freshman at Hellgate High School, I lined up to race my first ever Sentinel Hill Climb. I had just read “Born to Run” and was wearing a fresh pair of Vibram Five Fingers (blue camo colorway, of course.) I remember there was a skiff of snow and my footprints made it look like I was running barefoot.
The course that year didn’t follow the ridge trail but instead the more gradual Boy Scout Trail to the top. Two-thirds into the race, I blindly took the lead, not knowing how much farther was left, and turned myself inside out to avoid being passed. I haven’t won it since, and I think it’s safe to say I’m the only person to win it in Vibram Fivefingers.
12 years later and I’ve been handed the ropes to be the race director. With COVID precautions in place, we were given a unique opportunity to create an “Elite Heat” for the runners who want to start together in a pack and duke it out. I love many things about running, but a big part of why I run is for the competition, and man, I’m looking forward to the fields that we’ve assembled from our Western Montana runners!
The Men
Monte Cole gasps for air after a time trial up Mt Sentinel last summer. Photo: Jeff Mogavero
Mike Adams cruising above the M in the last running of the Hill Climb. Photo: Seth Orme
Nicole Murray taking an early lead in the 2019 Hill Climb. Photo: Seth Orme
The Women
Erin Clark and Adam Peterman after Erin’s second place finish at the 2021 Bandera 100k
The Sentinel Hill Climb will make for a fun evening of running and an exciting return to in-person racing. Follow this link to learn more and sign up!
Don’t forget the ice cream at the end! Photo: Seth Rome
Sustainability at the Runner’s Edge
Events with thousands of runners can use a lot of cups. That’s why all of our events are cup-less! Photo: Votography Images
Sustainability at the Runner’s Edge
At the Runner’s Edge, we care about the planet. Like you, we love playing outside and enjoying the incredible outdoor opportunities in Missoula. We take pride in our commitment to environmental initiatives in store, at events, and with the brands that we carry. We are continually striving to reduce waste in store and support brands that treat the world how we want it to be treated.
Supporting Brands that Care
Ashley sporting our new RE-branded t-shirts from Saucony. Made from 70% recycled polyester!
The apparel industry is one of the biggest global contributors to climate change. But, as consumers you can make choices that reduce the impact of the apparel you purchase. As a store, the Runner’s Edge tries to make these choices as easy possible. Apparel buyer Vicky Mix says she “has focused on purchasing sustainable products” in recent years. What does this mean? “I check the company’s mission, what efforts are they doing, and if it fits for us, that’s where we’re gonna go!”. The result is that most of the apparel in our store is made from recycled polyester!
Did you know?
The Runner’s Edge carries Perspective Fitwear. This lady’s clothing company uses Good Human Tech™ fabric that incorporates an innovative landfill-degradable technology that enables pieces to fully decompose in 3 years. Don’t worry- this doesn’t impact the quality or durability of pieces while they’re worn! Drop by the store to check them out!
Shoes and the Fit Process
Have you ever noticed what we do with the cardboard inserts that come out of your shoes when helping you find the perfect pair of sneakers? We place all box/shoe stuffings and papers in a bin to be sorted into recyclables and non-recyclables. By doing this, we can drastically reduce the amount of waste we throw in our dumpster each day. And the shoes we have? The Runner’s Edge makes it clear to brands that we want to carry shoes with recycled content made in a way that limits their impact on the environment. The Saucony Endorphin Speed will soon sport 100% recycled polyester in the entire upper material, and recycled content in almost every other part of the shoe. In 2019, the use of recycled polyester in Hoka ONE ONE shoes diverted approximately 14,900,000 bottles from landfills, saving 19.1 million MegaJoules (MJs) of energy, 220.2 million gallons of water, and over 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide (source). We are excited to continue supporting brands that strive to reduce their environmental impact.
Upcycled, reusable bags made from extra event t-shirts. Heck yeah!
No More Plastic Bags!
A few months ago, we ran out of plastic bags at the store. We knew our customers would occasionally need a way to carry a collection of running goodies. We got creative and decided to upcycle year’s of extra race t-shirts into reusable bags! Lisa Walser hand makes every bag. Read more here. Please leave these bags for customers who are in a pinch and forgot a bag. The best thing you can do to help us (and the planet!) is to bring your own bag or opt out of a bag. If you do take one of our reusable bags, please reuse it as much as possible. You can even bring it back so we can offer it to another customer!
Shoe Donations
Shoe donation box alongside the bin we use to collect recyclable shoe inserts
Every few weeks, we pack up a big box of many dozens of used shoes to send off to the MORE Foundation Group. What happens to those shoes? According to the MORE Foundation Group, “proceeds regenerate forests and jump start small farming co-ops in needy regions.” They utilize a “value added, multi-faceted approach to shoe recycling. Instead of 100 years decomposing in landfills, the donated shoes are sold to participating vendors in developing countries. This creates retail jobs while stimulating free enterprise. MORE provides basic supplies, tools, seeds, and agroforestry training to poor farming families and rural villages” (source). If you have old shoes that still have some life in them, bring them by the store to donate!
Waste-less Events
Post-race food is awesome. Tastes even better when paired with compostable flatware!
In 2018, we gave out over 20,000 cups to participants of our races. That’s a LOT of cups. We decided it was too many, and in 2019 transitioned our races to be cupless. In addition, every piece of cutlery, plate, or bowl we give you for your post-race meal is 100% compostable! At every race we have recycling bins and compost bins so that you can dispose of your waste properly and reduce the load that heads to the landfill. Check out our cup-less policy here!
Did you know?
In 2020 the Runner’s Edge started Running Up for Air Mt. Sentinel. A part of the Up for Air Series, this event challenges participants to climb Mt. Sentinel as many times as possible in 3, 6, or 12 hours in the dead of winter. All proceeds of this event support Climate Smart Missoula and their initiatives to reduce air pollution and improve climate resiliency in Missoula
Our staff
A happy RE staff out enjoying the trails
We work hard as a staff to individually and collectively reduce our footprints. It’s not uncommon to have three or more bikes parked downstairs in the basement from morning commutes. To reduce the amount of trash we produce, we have a compost bin on-site for employees. That means all those Five on Black bowls (they’re compostable!), apple cores, and coffee grounds turn into soil instead of ending up in a landfill. In addition, the Runner’s Edge offers its employees free glass recycling.
Questions or Comments?
We’d love to hear from you! If you have ideas for how we can further improve our sustainability efforts, let us know! If you want to know how to get involved, please reach out. Send Jeff an email at jeffm@runnersedgemt.com with any questions, comments, or concerns! Thanks for shopping local 🙂
RE Reusable Bags
Lisa Walser sewing a t-shirt bag
By: Jeff Mogavero
What do you do when you find yourself faced with hundreds of t-shirts that no one wants? After years of events our storage unit was overflowing with unclaimed race t-shirts. Our first thought was to donate the shirts, but no organizations in town needed shirts this year. With a growing mountain of shirts, we decided to get creative by whipping out the scissors and sewing machine. In turn, we addressed more problems than just an overabundance of t-shirts.
For years we’ve been working through a surplus of giant plastic bags, eagerly awaiting the day they would run out and we could come up with a more environmentally friendly solution. If you’ve been in the store recently, you may have noticed that we no longer give out plastic bags. And if you’ve been in our storage unit recently, you may have also noticed that all of our extra t-shirts are gone. In the past few months, we’ve been cutting and sewing old race t-shirts to turn them into reusable bags! We are so excited about this opportunity to reduce waste and provide a useful product to customers who forget their reusable bags.
While we’re incredibly happy to be reducing the amount of plastic waste our store contributes to the world, we want to remind everyone that using our new bags is not the solution. The t-shirt bags are available to those who need them, but ideally customers will opt to not use a bag, or simply bring their own bag. Our goal is to reduce waste, not create another form of waste!
Speaking of waste, you might be wondering what happens to all of the scrap fabric from our bags. Our sewer extraordinaire, Lisa Walser, came up with a brilliant solution: dog beds! Once she has enough scraps, Lisa stuffs them all in a shirt and sews it shut, making a comfy dog bed to be donated to the Humane Society.
The best part of our new bags? If you’re in a pinch and need a sleeveless shirt, just cut off the bottom of your bag and BOOM, you have a tank top!
Drop by the store to check out the new bags, but please bring your own! We have the t-shirt bags as backups, but a limited supply that we hope will last a very long time!
A very happy Dominic enjoying a t-shirt doggy bed
Spring Trail Running Guide
By: Jeff Mogavero
After a long winter spent scurrying along icy roads and snowy trails, the warm embrace of spring is a welcome phenomena here in Montana. The snow line continues to flee up the mountainsides as temperatures continue to creep higher and higher. The presence of dry ground and dark ribbons of singletrack sends Missoulians flocking to the trails surrounding town. It’s so much fun to go on a run or walk and see dozens of other people out enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, and plentiful miles of trails. Below are some recommendations for keeping our trails in great shape, current trail conditions, and ideas for your springtime explorations!
Note: to stay up to date on current trail conditions, drop by the store for our trail conditions board by the front door!
Trail Etiquette Reminders
1. Stay on trail!!
It’s almost impossible to go out on Waterworks or the North Hills and not run into someone walking in the grass next to a muddy trail. While escaping the mud may seem like a great idea, it destroys the surrounding vegetation, contributes to erosion issues, and creates new trails that become an eyesore. As we like to say, “keep singetrack single!”. If it’s muddy, stay on trail through the mud. If you don’t want to get your shoes muddy, try a different route on a less muddy trail.
Stay on trail and have fun in the mud!
Tips for avoiding the mud:
2. Let others pass
Especially in the time of COVID, passing and being passed on trail warrants respect. The person heading uphill has the right of way. If descending, stop and step off to the side of the trail. Once the person coming uphill has passed you, hop back on trail and continue along. If you come up behind someone, give a hearty “hello!” from a distance so that you don’t startle them. Let them know you’ll be passing, and what side you’ll pass on (“Hi there! Passing on your left!”). Don’t forget to be friendly!
3. Clean up after your dog
We all love having our dog join us on trail. But what we don’t all love is stepping in dog poo or finding those little plastic bags of dog poo plopped along the trail. If your dog goes to the loo, PLEASE pick up the poo! Carry the bag with you and toss it in the trashcan at the trailhead.
Current Conditions Updated 4/5
Overall, expect drier trails at lower elevations. Mid elevations have mud, with snow/ice in shady spots. Higher elevations eventually all have snow/ice. South-facing slopes have dried out quicker. Trails are starting to get good out there as days stay warm!
Pattee Canyon:
Snow has just about left the canyon! Most trails are dry, but be ready to get dirty. If you see some charred looking forest, it’s from a recent prescribed burn. Enjoy the campfire smell and lack of smoke :). Expect snow/ice on north facing slopes and in shaded areas. Upper trails by University Mountain have some snow drifts, but they are navigable. The dirt
A trace of snow by the Barmeyer Loop
road that leads up to University still has plenty of snow in the upper reaches. The ridge route to University is doable without traction, but traction will make it much easier. The Barmeyer Loop is mostly clear but does have several icy patches.
Mount Sentinel:
The M Trail and fire road are snow-free and mostly mud free. Snow/ice can be found in the trees towards the top of the mountain (on the Boy Scout Trail and between the north and south summits). The ridge trail has a large snow/ice section a few hundred yards below the summit. It is very steep. Use traction or go slowly and carefully, staying on trail. Pengelly Ridge up to the south summit is clear of snow. The Smokejumper trail is icy and snowy enough in its upper reaches that it’s best done going uphill. Traction isn’t necessary, but it is very helpful. Traction IS necessary if going downhill.
Mount Jumbo:
Morning on Mt. Jumbo
The trails south of the summit are clear of snow and ice! They are also mostly clear of mud. North of the summit to the Lincoln Hills Trailhead/saddle is a mix of snow, ice, and mud. The warm weather is eating away at the snow very quickly. Traction could be helpful if you aren’t confident on slippery surfaces. Going uphill on this section is most enjoyable and safest! The trails and two-track on the saddle are in great shape.
Waterworks/North Hills:
The snow has left and trails are mostly mud free! Head out early to avoid crowds. PLEASE STAY ON TRAIL. Waterworks is highly susceptible to trail braiding and erosion. Mornings are the best time to avoid the crowds chasing the warmth of the day.
A group run on the Waterworks trails
Rattlesnake:
Conditions are changing quickly as snow and ice melt. Spring Gulch and many of the trails in Sawmill Gulch are still snowy and icy. Rumour has it they can be done without traction, but it is very slow going. Bring along your spikes to speed things up in case you encounter a dreaded ribbon of ice winding up hill. The main corridor is in good shape for a few miles. The trail up to Stuart Peak is still in winter mode. Stuart can generally be done with just a mile or two of snow come mid May. It is snow free in mid to late June.
Blue Mountain:
Mud and dog poop! A reminder to PLEASE pick up after your dog and take the bag with you! Mud down low, but trails drying out fast. The higher up you go, the muddier and then icier the trails will get. Snow up high by the summit. Also expect snow/ice in shadier sections of trail that don’t see the sun much.
Kim Williams Trail:
Aside from a few small patches of easy to navigate ice in Hellgate Canyon, the Kim is totally snow/ice free!
Route Ideas
Once Jumbo opens, I am always itching for an excuse to find myself on the top of the mountain! My number one route suggestion for this time of year is a run or hike up to the “L”, heading to the summit if time/ability allows. All of the trails on that side of the mountain are snow free and drying out fast.
If you’re looking for a longer adventure, we’ve got you! Jumbo is nice, but the big views and sun exposure of Waterworks makes me yearn for those rolling trails. My solution? Waterworks + Jumbo, also known as Watumbo! Watumbo is a big, wonderful loop that links together Waterworks, the North Hills, and Jumbo almost entirely on trail. It can range anywhere from 10 miles to 15 miles, depending on how creative you get on the Waterworks trails. If you want to shorten Watumbo a bit, you can cut across the Rattlesnake at the Tivoli trailhead to the Mountain View trailhead for a north loop of 7.7 miles, or a south loop of 7.7 miles (It’s amazing how nicely that works out). If you’re looking for a longer run, give this one a try! It’s best to go clockwise so that you can walk up the snow/ice on the north side of Jumbo. Once that snow melts, the route is phenomenal in either direction!
Purple: Full Watumbo route (~10 miles, +2,370’)
Blue: Cutoff for shorter Watumbo (North and South are both 7.7 miles)
Directions:
Make your way from Greenough Park up to the top of the Waterworks Hill. Enjoy the view and keep going, turning right at the fence line. Head down the switchbacks and turn left to follow the power lines in the North Hills. Take the “sunset loop”, sticking to the highest trail/two track. Take your last right and head towards the trailhead. Descend about 1/4 mile before taking a left on single track. Take this to Duncan Drive. Take a left and enter the trails again, heading over the squishy bridge. Take a left after the bridge, then your first right to cross the Rattlesnake Canyon on trail. Stay on trail after crossing Rattlesnake Drive. Pick your poison of trails/dirt road that take you up to the Lincoln Hills Trailhead. Hop on trail there and head up the backside of Mt. Jumbo. Take in the views on the summit then head down towards the “L” and back to Greenough Park. Have fun!!