Zion Traverse Part Duex

We keep arguing who gets to post first. This time Cody won. Now I am hesitant to post more photos since Cody did such a good job covering ground with his camera this run around. I just might have to get me a pair of trail running legs to get up to some of these places. I am kinda jealous...but lazy. Trail Running and laziness don't really meld well together.
So, for the lazy man's version of this adventure: here we go.

The crewing side of this run was actually quite an adventure this time around. We got up early and drove to Kolob for the drop off:

 The guys are running down that lower ridge, at this very moment. You just can't see them without a zoom....

After the drop off, we drove down around to the Kolob Terrace Road. Then we drove up said road in the midst of construction, mud, and the confused Spring Snowstorm that wouldn't quit. It got worse the higher we got. Fog, freezing snow, freezing mud- I will mention the mud a couple of more times before the end...I was grateful when we hit Hop Valley Trailhead but only in a minor way since we had further to go for the next aid.

AND. This was Hop Valley. To my surprise, there was already a trail running crew here. We weren't the only weekend warriors braving the storm. 

We weren't the only species confused by the change in weather either...

 The guys came in about two hours after we rolled up. They were nearly frozen and a little sluggish. Zippers were difficult, eating was a secondary concern to just moving and keeping the blood flowing. Hence, this aid ended up being shorter than I expected,

Next up was West Rim Trailhead. I was a bundle of nerves getting to this aid. I had been there before. And the LAST time I was there, I was thanking my lucky stars that the weather was dry as the road would be impassable wet. TODAY I was facing my fear. Get there I must. In a small Passat. With three children in tow. At least we had the runners rations in case something happened. They would have to deal.

I am kicking myself I did not stop and get pictures of the roads. All the cars ahead of me had turned around. But we braved on. So out of character for me. I am a major bad weather wuss and whiner (bet you couldnt tell that yet.)  At the time, adrenaline and survival fogged my photographer's drive. Photos?! What? I am just trying to live through the day.

Made it we did. Forget that we still had to get back out....but that was a worry for later. We made some sandwiches, and stretched our legs just in time for the guys to roll in. and the sun to come out!

As they ran on, they took the sun with them. So we put it in reverse and braved the hill climb in the mud and puddles and mud and snow and hills and MUD. 

And we got stuck, starved and died. 

Thankfully that was just a scenario that went through my mind but never came to fruition. We survived. Next stop, the GROTTO! Our favorite.

Watching their dad run behind the shuttle bus. It was great to be faster than him for a change.

 Last stop was the finish line at the East Rim. We were so glad to see these guys made it through the last obstacle. And were finally dry and warm.

 They were dry and warm, but not free of the ever loving mud.

 We were treated to a few last rays of sun as we left the park. The day was definitely an adventure.

Zion Traverse - West to East

Zion Traverse 2015 (by cody)

I thought I would put a few thoughts down now that my hands have warmed up...

This year the crazy adventure I managed to drag the family to, was the Zion Traverse.  The Zion Traverse is 48 miles from one side of Zion National Park to the other.  In our case, we went West to East (plus added a mile to see the Kolob Arch, except it was in a cloud and we could hardly see it so it was a total waste, but I'm not bitter..).  West to East is arguably the harder direction due to a 2400 foot climb at mile 40.  The weather definitely made it harder this year (I did it East to West back 2 years ago).

Enough of the monologue.  Jump straight to the pictures (all these photo's by Cody).  Actually, you might want to watch this sweet video Mike made of our day.

Early in the run (Kolob Canyon)

Notice Mike is smiling early on....

My phone got too wet and took a few hours to dry out.

West rim trail about 20 miles and quite a while later....

Starting to show some fatigue...

I love this tunnel of trees...

Wimmer tree (named after a friend Kendall Wimmer)

He likes dead trees or something.

We ran through all kinds of areas...

Clouds finally parted and we could see some views!

Now he's having fun!

West rim trail

Las Vistas!!

We even ran a mile on the road (not by choice)

Yep, this is the trail (East Rim trail)

Looking back at East Rim Trail

The Homestretch!!

Oh man, there is so much we could write about.

The Snow, the rain, and the mud.  Beth trying not to get the car stuck in the mud, Me helping with Erik's zipper (don't ask).  Mike killing himself on the East Rim Trail then promptly running out of energy and was forced to suffer to the end still an hour or more away.  Mike getting chewed out by a hiker for running on the trail (while Erik and I quickly abandoned him running away).  

Good times...

We will be back!

My watch data is found here