MTN RNR Mountain Trail Series

Mesa to Mesa 50K

2011-12-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

This Saturday we're hoping to end the year with a running of the Mesa to Mesa 50K that we couldn't have in November due to a snowstorm. I'm thinking that the snow up on the mesas (San Juan and Cat) shouldn't be too bad and there will certainly be no snow in Ponderosa, the turnaround point.
Running it will be me, Deb and our friend Kevin, if anyone is interested in joining us, email me at ultrastevep@gmail.com so I know how much water to put at the turnaround tomorrow.

To learn any details of this run, look at previous posts in this blog.

Happy New Year! Let's hope we have a great MTNRNR schedule for 1012 and also have many runners show up!

Steve

Battleship Rock Trail Marathon... possibly cancelled.

2011-11-03T08:44:00.000-06:00

The first annual Battleship Rock Trail Marathon is supposed to be run this coming Saturday morning, but I am thinking of cancelling due to the fact that I have not received one definite RSVP and with the potential for bad weather, do not think driving Rte 4 on icy roads is a good idea.

Here is the official NWS forecast for our neck of the woods at 8200':

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. West wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

That sounds cold and wet, which means ice. The roads up here get pretty bad and the forecast is for possible snow Friday night, but also cold weather (mid 30's) and rain/snow for Saturday...I don't want to be responsible for anyone going over the edge of the road, dropping into the canyon. So our plan is to "not" purchase any food for the post run get together and if anyone does show up, well just have a fun run, which is typical of a MTNRNR event anyway. Maybe we can find a way to reschedule the event for a better weather slot in the summer next year. We attempted to have this run (Mesa to Mesa 50K) in 2006 and it was cancelled due to a 3 foot snowstorm several days before.

Thanks,
Steve
ultrastevep@gmail.com

Mesa to Mesa 50K now the Battleship Rock Trail Marathon!!!

2011-10-25T17:00:00.002-06:00

Same date, November 5th...same time, 8:00am.

Reason for change, there is a prescribed burn scheduled for up in the area where the M2M50K was planned to be run, so we had this backup run thought out just in case. The burn was supposed to begin on October 17th, but it hasn't yet, but could anyday and we can't wait. You certainly don't want to run in smoke, do you?

The Battleship Rock Trail Marathon will be much more enjoyed and was what we were planning for next year, but decided to go ahead with it this year. The BRTM is run on mostly single track trails with some dirt roads in the last 5 miles for those tired legs. The measured distance is 27.4 miles, but there will be 2 bailout options, one at approx. 8.5 miles and the other at approx. 18.5 miles.

Bird's eye view of our house location

The run begins at our house in the Sierra Los Pinos neighborhood in NE Jemez Springs. Our house sits at about 8150', the run goes up to 8638' and has over 5000' of gain in the marathon.

Starting at the house, you will run along some dirt roads for about a mile and will then hop on some single track trail onto Trail #137, which is the East Fork Trail. You will run to and through the Jemez Falls campground, down to Battleship Rock. Along the way you will go by the Macauley Warm springs. From the JF campground it drops down to BR on some steep single track with some small hills here and there. You'll then turn around (there will be someone there to check you in and provide aid) and run/hike back up the steep climb to the campground, run across the parking lot, following trail #137 across the Jemez River (yes, there's a bridge) back to where you entered it and someone will direct you to continue on the trail, which you will follow across Rte 4 down to Las Conchas trailhead on Rte 4. This is across the highway from where the Las Conchas fire started last August, but we will not be running into any of the burn area.
From there you run back the 5 miles to where you first entered trail #137 and will follow a series of dirt roads (FR135) to the Caldwell Trail, which is a steep hike up onto Cat Mesa. Up on Cat Mesa you will take a left and follow the dirt forest road to a cattle guard on your left, where you will join FR10 and run the switchbacks down the hill for about 1.5 miles. There you will take a left onto Ashley Lane to FR135 and back to the house.

Here are a couple of links to the route:
MapMyRun... http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/55692092/
or Dailymile... http://www.dailymile.com/routes/911962-running-route

From either of these you can download a GPX file for your GPS or print a map. I'll try to have some maps available and also some printed directions, but we'll try to mark the course with ribbon and flour arrows at critical turns we're not going to be at.

There will be a bottle of Ponderosa wine for the first male and first female finisher of the marathon. There will also be a post run gathering/BBQ. We will provide some unhealthy hamburgers and hot dogs, so if you are liking something a little better, bring it and I'll throw it on the grill for you. Also feel free to bring something to add on the table. We'll have the meat and some chips, Deb may make a salad if she gets the time...also bring what you like to drink. If you have too much of that, you are welcome to stay overnight...we have plenty of floorspace! We also have three showers, so bring your shower things and some clean clothes. Alos bring your camp chair if you want to sit out on the deck...

107 Bonito Way

Our house is at 107 Bonito Way, Jemez Springs. Our telephone number is 575-829-4282, my cell is 505-695-1151, which doesn't work at the house, but you can call me during the week.

For directions from ABQ, come up Rte 550 to Rte 4 and drive up to just beyond MP33. (Be careful of the 2 speed traps, one in the Jemez Pueblo (30mph) and the other in Jemez Springs (25mph). Take a right onto FR10 down the hill to Hovenweep. Take a right and at the top of the hill after the road curves to the left, take a left onto Bonito Way. There is plenty of parking in our driveway, just swing over to the left.
Coming from the East just follow Rte 4 west until after MP34, you will see a 45MPH sign, then some mailboxes on the right, FR10 is across from those.

Party central, our back deck

If you think you are coming, please let us know so we have an idea how many to expect.
ultrastevep@gmail.com or mtnrunner02@gmail.com.

Thanks,
Steve and Deb

2011 Sandia Crossing Results

2011-10-20T09:08:00.001-06:00

Results are posted via the link in the right-hand column.

Missing Items from the Sandia Crossing

2011-10-18T15:40:00.002-06:00

We still have some clothing items that need to get back to runners of the crossing. Please e-mail me at y9461@netzero.com and describe what you are missing.
Weather was great, 28 finishers, no major injuries.
Thanks, Mike D.

Mesa to Mesa 50K

2011-10-11T14:05:00.001-06:00

Our cabin in the woods

107 Bonito Way

Just wanted to send out a reminder that on November 5th Deb and I will be hosting the Mesa to Mesa 50K. The run is planned to start at 8am, which begins and ends at our house in Sierra Los Pinos in the Jemez. Our address is 107 Bonito Way in Jemez Springs and is located at around MP33 on Route 4.
The plan is to have a post run get together with a BBQ, so if you have anything you'd like to throw on the grill, bring it. Otherwise we'll just have the usual inexpensive fare like Hamburgers and hot dogs. Deb and I are mostly vegetarians, so will also have some good quality veggie burgers. Bring what you'd like to drink and anyone is welcome to stay the night, bring a sleeping bag, we have plenty of floor space.
A bottle of Ponderosa wine to the first male and female finishers.

As for the run details, we will leave our house and head down the dirt hill to FR10, follow that up to the cattle guard about 2 miles and go over to FR 269 down San Juan Mesa (very runnable and mostly downhill, miles 3-15) to 290 through Ponderosa to Bridge Rd. This is around 15/16 miles. You'll then follow Bridge Rd up on Cat Mesa (almost all mild uphill on dirt road) to the Caldwell Trail (steep single track trail downhill at mile 30) to FR 135 and back to our house. The distance measures 33 miles on MapMyRun and here is the link http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/54012440. From this you can get a GPX to load onto your GPS or print a map. Deb and I will be doing a little course marking on difficult turns, but it's pretty straight forward. We'll also drop water at around mile 3, mile 15/16 and mile 30, so you'll need to carry a good amount of water. If we can, we'll put water in the section between 16 and 30, but no guarantees.There is no water up on the mesas to treat!
We're planning on doing a practice run/course marking on Oct 29th and will send out a report after that on trail conditions, course marking to be expected, etc.

There's a possibility that there might be a prescribed burn on Cat Mesa at this time and if so we will have an alternate route rather than choke on smoke. The alternate will mostly be the Battleship Rock Marathon, which is another run we've conjured up for the MTNRNR series. Starting at Battleship Rock on Rte 4, we'll follow the trail (Trail# 137, East Fork Trail) to Las Conchas and back. The first 6 miles or so are uphill, then rolling single track to the East Fork of the Jemez River, following that trail along the Jemez to the Rte 4 intersection at Las Conchas and back, which means a nice 6 mile downhill at the end. We're guessing it's around 26 miles, so thus a marathon. We'd then either go back to our house for a get together or have that at the Battleship Rock parking area, where they have fire pits for cooking. I'll know after the 29th or sooner whether we'll need to make this change or not.

You can contact me at ultrastevep@gmail.com or my cell phone is 505-695-1151, home phone is 575-829-4282. There is no cell service after passing the Jemez Pueblo if coming from the West or after leaving Los Alamos, if coming from the East.
If you remember to, let us know you're coming so we can plan in advance.
Thanks,
Steve and Deb Pero

Where the post run party will be

2011 Sandia Crossing

2011-09-09T13:28:00.000-06:00

See new links in the right-hand column for 2011 Sandia Crossing information. Thanks to Tom Kirchgessner for organizing this run and providing the interesting history.

--David

Reverse Santa Barbara Loop on Sat, Aug. 20

2011-08-17T08:42:00.000-06:00

We will be departing the Santa Barbara Campground around 7:30am for a reverse run of the Santa Barbara Loop (with an ascent of North Truchas Peak). About 30mi. Call or email if we should expect other runners (dkcoblentz@yahoo.com, 505-412-8304).

Three Peaks

2011-08-13T21:34:00.002-06:00

Today ran three peaks....just me and the dogs. Where are all the runners that are missing out on these fantastic runs?
The run started out sunny and warm, but ended up in the middle of some nasty storms. Marley and Gibbs, my dogs and I made it to just below the Baldy Summit when I saw a lightening strike up near the top, so we turned around. I was getting really cold anyway and it was windy up there. So I'm guessing I ran a mile less than the 20 mile total in 5:27. It was hard, but a great workout.

As I was running down the paved road in the beginning, Mike Donovan drove up and said he got a late start but would try to catch me. An injury and deteriorating weather caused him to bail at the ski slope on the top of the road.

Photos here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ultrastevep/82011ThreePeaksRun

Up next is the Silverton Silver next Saturday....will anyone show? I can't even get the RD to respond to my emails!
Steve Pero
ultrastevep@gmail.com

Three Peaks

2011-08-10T09:59:00.006-06:00

Three Peaks will be run this Saturday, Aug 13th, starting at 9am. The reason for the 9am start is I was asked to RD this run because Kris is sick and I'm driving there from up in the Jemez and have a 2 hour drive.

Details are below, Below is a link to a map, you can get the GPS waypoints from that link. I'll also print out several maps. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/45480682

Here is a link to a Google Earth view of the run

Not sure about what those water locations are, but I won't be dropping water. They are possibly creeks that you can draw from, I'll have my Steripen with me if you run with me and my dogs. Starting at 9 we should still be off the mountain before the storms move in, if not we can drop down early if it looks dangerous.

See you there!
Steve Pero
ultrastevep@gmail.com

Here are some details from Kris Kern:
Start at Windsor Trail head in the Ski Basin Parking Lot. Run down the
paved road to the Aspen Vista Trail Head (large parking area on left of
road), approx 2 mi. Follow dirt road from Aspen Vista TH to top of Ski
Area, approx 6 mi. Just after the road passes under the chair lift it
makes a sharp switchback to the right and heads to the radio towers. At
this switchback, leave the road and continue straight (north) staying high
and connecting to the trail in the woods (do not follow the cat track that
goes off to the left and down - stay on the ridge). This trail will go
above treeline and follow the ridge to Deception Peak.

From Deception Peak, continue North across the knife edge to Lake
Peak.There are multiple options. You can stay on the ridge and boulder
hop. I take the trail that drops on the east side and skirts the ridge,
climbing back on the lake peak side. From Lake Peak, follow the trail east
to the saddle under Penetente. The trail traverses east, but leave the
trail at the saddle and go cross country directly to the peak. From the
peak, continue cross country north regaining the trail before tree line.
Continue on the trail to Puerto Nambe and the intersection with Windsor
Trail. Turn left on Windsor and follow about 1/2 mi to the intersection of
the trail to Baldy. Do and out and back to the Top of Baldy. Then follow
Windsor back to the TH. Short option is to skip Baldy.

Low elevation: 9800 ft. High elevations: Lake Peak - 12409 ft.
Penitente Peak - 12160 ft. Santa Fe Baldy - 12622 ft.
Water: 2, 9, 13, 17 mi.
Records: Male: Leo Torres 2:56:56(92)
Male Master: Leo Torres 3:19:55 (95)
Female: Katie Gengler 3:46:00(98)
Female Master: Ginny LaForme 4:26:59(95)

San Pedro Parks

2011-08-06T18:59:00.000-06:00

Today we ran the San Pedro Parks run, about 15 miles up in the Jemez Mountains and around 10 miles east of Cuba, NM.
It was only me, Deb and Jim Breyfogle of Rio Rancho, NM (and Gibbs and Marley, our dogs). Deb and I pretty much hiked the whole thing with short burst of running in 4.5 hours, while Jim did a different version than we did in about 2:50. Jim thinks he did more than 15 miles by a couple of miles...

Photos can be seen here: https://picasaweb.google.com/ultrastevep/82011SanPedroParks

Steve & Deb Pero

San Pedro Parks Run on Sat

2011-08-01T11:14:00.000-06:00

Steve Pero will be leading this run (THANKS Steve!) -- meet at the San Gregorio Trailhead at 8am. Steve will have copies of the map. Basically, Trail 51 (Las Vacas Trail) -> Trail 50 (Palomas Trail) -> Trail 436 (Damian Trail) -> return to San Gregorio Trailhead.

To get to the San Gregorio Trailhead, take FS 70 ~2.75 miles north from 126 (just east of Cuba).

I need to pick up my son Kai from camp on Saturday so I won't be able to make the run. I will, however, be running something (Santa Barbara Loop?) in the Sangres on Friday. Email if you'd like to join me on Friday.

--David

No Conejos Peak this weekend -- Latir Peak instead!

2011-07-27T06:35:00.000-06:00

Due to scheduling issues we will be running Latir Peak instead of Conejos Peak this weekend. We plan to start around 8am at the trail head. Since Cabresto trail head is closed for work on the reservoir this summer, we will start near mile marker 11 on FS Rd 134 where there is a nice trial head with parking. Trail No. 81.

Should be about 15mi roundtrip, 4000' elevation gain.

Email or call if you are interested.

Continue forest closure

2011-07-18T11:13:00.000-06:00

Due to continued Santa Fe Nat. Forest closure, the Skyline Trail Run this weekend is cancelled.

Information about the Conejos Peak Run planned for 30 July will be posted next Monday. I need to check if the forest is still open up there - I think it is.

d.

Skyline Update

2011-07-13T05:58:00.000-06:00

Unless we get some rain by next weekend I fear the Skyline Run will need to be canceled.

I'll post early next week with the go/no-go word.

Hope you all are finding some trails to run on. It's pretty bleak out there!

d.

Skyline Run Details

2011-07-06T12:46:00.000-06:00

The Skyline Run will be on Friday, July 22nd. The start will be at the Santa Barbara Campground and end at the Santa Fe Ski Hill (assuming we will have trail access by the end of July). The distance will be about 35 miles. We have chosen this alternative route to facilitate logistics - it will still capture the most spectacular sections of the Skyline Trail. Note that we are running on Friday instead of Saturday. Call or email if interested

Q is cancelled

2011-05-25T05:59:00.002-06:00

This from Andrea:

Just wanted to let you know that I will not be hosting the Q50K this weekend. INSTEAD, I am looking at either June 4th or June 11th, and wanted to get your opinion/feedback.
If anyone wants to do the Watermelon 20 loop this weekend, y’all have the map already.
My apologies for the change in schedule.
Let me know if one of the two following weekends are interesting to you.

Andrea
andrea@tenacity.net

Caballo Mountain Run this Saturday

2011-05-11T14:37:00.000-06:00

For those who are not trail marking with Tom and are planning on getting in a good run, this Saturday is the Caballo Run. I have mapped it out as 28.5 miles, which means it's more like 29 miles. Here's the link to the map with elevation, etc. http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/34034534

We will meet at the Los Alamos Aquatic Center at 7am and I am planning on dropping water at a convenient place, maybe where the Pipeline trail comes down and intersects the Perimeter trail (about 22.5 miles). So you'll need to carry water to get you that far.

This is a difficult run with over 5000' of elevation gain and loss with the 10, 400' climb up and back down Caballo Mountain. I'm guessing it will take me and Deb 7.5-8 hours to complete this.

Hope you can join us!
Steve
505-695-1151

Pajarito Mountain Run Sat, April 23

2011-04-18T06:17:00.000-06:00

The Pajarito Mountain Run is this Sat., April 23rd. A group of us will be starting at 6am instead of the listed 8am. Come early if a daybreak run sounds appealing. ~20mi. Meet at the Los Alamos Ice Rink.

David

Watermelon Run is on

2011-03-24T11:09:00.000-06:00

This from Andrea Feucht:

You are receiving this email because you have either contacted me THIS YEAR about the Watermelon Run, or you have expressed interest before. It is not a huge list, so pass on the love to your friends, and if you can RSVP to me that is MUCH APPRECIATED.

4/2/2011: Watermelon Run in the Sandia Foothills and Sandia Crest – 20.x miles of roly-poly, UP, roly-downy, DOWN, and then flat.

Here is the map, to get yourselves acquainted: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/7314097

LOCATION: The farthest possible Pino-side parking lot of the loop-de-loop of the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area. On the map it’s the little START arrow. If I remember correctly there are bathrooms there. Bring a couple bucks in case they make you pay to park.

Start time is SEVEN AM: 7 a.m. Arrive at least by 6:45. I want to have most of you outta here shortly after noon before it is hot for too long.

NO AID PROMISED: bring your water, snackies, and sunscreen. I will try to have both beverages and snacks at the finish, but if my brain leaks out of my ears during my Organic Chem midterm I cannot be held responsible for your hunger. J Besides, fasting is good for you.

Cheers!

Andrea

2011 (Tentative) Schedule posted

2011-02-25T16:03:00.001-07:00

See link on the right. This is a tentative schedule; check back for updates/revisions.

David

Trampas - San Leonardo Loop -- Revisted -- Sunday, Oct. 24th

2010-10-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

We will be running the TSL loop this Sunday; planning to be at the Trampas Trailhead at 8am. We will linger/look for others if you send me an email ....

Santa Barbara Run Cancelled

2010-10-12T13:08:00.001-06:00

NOTE: The Santa Barbara Loop - Scheduled for Oct. 16 is canceled. However,Sean Cunniff scunniff@gmail.com is interested in RDing. Please email him/me if others are still planning on doing this run.

Sandia Crossing Results and Trampas this Saturday

2010-09-30T08:17:00.000-06:00

Sandia Crossing results!

And Trampas/Leonardo Lake Run on Saturday. Brian and I will be leaving the Cities of Gold Casino at 7am -- should be starting the run at the Trampas trailhead sometime after 8am. Email me if you plan to join the run.

Sandia Crossing Plans

2010-08-24T15:51:00.000-06:00

See the link in the Schedule (in right column) for directions to the start/finish.
We will be organizing a car shuttle between the start and finish. Email me (dkcoblentz@yahoo.com) if you liked more information.

David

Arriba! NM run cancelled.

2010-06-17T06:03:00.000-06:00

FYI, Charlie Thorn will not be able to RD the Arriba! NM run this weekend so it's cancelled (unless any runners want to do it "off the record")

Stone Lions Run, Friday May 7th

2010-05-03T11:26:00.001-06:00

A map for the Stone Lions Run (Friday, May 7th) and be found through the Maps links on the right...

Contact Dave Dixon for more details about this run.

Boundary Peak Run - Sunday, May 2nd

2010-04-27T08:19:00.003-06:00

A last-minute run addition. Final tune-up for the Jemez Mountain Runs. 24mi Boundary Peak Run, Sunday May 2nd. 6400 feet climbing. Fun.

Meet 7am, Ponderosa Campground.

Ponderosa -> Frijoles Canyon -> Alamo Canyon -> Capulin Canyon -> Boundary Peak -> Stone Lions -> Lower Alamo -> Lumis Canyon -> Frijoles Rim -> Upper Crossing -> Ponderosa.

Done by noon?

David Coblentz, dkcoblentz@yahoo.com, 505-412-8304.

Watermelon Run on Sat April 3rd is very likely cancelled/postponed due to snow

2010-03-29T15:54:00.000-06:00

Note: All runner thinking about the Watermelon Run this coming Saturday, April 3rd should contact Andrea Fuecht - it's very likely the run will be postponed due to the heavy snow pack on the Crest.

Update - March 17th 2010

2010-03-17T09:29:00.001-06:00

A brief update on the running calendar.

-- The Coblentz family made the epic trek into Copper Canyon for this year's 50mi run with the Tarahumara. The Race Report can be found at the bottom of the list to the right --> .

-- Keep in mind the Watermelon Run on Sat. April 3rd. Be sure to email Andrea Fuecht about details - might be a bit of snow at the top!

-- The MTS runs begin in earnest in April; keep the calendar in mind.

Cheers,
David