Breaking trail

I've identified my new lunch excursion for the next few months, and it's the same as what it's been for the past several months. I went over for a test run today and am happy to report that Clarks trail is just as perfect for snow running/shoeing in the winter as it is for riding in the summer. Yep, it's just as mellow and pleasant as ever for a leisurly walk as it can be for a liesurly climb on the bike. And... just as steep and cruel in it's being deceptively longer than you think, no matter how many times you've ridden/run it, when trying to move up it at a training or conditioning or race pace. We just got our first significant snow accumulation of the year and I broke trail all the way up, 6-8 inches in most spots, less on the exposed ridges where the wind could move it off, and a little more in other spots. I had the snowshoes strapped on the backpack, but never took them off and put them on, the snow was just shallow enough to still be reasonable in the boots I was wearing.

Near the Bridge at the bottom of Clarks trail...

At the large rock just after the trail turns south. Trail features are a little different in the winter. This rock and a lone pine tree were the most prominent features in the snow vs. the rock in the middle of the trail on the off camber turn, etc... in the summer.
Recognize this - absolutely you do! The little cove at the top where the trail switches back to the east. The critical spot on the trail for the rider who's pushing it, it's elusive in it's arrival, but is where the suffering finally becomes a little more bearable because you know your close. Same when jogging, or maybe walking - ok, crawling in the snow.
Home is just a bit out of the left side of the frame. Seriously, Utah's got some prime areas to call home if your into the outdoor recreation thing and want it accesible right from the front door, but not many better than the Suncrest/Corner Canyon locale. It's that good...

I'll give Clarks another go tomorrow with the snowshoes on and the Garmin and make Clarks my winter training TT route ala UtRiders cycling TT blog for what may be the premier year round fitness training trail in the valley.