Photographs from the Photography on the Run post: Kodiak 50 Mile 2014
Before sunrise the temps were in the high 30s and low 40s. This is Rim of the World Drive at about 7200' near Fawnskin Valley, a couple of hours into the 50 mile. (Photo @ mile 9.7/62.4)
100 miler Cameron Balma on road 2N13, about a quarter-mile past the Fawnskin aid station. (Photo @ mile 10.6/62.9)
This stretch of dirt road is near Grays Campsite and Grout Creek, below Gray Peak. This area was burned in the 14,000 acre Butler 2 Fire in September 2007. (Photo @ mile 11.0/63.7)
Yep, that road climbing up the hill is us! Snow Slide Road near Snow Slide Spring. (Photo @ mile 14.1/66.8)
This relatively short climb on Snow Slide Road was one of about six moderate climbs between the 50 mile Start and Rim Nordic. (Photo @ mile 14.5/67.1)
This year's 50 mile had fewer miles of single track on the first third of the course. This and an hour earlier start enabled runners to get to Rim Nordic earlier in the day. This is Snow Slide Road at a saddle near peak 7590. (Photo @ mile 14.9/67.5)
Andrew, Scott and Michael on a green and shaded stretch of Snow Slide Road between West Point and Green Valley. (Photo @ mile 17.6/70.2)
It looked and felt like Autumn on the climb out of Green Valley; on the way to the Little Green Valley and Rim Nordic. (Photo @ mile 20.1/72.8)
Idyllic Little Green Valley, about 1.75 miles from Rim Nordic - Camp #3. (Photo @ mile 21.2/73.9)
Jump to the other side of Hwy 18. (The food and aid at Camp #3 was excellent. Thank you!) The fence borders Snow Valley ski area and leads to an area used for snow play. (Photo @ mile 23.2/75.9)
Headed over to the top of the Camp Creek Trail. (Photo @ mile 23.5/76.2)
Your 2200' descent to Hades begins here...after a short climb. The sign says 4 miles to Bear Creek, but it's probably closer to 3. That's a Coulter Pine cone on top of the sign. (Photo @ mile 23.9/76.6)
That V-shaped cleft on the other side of the canyon is Siberia Creek. The Siberia Creek Trail ascends the terrain on the right side of the cleft. (Photo @ mile 25.2/77.8)
From a vantage point similar to the previous image, this Google Earth view shows my track up the Siberia Creek Trail on the other side of the canyon.
Bluff Peak from the Camp Creek Trail. The elevation of the summit of the peak is 7694'. The Siberia Creek Trail passes about 1/3 of a mile behind it and the Champion Lodgepole Pine aid station is ABOVE it. (Photo @ mile 25.3/77.9)
Slide Peak (7841') from the Camp Creek Trail. The summit is at the top of the Snow Valley ski area. (Photo @ mile 25.8/78.5)
Looking down at the confluence of Bear & Siberia Creeks from the Camp Creek Trail. (Photo @ mile 25.8/78.5)
From the 2013 50M. Eric Bulrice steadies the rope on the crossing over Bear Creek as a pacer goes back to grab a camera. This crossing is a crucial water stop before the approximately 7 mile, 3000' climb to the Champion Lodgepole Aid Station. (Photo @ mile 26.6/79.5)
Noah Sloan at the start of the switchbacks on the Siberia Creek Trail. This was his first time running an ultra. Congrats on your finish Noah! (Photo @ mile 27.4/80.0)
Bluff Peak from the Siberia Creek Trail. We'll eventually climb above it. (Photo @ mile 29.2/81.7)
Thank you!! (Photo @ mile 30.3/82.8)
The Camp Creek Trail descends the canyon wall in the distance just right of the center of the photo. Rim Nordic is at the dip in the skyline at the center of the photo..(Photo @ mile 31.7/84.2)
Continuing up the Siberia Creek Trail. (Photo @ mile 31.7/84.2)
The rim is getting closer! The Siberia Creek Trail reaches the rim near Bluff Lake a little less than a mile from here. (Photo @ mile 31.8/84.3)
This rock formation - known as Gunsight - is the gateway to the rim. From here the Champion Lodgepole aid station is about 1.6 miles. (Photo @ mile 32.25/84.75)
One of a number of interesting rock formations perched on the rim with some rock climbing potential. (Photo @ mile 32.6/85.1)
The reward -- running Nirvana at the top of the Siberia Creek climb.
A little more than a half-mile remains to the Champion Lodgepole aid station. (Photo @ mile 33.2/85.7)
Several miles of the Skyline Trail west of Grand View were added to the 50 mile course this year. The Skyline and Siberia Creek Trails are both spectacular. When combined they are among the most challenging, aesthetic and rewarding trails to run in Southern California. (Photo @ mile 35.8/88.3)
San Bernardino East Peak (10,691') and San Bernardino Peak (10,649') from the Skyline Trail. There's outstanding trail running up there on the San Bernardino Divide Trail. (Photo @ mile 35.9/88.5)
Sugarloaf Mountain from the Skyline Trail. The nearly 10,000' summit of Sugarloaf was the high point of the 100 mile course. It was at about mile 24.7 of the 100 mile. (Photo @ mile 36.3/88.8)
San Gorgonio Mountain (11,499'), the highest point in Southern California, from the Skyline Trail. It looks like the summit is just at cloud base. (Photo @ mile 36.3/88.9)
Clark's Summit from the Skyline Trail. San Gorgonio Mountain and the San Gorgonio Wilderness in the background. (Photo @ mile 36.4/88.9)
This perched boulder near Grand View looked like it might have some interesting rock climbing moves. As I rounded the corner I was startled by a climber folding up his crash pad and getting ready to move on to his next boulder problem. (Photo @ mile 38.8/91.4)
Meadow on 2N08 near the start of the loop on 2N17 down through Aspen Glen and back up the Pine Knot Trail. (Photo @ mile 40.0/92.6)
Butler and other peaks above Rim of the World Highway from road 2N08 above Knickerbocker Canyon. Just about down. (Photo @ mile 48.4/101.1)
The last muted rays of sunlight coat the forest in gold as I work down the final yards of fire road. It has been as enjoyable a 50 miles as I have ever run. In the distance I hear the cheers at the finish line and smile.
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