After just a week in the Eastern Sierra I needed to return to Colorado in time for an appointment I really kind of needed to keep. I wasn't really ready to leave sunny mild Mammoth as I got up early Sunday morning for a run. I laced up my shoes and left the Forest Service Shady Rest Campground for a series of newly paved bike paths.
I started slowly heading south of town making an arching loop through brush, sage and just a few trees past a viewpoint and to a park. The path continued on and west into forested Old Mammoth where it gave way to a quiet paved road. From there it was a steady steepening climb up to Twin Lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. I relocated a paved path at Tamarack Lakes and enjoyed a nice smooth gradual downhill route leading me back to the campground for a total run of 1 hour 20 minutes.
When I lived in Mammoth 15 years ago, aside of fall running camps consisting of High School and College teams, I felt like the lone runner. There wasn't much if any kind of a running community living in Mammoth. Area races were small and aside of a few locals they would attract people who happened to be in town on vacation. I had one running friend in Bishop who I'd train with on occasion. I really had no one to run with or even talk about running. In the winter I was absolutely the only runner in Mammoth and spent most of my training time on cross country skis.
In my two years of living there I ran trails and quiet roads between Mammoth and Bishop. Bishop is only about 40 miles away at much lower elevation with a mild winter climate that sees little snow. By time I learned the area I figured it was probably one of the best places in America for a runner to train. I couldn't believe elite runners weren't taking advantage of it. I even posted on an online running message board what I had discovered. Trails, Benton Crossing Road, Round Valley, Etc.
I'm not taking any credit because I know college coaches had already been clued in due to running camps, however, since I've left Mammoth it's become widely known as one of the best places for a distance runner to train in the USA. Many of this years Olympians spent time training in Mammoth and several live there. I've never been anywhere near Olympic caliber but I took my running fairly seriously at one time. It's cool to see.
After the Sunday morning run I drove west into Nevada and through a dust storm near Tonapah. In Ely I took the business route to check out the once vibrant main street turned depressed rows of vacant buildings, faded signs, and broken neon. Tired hotels offer $160 weekly rate and casinos look dark and empty. My father and I visited Ely on a trip out west when I was a young kid. It was an interesting place in 1970's but now it looks tired. Kept alive by what little remains in mining and businesses along the main highway pushing fast food, gas, and accommodation. Your over 100 miles away from any other services so its a must stop for pretty much anyone passing through.
Not too far from Ely is Great Basin National Park. It's a relatively small park with a nice 13,000 foot peak, a few lakes, nice trees, and good views. I located a nice campsite near a stream and out of the gusty wind. I felt very comfortable there and rested for the next days drive into Denver.
Whereas Nevada is full of vast open areas with desert mountains Utah offers desert landscape. Known for it varied red rock canyons and multi colored soil under blue skies and with a mix of cloud the scenery often looks unreal. Utah has the most amazing desert landscape in my opinion. It's never a bore to drive across.
Feeling a little tired I exited onto some BLM land and hiked up a small read dirt hill for a quick view. I noticed the door to my gas tank was open. Damn! Left my gas cap about a 80 miles back when I filled up in Salina. I solved the problem in the next town where I was shocked to find an auto parts store. $10 and the problem was solved.
By time I entered the mountains of Colorado it was raining heavily. I've driven from Glenwood Springs to Denver numerous times under so many weather conditions I think I could do it with my eyes closed. As I neared the Eisenhower tunnel at 11,000 feet the clouds parted a bit and revealed a vibrant Rainbow before me. I fumbled with my camera and took a photo being careful to stay in my lane while driving.
The other side of the tunnel was much worse. Heavy rain with lots of water on the road. A truck passed dangerously fast. I gave a wide berth and truck slowed. Everyone slowed. Eventually I arrived in Denver with skies clearing feeling like the trip was coming to an end and missing the Sierra.
Out of all of the places I've visited this summer I definitely connected with the Sierra the most. Its left quite an impression. At the very least I will return next summer, however, I'm tempted to return sooner. Something about the area clicked for me. I seemed to hit it off with just about everyone I met. Kindred spirits of sorts. Sure you've got the young skier boarder crowd but you also have a wide variety of people, mostly from Southern California, either living there full time, part time, or weekends and holidays. The summers are divine but the winters can get a ton of snow. The good thing is that the winters rarely see extreme cold and there is usually a fair amount of sun.
Oh well, you never really know with me. I could just as easily wind up in Houston, Hawaii, or some country you have never heard of for the winter. I'll just have to see. Thanks to staying with friends and family in various locations along with camping I've managed to keep summer expenses low. Taco Bell, Subway sandwiches, and simple meals over my camp stove have kept food costs to a minimum. My only real expense has been gas. Nonetheless, work will once again become a necessity before too long and I'm ready to try something different to reel in some dollars.
My thought process is shifting. No need to talk anymore about what I'm going to do. I think I'll just talk about what I'm doing.
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