Alpine Ambassadors Gateway Trip - Canmore - Trail Run on Rest Day

There is a nice lollypop trail run right from the Solara Complex on out towards Cougar Creek and around the Horse Shoe trail along the flanks of Grotto Mt on the rest day from climbing.  It is a little over 5 miles with about 700' of elevation gain and I ran it in the mid afternoon leaving the Solara around 2:30.  The first 1.5 miles are on a paved path way (may be snow covered) from the Solara out to the trail head of the Horse Shoe trail.  I ran the loop counter clockwise, but clockwise would be fine too. 

The trail was completely snow covered the day I ran it.  I carried microspikes, but did not need them, as the grade of the trail is low (just one or two steeper sections that I slowed down to assure good footing) and was able to comfortably run the whole way on snow.  It was cold (about 10 F and sunny) and I wore a hat, long underwear as a base layer top and bottom, and my R1 Fleece hoody on top with medium weight gloves.  This kept me warm and about 2/3 of the way through I doffed my gloves to dump some heat.  

 The trail is mostly in the woods with occasional views out across the valley to the west. It is a popular trail and I met a couple of trail runners and a cyclist on the loop, but it would be best to run it with a partner.

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