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December Winter Conditioning Runs: 4-6 miles - Coal Creek Natural Area

Field trip: Winter Trail Running Conditioning Series

December Winter Conditioning Runs: 4-6 miles - Coal Creek Natural Area

Winter Trail Running Conditioning Course runs from 4-6 miles. You will need to complete 2 course runs per month over Dec, Jan and Feb to graduate.

Contacts

Amalija Kopac
Amalija Kopac
Primary Leader
  • Easy
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 5.1 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 775 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 639 ft
  • Pace: avg 4 mph

Meet at 6:30 am at Coal Creek Natural Area (Coal Creek Parkway between Forest Drive SE and SE 60th Street) parking lot. Following introductions, description of route and current trail conditions, plan to start running by 6:40 am. No passes required. Portable toilet available at trailhead.

Cooridnates: 47.55423913810853, -122.1664170850555

Stepping into Coal Creek Natural Area is like stepping into the past. Immersed under a treed canopy without a house in sight, the park echoes of the wildness that once covered this area. You can almost hear clanging coal cars as you wander through the second growth forests.

We will follow a clockwise loop for ~4 miles total distance with 1,120 ft elevation gain, following the Wilderness Whittaker Peak trail. We will look to do an avg pace of 4 mph: moderate to fast (depending on group comfort) hike uphill and 4.5-5.0 mph straighaway and downhill. Please bring headlamp since we will be starting in the dark!

For a complete description of  trail running with the Mountaineers, please consult the Trail Running Standards.

Gaia route: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.3/-122.1700/47.5520&pubLink=MgK1Hl01KhNnvzPu27wYETuk&trackId=dc2cf28e-7f61-4a1d-aec1-6b07982cf7c4

City of Bellevue area map: https://bellevuewa.gov/sites/default/files/media/pdf_document/trail_guide_coal_creek_natural_area.pdf

Full details will be sent soon after registration closes on Dec 12. In the interim, please contact the leader with any questions at amalija.kopac@gmail.com.

Route/Place

Coal Creek Natural Area

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Please wear layers of breathable, technical clothing suitable for outdoor aerobic activities for this course's activities.

  • Waterproof jacket, hat, buff, gloves, sunglasses; running-specific gaiters recommended
  • Warm mid-weight layer (e.g. down vest or wool long sleeve)
  • Trail running shoes
  • A small day pack suitable for trail running
  • Bring snacks and water
  • Trail running-adapted ten essentials
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
Trip Reports