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December Winter Conditioning Runs: 4-6 miles - Cougar Mountain: Big Tree Ridge

Field trip: Winter Trail Running Conditioning Series

December Winter Conditioning Runs: 4-6 miles - Cougar Mountain: Big Tree Ridge

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

Jennifer Bell
Jennifer Bell
Primary Leader
  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 5.85 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,611 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 1,496 ft
  • Pace: avg 3.5 mph

Meet at 5:00 pm in Formula Brewery parking lot (1875 NW Poplar Way - Issaquah). Following introductions, description of route and current trail conditions, plan to start running at 5:10 pm. 

Coordinates: 47.54984, -122.06763

This route will cover the Big Tree Ridge Trail up to Cougar Mountain peak.

We will follow an out & back for ~6 miles total distance with 1,610 ft elevation gain. We will look to do an avg pace of 3.5 mph: moderate hiking pace on the uphill sections and 4.5-5.0 mph on straightaway and downhill sections. Goal is for everyone to run at a conversational pace, which means you can talk in complete sentence without gasping for air, can easily breath through your nose, and have an average heart rate typically less than 140 (75% of max heart rate).  Shouldn't be huffing and puffing. 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=13.4/-122.1034/47.5406&pubLink=qggPgKmGpb2M26vcgCxoED40&trackId=59a2c1496d12f7f80c265674c1094b07

Strava route: Link Here

King County Parks map: https://aqua.kingcounty.gov/gis/web/VMC/recreation/BCT_CougarMtn_brochure.pdf

Full details will be available soon after registration closes on December 2. In the interim, please contact the leader with any questions at bell.jennifer.lee@gmail.com.

Route/Place

Cougar Mountain: Big Tree Ridge Trailhead

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,
  • 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