Field trip: Winter Trail Running Conditioning Series
January Winter Conditioning Runs: 5-7 miles - Squak Mountain: May Valley Access
Winter Trail Running Conditioning Course runs from 5-7 miles. You will need to complete 2 course runs per month over Dec, Jan and Feb to graduate.
Contacts
- Tue, Jan 2, 2024
- Foothills Trail Running Committee
- Trail Running
- Adults
- Moderate
- Moderate
- Mileage: 6.6 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,941 ft
- High Point Elevation: 2,045 ft
- Pace: avg 3.5 mph
- 8 (8 capacity)
- 1 (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Meet at 6:00 am at Squak Mountain State Park trailhead just off of SE May Valley Road at the south end of the park. Following introductions, description of route and current trail conditions, plan to start running at 6:10 am. Outhouse in parking lot. Discover Pass required.
Directions: The park is located just south of Issaquah. Exit I-90 at Exit 15 and turning southbound on Issaquah-Renton Road, drive 4 miles, then turn left on the May Valley Road. Drive 2.5 miles to the Squak Mountain State Park parking lot (21500 May Valley Road) on the left.
On this run, we will see the Bullitt Fireplace and Squak Central Peak.
We will follow a clockwise loop for ~6 1/2 miles total distance with 1,941 ft elevation gain, following the May Valley Loop and Bullitt Gorge and Buillitt Fireplace trails. We will stop for a pic and snack at the Bullitt Fireplace, then continue on to the Central Peak and turn south at Squak Mountain Road SE to Phil's Connector and the Equestrian Loop. We will look to do an avg pace of 3.5 mph: moderate hike uphill and 4.5-5.0 mph on 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.
King County Squak Map: https://aqua.kingcounty.gov/gis/web/VMC/recreation/BCT_CougarSquakTiger_brochure.pdf
Full details will be soon after registration closes on Dec 31. In the interim, please contact the leader with any questions at nsemez@gmail.com.
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