What: A 68K or 42M training run on the STORMY course starting and ending at Powerhouse Aid Station.
Why: After 3 years at CFA, I finally decided to take the plunge (no pun intended) and decided to give back by hosting an event. Granted, this is a Flash event, so the committent level isn't quite there yet, but depending on how things go, I'll see on making this a more regular thing.
Who: Anybody is welcome to come and doesn't mind running loops. I'm sure I'll see a Fool or two out there. You don't necessarily have to be registered for the Stormy 50/100 mile race to participate.
Where: Meet at the Powerhouse Aid Station, in Squamish, BC.
Getting there: Turn east off Hwy 99 onto the gravel Mamquam Forest Service Road. (20m South of Stawamus R. Crossing/50m S. of Valley Dr. traffic lights) Drive 5.2 km from Hwy 99 turnoff and park at the Powerhouse.
When: Saturday, May 24th at 7:00am.
Route: Baldy's Bonkfest course is three loops of the STORMY course starting at Powerhouse Aid Station via Nine Mile or Bonk Hill (Mamquam FSR), Lava Flow Hill, to Ring Creek Rip, the infamous Powerhouse Plunge, then Powerhouse Falls and ending at Powerhouse Aid Station.
This is a long, uphill slog. Stay on the main Mamquam Forest Service Road, ignoring secondary routes. This is an active forest road: traffic should be light but take care. The Mamquam River & gorge should always be to your left. At no point on this section should you be on a single track.
As the Mamquam glacier captivates you, look out for a large bridge. Cross the bridge, then go left onto the first trail (marked by a blue painted boulder) in ~250m This is the climb up lava flow hill.
After a short flat section at the top of the hill, turn left onto single track. This is the Ring Creek Rip, a long, long downhill on an old road. Pass 2 wreaked cars. When you finally come to a major fork, turn left at sign for Powerhouse Plunge (ignore right fork, signed Ring Creek Crossing)
Stay on flat trail for ~1.5km. At fork, go right onto the zigzags of the “powerhouse plunge.” Cross a wide gravel road. Go back onto single track to your left for a few hundred yards, exiting at the Powerhouse water station/info board (visited earlier) and broad trail where you turn left.
This next section should be familiar! Continue on main trail and down steep black stoned rough road. Cross the Powerhouse Bridge and go uphill to a yellow gate. At intersection, go right
Aid: Be prepared to be self-sufficient. While there may be water on the course, I wouldn't recommend drinking it, unless you have purification tablets. We should have access to our cars at the end of each loop so plan accordingly.
Entry: There is no fee and you don't need to be a member of Club Fat Ass to participate in a Flash event, however whining is not allowed. No registration is required but please indicate your participation via the comment form below. You are responsible for your own well being and safety and should be self sufficient. Please read the Release of All Claims. By participating in this event you agree to the terms of the Release of All Claims.
What time on Friday? Are you planning on camping? I may even decide to spend the entire weekend playing in Squamish. Cheryl, count me in on staying over
I have the whole day to do this. I will probably go 8-9am, do it once and maybe again in reverse. Then go to the Howe Sound Pub.
Btw does anyone know where the golf course trail from Powerhouse leads back to Brennan rec centre? And how long is the distance from Brennan to Powerhouse on that trail?
Oh, you know what? I'll just run it when I get there.
Submitted by Sibylle Tinsel on 2 April, 2008 - 13:38.
Great, Baldwin! Wendy will be very happy that there will be another Stormy training run hosted.
BTW, for your (and anybody elses convenience) in hosting and running a Stormy-CFA Flash training run, there is a course description posted at: http://www.clubfatass.com/events/TheBrick/course It should be fairly easy to copy the part you'll be running on and paste into the above page.
Comments
How to get to Powerhouse
For those of you who don't know where Powerhouse Aid station is supposed to be, I've added a new subheading: "Getting There"
I'm going on Friday to preview the trail and see if what I've posted is still current.
If you want to come, maybe we can arrange a carpool or something.
Carpool
What time on Friday? Are you planning on camping? I may even decide to spend the entire weekend playing in Squamish. Cheryl, count me in on staying over
Just a 3 hour tour
I have the whole day to do this. I will probably go 8-9am, do it once and maybe again in reverse. Then go to the Howe Sound Pub.
Btw does anyone know where the golf course trail from Powerhouse leads back to Brennan rec centre? And how long is the distance from Brennan to Powerhouse on that trail?
Oh, you know what? I'll just run it when I get there.
Perfect
How high are we going?
Thanks to Tim W's GPS, each loop will be 2050 feet in gain. So for the mathematically challenged:
1 lap = 2,050 ft.
2 laps = 4,100 ft
3 laps = 6, 150 ft
and so on...
I'm in for a lap or two.
If Gilles is going to run 100 miles...
Great, Baldwin! Wendy will
BTW, for your (and anybody elses convenience) in hosting and running a Stormy-CFA Flash training run, there is a course description posted at: http://www.clubfatass.com/events/TheBrick/course It should be fairly easy to copy the part you'll be running on and paste into the above page.