Ultra cold running in the Browns Canyon - Buena Vista, Colorado
What started out as a ski trip ended up as a few days of rest and relaxation in Buena Vista, Colorado. Between the high elevation of Monarch Mountain leading to altitude sickness, and the exceptionally cold weather the week we were there, the conditions were not ideal for family skiing. As such, we spent some days relaxing in Buena Vista at the Surf Hotel.
The Surf Hotel sits alongside the Arkansas River in the Browns Canyon. This area of the Browns Canyon is well known for activities such as whitewater rafting trips, but also mountain climbing and mountain biking. Buena Vista has also been building up a walking district around the hotel, so there are several restaurants and a city park just steps away.
Not content to read all day, I set out to explore a few of the trails nearby. While I hadn’t planned to run, I had my shoes, and I used my ski gear to run in. I don’t have standard running gear for such cold temperatures, anyway. The hotel sits directly on trails that run along the river, and just a short distance upstream and downstream are pedestrian bridges that cross the river to Midland Hill. The bridges take you to an extensive trail system through the Midland Hill area. It is here where I did a few runs in the ultra cold. Temperatures those days were in the negative 5 to 10 range Fahrenheit (-20 to -23 celsius).
The trails are made up of packed snow since I think the locals get out no matter the weather. You also get excellent views of the surrounding mountain ranges while ascending the single track through patches of trees. Stay on the lookout for animals as I saw several deer on each run.
Buena Vista is also home to several ultramarathons such as the Collegiate Peaks Trail Run and the West Line Winder, making it a great ultrarunning destination in its own right. However, there are also many other activities better for warmer temperatures such as the Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort and rafting and climbing adventures with the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center. Whatever the activity, there is a lot to explore in the Browns Canyon area.
