FKT: Connor DeJager - Upper Big Cottonwood Canyon Traverse - 2023-09-28

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
6h 26m 22s
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Carried a water filter and a bunch of bars. I was solo the whole time, although I did pass a bunch of people out enjoying the colors. 

Started cold, ears and hands were suffering. I filtered 2L water at Desolation lake - since I knew the next source wasn't going to be until Lake Mary 14 miles later. The run along the ridge between Park City and Big Cottonwood was incredible, very yellow aspens and the trail was nice and smooth because of mountain bikers. Speaking of, there were a TON of MTBers who had gotten dropped off at Guardsman and were riding down the other way towards Millcreek.

I hit Guardsman, took a dump at the pit toilet, and pounded some electrolytes. The trail up to peak 10420 and Clayton are not maintained. I hit the hight point and dropped down onto the Brighton cat tracks. I had to reference my GPS a lot as to not take the wrong trail, which I still did - I accidentally went up to Lake Mary when you are supposed to cut across the creek before you get to the water. I had to double back, as you can probably see from the GPX. 

My legs felt very heavy as I left Brighton. Climbed up past Solitude was treated to a beautiful view of LCC. Ran along the ridge, past Davenport hill, then at long last dropped into Days fork. I don't remember this part very well, because my book was quite interesting and I was trying to disassociate from the pain in my legs. The day ended with a slog down the road from Spruces back to Mil D where I had parked. Slapping the hood of my car was euphoric.