FKT: Joachim Cassel - Hot Springs National Park Loop - Sunset Trail, Gulpha Gorge, Hot Springs Mountain and West Mountain - 2024-11-17

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
2h 5m 36s
Report

Hot Springs National Park is a such a hidden gem for trail running. Have always loved stopping here when I get a chance, and couldn't pass up this opportunity to let rip and have some fun on this course. Wanted to go sub-2, which should easily be doable, but I'm still on the up and up post-UTMB and felt kinda tired this morning. Fallen leaves made some of the descents a little treacherous, and the final climb before heading back into town was tough, but all in all this is an incredibly runnable route and a great spot to test yourself. I think maybe going CCW is the ticket - you'll spend longer climbing to the high point, but you get some of the tougher sections out of the way early and can then just bomb it for the final 5k. Excited for when I have an opportunity to come back and push this a little harder!