Route started at Long Swamp Campground which seems to be used more by outfitters and I was lulled to sleep the night before with hobbled and belled horses grazing out of the back of the van the night before I left. Route started up towards Windy Peak and the grade wasn't too rough but was steady. Trail was in great shape. Of course, there has been fire in the area so there was blow down but not excessive and it was manageable. I opted not to tack on any summits since the route was clocking in at just over 50 miles through some remote country and I was running solo. From Windy Pass (which was like walking on the moon) the route wound down through some GORGEOUS high meadows. Wild flowers were going off in August and it was primo timing. From there the trail linked up with the Boundary Trail which is well used and was a dream to cover ground on. Trail is in beautiful shape. Water was minimal along most of this trail so any opportunity to stop and fill up was taken. A stop in at the Tungsten Mine was a must; I could get used to that view out of my front door every day!! From there the route stayed on the Boundary trail and soon views of Cathedral Peak were available. Climbing up the pass between Cathedral and Amphitheater was stunning and the drop down the other side was nothing short of magic. Here I started to run into some people but still not many as this area doesn't see much traffic. The weather was blowing through, no rain but a cool to cold wind was present which kept me from taking a dip in the lake and likely adding some time to my route! From there the trail winds around Amphitheater and eventually tracks down the Chewuch River trail which wasn't much fun to run and had a lot of medium sized round rocks. Just the kind that make a beautiful downhill running grade really tough! Lots of bear sign in this area meant I was singing some trail songs and talking to myself a lot! Before the end of this trail a left turn onto the Cathedral Divide Trail brought me back up the last hill climb and down a section of road to camp!
