+ Thursday night run: South Table Mtn (T=3, P=2, N=4)**

+ Saturday Evergreen Runners Circle run: Elk Meadow, lower lot (T=3, P=2-5, N=2)**

+ Tue morning runs: South Table Mtn (T=3, P=2, N=4)**

+ Help for compartment syndrome

+ Races, clinics and other upcoming events

This Thursday evening's run is at South Table Mtn (T=3, P=2, N=4)**. The main group will start at 6:15pm. An early group usually starts around 5:30pm; look for Scott, Ray, Connie or Kim.

Meet at the NREL visitors' lot. Take I-70 to Denver West Blvd. Go north to the first street. Turn left. Go 2 blocks to the NREL lot. From 6th ave, exit at Indiana. Go north to Colfax. Turn right and continue past the shopping center on the left. Turn left at Denver West Marriott Blvd. Go over I-70 and follow the directions above. There are no bathrooms or changing facilities at this site. You can try the nearby Denver West Shopping Center or Marriott Hotel.

This is a fairly easy run - it's a short trip to the top of the mountain and the top is fairly flat, although it can be rocky in spots. However, finding the route can be difficult. There are few landmarks and NO trail signs. Please review the map and read the directions below. On the run, pay attention to critical junctions on your way out so that you'll recognize them on the way back.

Route (red line): Head up the single track from the lot. Take a left about 200 yards up. Follow the trail to the top, then continue to the north side of the plateau, staying outside of the paved CDOT test track. At the north end, go left, west, on the old jeep road. You've gone just under 1-mile so far. REMEMBER THIS TURN FOR THE WAY BACK! We'll try to mark this turn with rocks.*

Follow the jeep trail to the west. At no time should you cross the paved CDOT test track. If you get there by mistake, head north until you find the trail. You will pass by an E-W fence line, cross a N-S fence line, then look for a small abandoned building on the right. A short distance later, the trail starts up a small hill, then splits.* REMEMBER THIS TURN FOR THE WAY BACK! Go either way (we generally stay right on the way out). Follow the trail around the small hill. Continue west after the two trails merge, until you reach a larger, abandoned, jeep road. REMEMBER THIS TURN FOR THE WAY BACK! Bear right and head west towards the power lines. In the dark, head towards the lighted "M" on Lookout Mtn. Depending on time, continue past the power lines, down the hill to the far western edge of the plateau, then up the "Golden Stairs," a rock perch overlooking the town of Golden.* Return the same way.

Faster runners may want to follow the longer route (purple line): Just after the start of the jeep road, go right. Follow the trail out to the northern edge. The trail curves west, and then south. There are two options. For a longer run, near the apex of the plateau, take a right back to the west, then follow the trail down the hill to the "Golden Stairs." Return via the main route (red line). Or, continue south (green line) until you reach the jeep road. Then go left, east, and return via the main route.

* Regrouping points. Please wait for new runners.

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This Saturday's Evergreen Runners Circle (ERC) run is at Elk Meadow, lower lot (T=3, P=2-5, N=2)**. The run starts promptly at 8:30am.

Take the Evergreen Parkway, hwy 74, exit 252 from I-70. Continue through Bergen Park ~4.5 mi. Just after you pass Elk Meadow on your right, turn right at the light at the bottom of the hill, turn right onto Lewis Ridge Rd., then an immediate right into the dirt lot.

The ERC runs are usually 60-90 minutes long. Occasionally, some people will start early, or run longer, to get in more mileage. They usually go out for coffee/breakfast afterwards. Several of us do the ERC runs, but I don't organize them. Please forward your questions to Dave via the ERC link below. For more info about the ERC schedules, go to:

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Lodge/7018/index.html

Schedule:

1/22: Alderfer Three Sisters

1/29: O'Fallon Park. Lair of the Bear and back

2/5: Chief Hosa

2/12: Evergreen Lake House

2/17: Upper Bear Creek - 5-mile marker. Some may start from the Lake House, 16 miles. Check w/Dave

2/26: Genesee overlook. Mt. Vernon trails

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Directions: Meet at the NREL visitors' lot. Take I-70 to Denver West Blvd. Go north to the first street. Turn left. Go 2 blocks to the NREL lot. From 6th ave, exit at Indiana. Go north to Colfax. Turn right and continue past the shopping center on the left. Turn left at Denver West Marriott Blvd. Go over I-70 and follow the directions above. There are no bathrooms or changing facilities at this site.

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Erin Elston writes:

"I was just diagnosed with exercise induced compartment syndrome and i wondered if you knew of anyone who had either tried surgery or any alternatives and what successes they may have had? Any input you may have would be greatly appreciated."

Please respond to her at

erinelston@...

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1/19, 5:30pm; Nighthawks Nordic Series, ski & snowshoe races; Eldora Mtn, Nederland; 303-440-8700 x267

1/22; Pazzo's Colorado State Championships at Meadow Mtn.; 9mi snowshoe; Minturn; 970-845-0931

1/26, 5:30pm; Nighthawks Nordic Series, ski & snowshoe races; Eldora Mtn, Nederland; 303-440-8700 x267

2/5, 7pm; Cordillera Moonlight Snowshoe Adventure; 5K/10K; Edwards; 970-581-5254; http://www.altituderacing.com/cordillera_snowshoe_races.html

3/5, 6:30 pm; Billy's Island Grill Vail Mtn 5 miler; Lionshead Gondola, Vail,CO; 970-845-0931

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** Trail Rating - 1-5 scale, 1 being the easiest.

T = technical difficulty (rocks, narrow, curves, etc.)

P = physical difficulty (length, steepness and number of climbs)

N = navigational difficulty (ease of following the routes)