Parameters

Running McNaughton in the summer is a blast but without Andy’s race markings, some dogs could get lost. I rely on my keen sense of smell while others have to have “parameters”. Here is what my people call McNaughton parameters: Both north and south are easy – two lane paved roads border the park with the Totempole shelter being the far north race point and Hair Pin turn being the southern. On the northwest are private residences while most of the west side is the Lick Creek Golf Course. The north east portion has the paved entry road to the park as well as the horse barn. It’s the middle and south portions of the east side that could result in getting really lost as there are some hunting reserves in that area. Don’t go east of the 4 radio towers lined up in a north south line.

The power lines are also good to help you know where you are – if you ever look up. The triple line runs east west and is between the start finish and Totempole. The single line runs north south and can be seen (easier in winter) at several places along the run – it’s just west of the start finish and you can see it from at least 6 race locations – but you have to look for it!

The creeks are the best locators. Lick Creek runs from west to east while Indian Creek runs south to north, intersecting about in the center of the park. That explains why you have three creek crossings in each loop. The first creek crossing is Lick Creek after the two merge, the second crossing uses the bridge to cross Indian Creek and the third crossing is Lick Creek before the merge.

You are always invited to run McNaughton and half the fun is finding new trails, getting lost and finding your way back to the food bowl.

May 17, 2008

Now that this dog can blog, I will be showing you what McNaughton looks like during the summer. It might make you wish Andy would change the date of the race so you can see some of this beautiful park or make you glad it's in the early spring! Keeping the trail even somewhat clear for anybody taller than me is a chore as the plants really love the open sunny areas that the trail creates. Fast growing limbs quickly take over the trail as seen here. Besides the extra growth, there are also lots of flowers blooming. Here is a May Apple. These are all over the place but this one is in a large pack of plants just below the old butt slide hill in the Heaven's Gate loop.

It has begun - training for 2009

Here is my good buddy, WebMaster Mountain Man Jerry. Today was his first official training for his attempt to finish 50 miles at next years race. Jerry has walked 50 miles before but on a track for Relay for Life. His is about the toughest, strongest walker I know. He has a great chance of making - after all, like me, he has hair growing on the bottom of his feet!
The other photo is some tree (big deal) that everybody seems to think is special. They call it a red bud. How it got that name, I have no idea. They're all over the place.