If you've never had an opportunity to spend the night at Barr Camp, I highly suggest it. Renee and Anthony, the current caretakers were accommodating and friendly. I was planning on meeting up with some friends from Denver and they called saying they were stuck in traffic and would be arriving late. I debated hiking the Incline carrying my 25 pound pack to cut off a little distance but opted to go the regular Barr Trail route instead since my friends were running late anyway. 

I began my hike around 9 am with clear skies, 70+ degree temps and a little humidity in the air. This was my first time ascending Barr Trail with a pack and trekking poles. I used to make fun of people who used poles but the carbon poles I snagged at the REI garage sale were worth every penny. It's a little different hiking up the trail with 25 pounds on your back. I made it to Barr camp in 2 hours and 40 minutes starting from the trailhead (I took the Ascent route-don't tell). The sky started looking ominous about a mile from Barr Camp. I arrived without being rained on and enjoyed some pistachios with the resident Barr Camp squirrel. About 30 minutes later it started raining. 

As I relaxed with a book in the cabin, I started getting nervous about the rest of my camping party from Denver. The storm was right on top of us and I was hoping they brought rain gear. I packed an extra poncho in my pack just in case but luckily, didn't need it. Eventually the rest of the crew arrived, sopping wet. The crew ended up purchasing dry souvenir Barr Camp T-shirts (the weather does the marketing for them). This is why starting hikes/runs/rides early on the Front Range is the wisest thing to do. Several other hikers who attempted summiting Pikes Peak that day had to turn around about a mile from the top due to lighting and hail. 

Barr Camp was hopping during the storm as hikers passing by sought shelter in the warm and inviting cabin. One of the hikers from New Zealand mentioned that it's a little piece of heaven in Pike National Forest. I couldn't agree more. After playing some travel Scattegories with Renee and Anthony, we turned in around 9 for a good night's sleep before the rest of the hike to the top the next morning. The rest of our party were carrying their packs to the top and riding the cog down. I opted to leave my pack at Barr Camp, run to summit, back down then hike the rest of the way down with my pack. After devouring 6 of Anthony and Renee's delicious buckwheat pancakes I started my run. It ended up being a beautiful morning with the majority of my run being above a low-hanging cloud ceiling. I felt great and tried to get back down as quickly as possible. I ended up whacking my knee pretty hard on a rock just above the 2 mile sign as I was running down and decided to walk the remainder of the way down. The knee is a little stiff and swollen today but nothing a little ibuprofen and ice can't fix.

I managed to make it down just in time for a massage appointment and although it was foggy/cloudy below No Name, I didn't get rained on at all. The weather gods have smiled upon me this summer for which I am grateful. I have learned through experience, when in the elements in the mountains I need to be prepared for anything, particularly on Pikes Peak. 

The remainder of my summer freedom will be filled with traveling and one running relay. I am now signed up to run The Wild West Relay which is a 200 mile jaunt divided by 12 runners from Fort Collins to Steamboat Springs. Thank you to Tim for getting Vanessa, former Purple and Gold runner, in touch with us for this epic opportunity. Somehow I managed to be signed up for the longest leg? That's ok with me. As I've never run a relay before, it will be a new experience and we'll see how my legs feel on the last leg of the run after sleeping in a van and having already run 15 miles. 

Tomorrow, I head out to Yellowstone. I should probably start packing now.