Trail Running 58:00 [3] 5.5 mi (10:33 / mi)
shoes: Adrenaline 3
A run on backcountry trails to the south of Highlands Ranch. I parked at the Mountain Vista High School, which has access to the south end of the Dad Clark Trail. It joins up with the East-West Regional Trail and goes pretty steeply up to Highlands Point, passing the West Fork of the Big Dry Creek Trail along the way. Highlands Point has 360-degree views, from downtown Denver around to Longs Peak and Pikes Peak. It's at about 6200 feet. After another mile there is a trailhead with parking and porta-johns, accessible from Grigs Road. There is an extensive network of private backcountry trails owned by the community association, which were gated and posted, and I stayed off them. That made it an out-and-back, but a fine run anyway. Gorgeous day, temperature around 50 but felt much warmer in the sun. Time includes gawking at various sights and wildlife, but it was probably around a 9:00 pace.