Race Registration Problems

We are having some e-store problems registering for the Trail Run Sunday. If you can't get registered online, come on up anyway. We will sort things out Sunday morning. Sorry for the headache.

Race Registration Problems

We are having some e-store problems registering for the Trail Run Sunday. If you can't get registered online, come on up anyway. We will sort things out Sunday morning. Sorry for the headache.

Sunday - Black Mountain Lodge

I think Sunday is going to be an awesome day to hang on the deck at BML.

Sunday - Black Mountain Lodge

I think Sunday is going to be an awesome day to hang on the deck at BML.

Check out the photo taken by Mike Repyak at the top of Zuma Lift.  Nice.  Don't forget Sunday - BBQ, Music, and Running (for thos inclined) at Black Mountain Lodge.  See you there

Check out the photo taken by Mike Repyak at the top of Zuma Lift.  Nice.  Don't forget Sunday - BBQ, Music, and Running (for thos inclined) at Black Mountain Lodge.  See you there

Trail Reports

In addition to getting some good comments on the Argentine North Trail, I have had a few questions about the Trail Run Sunday. Mostly, they have been about the route above the top of Pali. The course will head to the West Wall Saddle and then straight up the Cornice Run ridge line to Snowplume Refuge. There is no trail between the top of Pali and Snowplume, cross country travel only.

I encourage all you runners to come join us Sunday. I suspect that if you are not a runner, you might be pretty good at listening to music, eating BBQ, and drinking beer. Join me with the band High Five Sunday. This event has something for everyone.

Trail Reports

In addition to getting some good comments on the Argentine North Trail, I have had a few questions about the Trail Run Sunday. Mostly, they have been about the route above the top of Pali. The course will head to the West Wall Saddle and then straight up the Cornice Run ridge line to Snowplume Refuge. There is no trail between the top of Pali and Snowplume, cross country travel only. I encourage all you runners to come join us Sunday. I suspect that if you are not a runner, you might be pretty good at listening to music, eating BBQ, and drinking beer. Join me with the band High Five Sunday. This event has something for everyone.

Colorado Fires

Yesterday afternoon as I was writing in my blog that Colorado sure could use some rain showers, the Waldo Canyon Fire in and near Colorado Springs was blowing up. The videos I saw on the news last night were heart wrenching.  I sent emails to a couple of friends that I thought were in the evacuation area.  In fact, they were and had already been evacuated.  Tough times.  All of us at The Basin are thinking about the folks that have been evacuated and/or impacted by all of the Colorado fires. We have special thoughts for the firefighters and other people trying to manage this crisis. One of the friends I emailed in Colorado Spring is a firefighter.  He was on the Treasure Fire near Leadville while his family was evacuating their house.



Last night at The Basin we had a little shower. Right now we are having a fairly decent rain. The forecast for the mountains shows an increasing chance of rain. Let's hope Mother Nature can give us some help very soon.  Send some good juju to all those in need right now.

Colorado Fires

Yesterday afternoon as I was writing in my blog that Colorado sure could use some rain showers, the Waldo Canyon Fire in and near Colorado Springs was blowing up. The videos I saw on the news last night were heart wrenching.  I sent emails to a couple of friends that I thought were in the evacuation area.  In fact, they were and had already been evacuated.  Tough times.  All of us at The Basin are thinking about the folks that have been evacuated and/or impacted by all of the Colorado fires. We have special thoughts for the firefighters and other people trying to manage this crisis. One of the friends I emailed in Colorado Spring is a firefighter.  He was on the Treasure Fire near Leadville while his family was evacuating their house.

Last night at The Basin we had a little shower. Right now we are having a fairly decent rain. The forecast for the mountains shows an increasing chance of rain. Let's hope Mother Nature can give us some help very soon.  Send some good juju to all those in need right now.

Griz Ridge - Cornice Run Walk

Had an enjoyable kind of "meeting afternoon" today.  In preparation for July 1's Trail Race, Leigh and I went for a bit of a walk up Grizzly Ridge to the top of Pali.  We headed to the West Wall saddle and were headed up the Cornice Run when we were chased off by lightning.  I think about 12 drops of rain fell.  While A-Basin is greening up nicely, as a state Colorado sure could use a few soakers.

Griz Ridge - Cornice Run Walk

Had an enjoyable kind of "meeting afternoon" today.  In preparation for July 1's Trail Race, Leigh and I went for a bit of a walk up Grizzly Ridge to the top of Pali.  We headed to the West Wall saddle and were headed up the Cornice Run when we were chased off by lightning.  I think about 12 drops of rain fell.  While A-Basin is greening up nicely, as a state Colorado sure could use a few soakers.

Not Much Snow Left

It really is summer up here.  There are just a few small patches of snow left.  On my recents jaunts around the hill I have bumped into both deer and mountain goats.  Very nice.

Not Much Snow Left

It really is summer up here.  There are just a few small patches of snow left.  On my recents jaunts around the hill I have bumped into both deer and mountain goats.  Very nice.

From A Lift Mechanic's View

This is the way a Lift Mechanic sees The Basin.  Check out the views from inside the Black Mountain Express motor room.

From A Lift Mechanic's View

This is the way a Lift Mechanic sees The Basin.  Check out the views from inside the Black Mountain Express motor room.

It's Hot Down There

I know it is hot down there in the big city.  Just got an email from a friend that said it was 106 F in her yard.  OK, right now it is 78 F in the base area at A-Basin.  You guys need a break and I have the answer.  Come on up July 1 for music, food, drink, and some cool weather.  If you are a runner, do the race.  If you are not a runner come on up and really have fun.

It's Hot Down There

I know it is hot down there in the big city.  Just got an email from a friend that said it was 106 F in her yard.  OK, right now it is 78 F in the base area at A-Basin.  You guys need a break and I have the answer.  Come on up July 1 for music, food, drink, and some cool weather.  If you are a runner, do the race.  If you are not a runner come on up and really have fun.

Why Argentine North Fork?

The bridge is completely finished and the trail is 100% ready to go.  Some of you ask about its name, The Argentine North Fork Trail.  The front side of the ski area is in the North Fork of the Snake River Basin.  The back side is in the Snake River Basin which includes connections to the old town of Argentine and Argentine Pass.  Dating back to at least the mining days there has been some type of trail connecting the two sides of the mountain.  There are hints of an old trail on Upper Lenawee and along the base of the East Wall.  At some point, I believe in the 40's, there was a jeep road built up to the Summit.  The old topo maps identify that old road as the Argentine North Fork Trail. In the 60's and 70's that jeep road was substantially improved and realigned to become our current summer mountain service road.  The new hiking trail somewhat aligns with the old trail and jeep road.  There are portions of the new trail directly on the old jeep road.  Anyway, we looked at the new trail as not really new, but a realigned and improved version of the historic Argentine North Fork Trail.

Why Argentine North Fork?

The bridge is completely finished and the trail is 100% ready to go.  Some of you ask about its name, The Argentine North Fork Trail.  The front side of the ski area is in the North Fork of the Snake River Basin.  The back side is in the Snake River Basin which includes connections to the old town of Argentine and Argentine Pass.  Dating back to at least the mining days there has been some type of trail connecting the two sides of the mountain.  There are hints of an old trail on Upper Lenawee and along the base of the East Wall.  At some point, I believe in the 40's, there was a jeep road built up to the Summit.  The old topo maps identify that old road as the Argentine North Fork Trail. In the 60's and 70's that jeep road was substantially improved and realigned to become our current summer mountain service road.  The new hiking trail somewhat aligns with the old trail and jeep road.  There are portions of the new trail directly on the old jeep road.  Anyway, we looked at the new trail as not really new, but a realigned and improved version of the historic Argentine North Fork Trail.

Music, BBQ, BMX, Trail Race

I have been kind of slow getting back to the blog after a vacation.  Caught a Michael Franti concert at Red Rocks, had a sweet run through Westwater, and rode the bike a fair bit in Summit County.



We really have two stories for July 1.



Doing what we do best, we are throwing a party a Black Mountain Lodge.  High Five will be playing their music and Chef Rybak and crew will be serving up their famous BBQ.  Come on up and enjoy the view.  Despite the state being so dry, the upper mountain is green and beautiful.  You can ride the lift or walk the trail.



The second part of the story is the Trail Run.  The Mid-Mountain Division run to BML on the Argentine North Fork Trail is ideal for any runner.  The Summit Division going past BML to the top of Pali, on to the summit, and finishing at BML is for hard core athletes only.  Don't let its relatively short 4.6 mile distance lull you into thinking it is easy.  This is a steep, gnarly course.  There aren't many of you that can do it without walking.  (OK, that is a challenge).



Whatever you do, run, party, or both, I hope to see you July 1.  We are going to have some fun.

Music, BBQ, BMX, Trail Race

I have been kind of slow getting back to the blog after a vacation.  Caught a Michael Franti concert at Red Rocks, had a sweet run through Westwater, and rode the bike a fair bit in Summit County.

We really have two stories for July 1.

Doing what we do best, we are throwing a party a Black Mountain Lodge.  High Five will be playing their music and Chef Rybak and crew will be serving up their famous BBQ.  Come on up and enjoy the view.  Despite the state being so dry, the upper mountain is green and beautiful.  You can ride the lift or walk the trail.

The second part of the story is the Trail Run.  The Mid-Mountain Division run to BML on the Argentine North Fork Trail is ideal for any runner.  The Summit Division going past BML to the top of Pali, on to the summit, and finishing at BML is for hard core athletes only.  Don't let its relatively short 4.6 mile distance lull you into thinking it is easy.  This is a steep, gnarly course.  There aren't many of you that can do it without walking.  (OK, that is a challenge).

Whatever you do, run, party, or both, I hope to see you July 1.  We are going to have some fun.

Nice Walk

The little snow that is left is melting pretty quickly.  A few patches remain.  Walked up the Argentine North Fork Trail to TB Glades this afternoon.  Postholed in a few spots and got my feet wet once.  It should be fully dried out quite soon.  The plants are a little bit greener this week than last.  Saw lots of deer tracks in the mud and snow.