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| Photo #16: Beginning the climb up to Cool. |
| Photo #17: Climbing up K2 I stopped several times to look back at the nice scenery. The road in the background is Highway 49 . This section heads up to Auburn. Highway 49 through Auburn Ravine was one of my favorite bicycle training rides. I've ridden up and down this section countless times, and probably left several gallons of sweat on the asphalt. Looking back at hwy 49 seemed symbolic to me. How many times in the 80's I rode this section and probably glanced over to where K2 hill was located, not realizing that 15 years later I'd be back traversing this canyon on foot. You never know what treasures the future might just hold for you if you are only willing to keep trudging through life despite its disappointments and losses. |
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| Photo #18: Entering Cool Aid station. Upon reaching Cool we do a ~7 mile loop. The loop used to be called Knickerbocker loop (like Knickerbocker Creek that we cross on the loop), but in the last ten years or so was renamed Olmstead Loop after a mountain cyclist who started a mountain bike race in this area. About a 1/4 mile before I reached Cool Aid Station, the lead runner passed me going other direction heading back towards No Hands Bridge. |
| Photo #19 : During about the first mile of Olmstead loop we parallel highway 49. |
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| Photo #20: Then the trail turns right ... there were some horses in this section. |
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| Most of Olmstead Loop is exposed to the full sun... it was mid-day and warm when most runners reached this section.. There was only one portion of this loop where I started feeling the effects of the heat and sun, it was just before the descent to Knickerbocker Creek.. Fortunately my heat acclimation was good coming into this race, because I trained through the Houston summer where the highs are mid 90's with 90% humidity. Fortunately during RDL , eventhough the temps were around 90 degrees, the humidity was much lower. It was pleasant to run and not be dripping wet with sweat for a change! |
| Photo #21 : The trail winds through some oak trees. |
| Photo #22: This blue-flowered plant had a very strong pungent scent. Possibly it is some type of wild thyme or sage? |
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| Photo #23 : Climbing up the trail after crossing Knickerbocker Creek. It was not too tough of a climb, defintiely easier than Cardiac and K2. |
| Photo #24: The Knickerbocker Aidstation posted a sign which read "Welcome to Devil's Thumb"!! |
| PAGE 3 OF RDL-100 PHOTOS |