My brother-in-law Tom Gallagher had was getting the bug to start doing some trail running again and was interested in running the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) from Rodgers to Flesher Pass. We had finally decided on Labor Day as the only day we both had in common. Tom invited his friend Joe Fisher to join us. (Interesting side note, Lindsay has an uncle whose name is Joe Fisher as well). Anyway, I had not actually met Joe before, but I had heard stories of his athletic prowess from Tom. My one experience was one summer I ran in Missoula's Run for the Trees which is a 5k run along the river in Missoula. I ran somewhere around 7 minutes per mile, but about two miles in this guy passed me pushing a double stroller with two kids in it! And he didn't just pass me, he blazed by me. I guess it took him that long to catch me because all the people with strollers have to start last. Anyway, I found out later that was Joe.
Anyway, Tom and Joe and I met, ferried vehicles, and started our run from Rodger's pass. The initial climb from Rodger's pass is not too steep but it is a steady climb. For me it was a fast powerwalk but Tom and Joe were jogging up it. I was beginning to think this could be a very long day if these guys were jogging up this and I couldn't keep up right out of the gate. Fortunately once we hit the top of the first climb the terrain got much more conducive to trail running. I am not much of a trail runner, but if there is a trail around to get you hooked on trail running, this has to be it. The first half of the trail from Rodger's Pass to Flesher Pass follows and exposed, uplifted, ridgeline, along the continental divide. While the trail isn't right on the ridge line, it usually stays withing 100 feet or so slightly to the west. The east side of the ridgeline was composed of cliffs that typically ranged from 30 to 100 feet tall. Looking east you could look out over the foothills and on a clear day could probably see Great Falls. To the west was forest lands and mountains. The trail itself was composed of shale that was pretty easy running. In most places the shale was small and almost cushioning while in others it was plate sized and a little more tricky to run. Overall this trail is a must do again, maybe once every summer for good measure. Next time I will bring a camera to get some pictures, in the meantime I will post some of Tom's pictures here.
Tom, Joe, and I ran nearly the entire length of the trail. After we got into a groove we covered the first 10 or so miles pretty quickly. We kicked up 5 grouse and took several pictures. Coming off the ridgeline down to Flesher Pass the trail gets a little less friendly to run on, but overall is a great trail. I was surprised at how disoriented I was coming off the last couple mile of trail as it contours around a couple of the higher points.
Anyway, Tom and Joe and I met, ferried vehicles, and started our run from Rodger's pass. The initial climb from Rodger's pass is not too steep but it is a steady climb. For me it was a fast powerwalk but Tom and Joe were jogging up it. I was beginning to think this could be a very long day if these guys were jogging up this and I couldn't keep up right out of the gate. Fortunately once we hit the top of the first climb the terrain got much more conducive to trail running. I am not much of a trail runner, but if there is a trail around to get you hooked on trail running, this has to be it. The first half of the trail from Rodger's Pass to Flesher Pass follows and exposed, uplifted, ridgeline, along the continental divide. While the trail isn't right on the ridge line, it usually stays withing 100 feet or so slightly to the west. The east side of the ridgeline was composed of cliffs that typically ranged from 30 to 100 feet tall. Looking east you could look out over the foothills and on a clear day could probably see Great Falls. To the west was forest lands and mountains. The trail itself was composed of shale that was pretty easy running. In most places the shale was small and almost cushioning while in others it was plate sized and a little more tricky to run. Overall this trail is a must do again, maybe once every summer for good measure. Next time I will bring a camera to get some pictures, in the meantime I will post some of Tom's pictures here.
Tom, Joe, and I ran nearly the entire length of the trail. After we got into a groove we covered the first 10 or so miles pretty quickly. We kicked up 5 grouse and took several pictures. Coming off the ridgeline down to Flesher Pass the trail gets a little less friendly to run on, but overall is a great trail. I was surprised at how disoriented I was coming off the last couple mile of trail as it contours around a couple of the higher points.