A shorter run, with only a very small section of Heysen today, out at Mt Crawford Forest, where I can let Rosie off the lead to charge about as she wishes. Being Fathers Day, I was due back for the 'festivities'. Which eventuated as 6 year old tantrums... meh! #dadlyf :D
After the Mt Crawford Challenge race in the local race series recently, I've gained a bit more appreciation for this section of forest. I'd previously kind of wrote it off as flat and uneventful. And from the MTB perspective I had previously, when I passed through via the Mawson Trail, that's a reasonably fair call. But now, running with the dog, it's got a bit more to offer. And much closer than when we were living in the city too, which helps.
We parked up at the Chalks campground and headed up towards the Fire lookout Tower. Rosie was excited as usual to get off the lead and splash through puddles, bark and magpies and, later, to chase Roos. Overexcited dingo...
However, the trail started to quickly head up to the tower, a constant grind on the dirt access road for the lookout. Windy and grey, with the odd bit of drizzle, actually not bad for running. Soon slowed dingo down a bit too.
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| Even dingoes can use a @chasingvert soft bottle! |
After a drink and short break (lay down for pooch), we followed the alternate trail across the open paddock and back over to the logging roads. The steep sections were pretty washed out and rutted - I wouldn't be surprised if the local Moto-crossers and 4WDers use this section as a bit of a hill climb when they can get in here, and would explain some of the deep ruts.
Round to the logged section which the race had passed by recently, Rosie spotted Roos to chase. She's quick, but watching them lose her as they bound over multiple small trees and several logs, whilst she is scrambling over or around them, I have to laugh at her persistence; unless she catches on unaware, she'll never have much chance!
We poked around a bit and bush bashed a little, passing the Rally car signs that were installed for the following weekends car race. At about 10km, Rosie found a winter creek that puddled over the trail to have a paddle in and cool off, perfectly wet for the imminent car ride home. Bloody dingo...
Todays total: ~4.4km
Heysen total: ~32.2km
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/699645600
Labels: heysen, heysen trail, HYSN, running, trailrunning, ultramarathon, ultrarunning
