Old Jackson Road Recovery Run

Untitled by fin16 at Garmin Connect - Details

This run was used as a recovery run.  I wanted to get out and do some trail running in the few days that I had before the YM's arrived.

I began at Joe Dodge Lodge and took the Old Jackson Road trail.  This is an old fire trail/road that has narrowed over the years and connects Joe Dodge Lodge to the Auto Road.  Very rocky at first but then leveled out towards the turnaround point.

I met a volunteer from the AMC, Sherri, along the way. She and I chatted a bit about her pack and the pack that I was carrying.  She told me she was trying to break into trail running and asked some advice.  Awesome! We spoke for about 10 minutes or so and then parted ways.  Interestingly enough, I ran into her AGAIN at a not so local outfitter 2 days latter while trying to score some bargain gear.

This run was a challenge!  I didn't remember that it was nothing but rocks in the beginning and it made me do a double take.  I was frustrated with my slow progress but then cut myself some slack.  I had just run UP Mt. Washington and here I was, doing more hills the very next day!

Once I got past the majority of the rocks, I began to remind myself that I was in some of the most beautiful scenery in New England and that I could still enjoy it on the way back down the trail, too. Once I hit the turn around point at the Auto Road I was in a grove.  I sailed back down the trail and was able to stop and take some pictures as well.

I only passed a few hikers on the way back, but for
 the most part I was alone.  I really like the quiet of the trail and the fact that everything else just falls away and it's just you.