Run the Rockies: Classic Trail Runs in Colorado’s Front Range
January 3rd, 2007
Author: Steven Bragg
Publisher: Colorado Mountain Club Press/Mountaineers Books
Retail: $16.95
Excellent Rating and Description System
Rating trail difficulty can be very subjective, particularly among locals on Colorado’s Front Range. Boulder is home to some of the best trail runners in the country, and a trail that they consider easy may be difficult to a novice or newcomer. Bragg has created a difficulty range of ‘easy’, ‘moderate’, and ‘difficult’ that is measured by total mileage and vertical gain of the route, thus avoiding personal opinion or running ability level.
Additionally, each trail is described with clear and detailed facts such as: a trail map, photo, and elevation profile for every run; average run time; distance; best season to run the trail; detailed directions to the trail; and special issues for consideration such dog rules, bikes, exposure to lightening.
Unique Highlights of the Guide
For runners who don’t want to carry the book with them, or just need to remember key details for the route, author has created a grey “GO” box for each run that breaks down the trail into easy to remember route directions. “GO” box directions can be quickly scribbled onto a scrap of paper to accompany you on your run.
Page 6 of the guide features a map with all 50 trails listed in the guide. All routes are color coded to identify difficulty level of easy, moderate, or difficult to facilitate finding a route in the particular area of the Front Range you’d like to run.
The Table of Contents is divided into geographic location and color coded by trail difficulty and special considerations (dogs, bikes, and lightning) which provide the reader quick navigation of the guide.
Friendly Advice for Beginning Trail Runners
Trail running on the Front Range is competitive for many locals. This guide welcomes newcomers into the sport by providing tips and advice that the “Big Dogs” may not tell you. The first twenty pages of the guide informs the reader about topics such as the mechanics of trail running; clothes, food and hydration; dangers on the trail; navigation; and wilderness responsibilities (leave no trace principles).
In Conclusion
The author has successfully identified many of the high quality and most popular trail runs along the Front Range, however we would have liked to see some Fort Collins area trail runs added to the guide, particularly the scenic and easily accessible Horsetooth Mountain Park area.
Overall it is a great guide, and when you don’t have computer access to look up information on Colorado trails at thoos.com, Run the Rockies: Classic Trail Runs in Colorado’s Front Range
is a great resource to Front Range trails for runners of all abilities.
Our Rating: 