ZION TRAIN
20 May 2006

Full Zion Train – 39 miles
Richard Strom
Richard (The Grizz) Randall
Steve Maybe
Reyn Gallacher
Brent Gallacher
Terry Foust
Dee McLaughlin
Deanne Millwood
Brent Palmer
Paul Hart
John Moellmer

Hop Valley Trailhead to Finish (Grotto) - 26 miles
Kathie Schmutz
Duane Schmutz
Hooper (Linda Walquist)
Wally (Doug Walquist)

Lava Trailhead to Finish – 16 miles
Tom McFarland

Lava Point Trailhead to Hop Valley Trailhead - 9 miles
Bev Randall
Joan Moellmer
Catherine Nielsen
Tanya Maybe
Kathy McFarland

Story by Prince Many Dots (John Moellmer):
This year’s running of the Zion Train was a rather large affair.  From the list of names above, it is pretty obvious that there would be a logistics nightmare sorting out runners, drivers, cars, and aid.  All this sorting was done masterfully by designated logistics coordinator Paul Hart.  Paul used small squares of paper to represent people, cars, and aid station locations thus helping arrange deliveries, pick-ups, and ensuring minimal mayhem. 

On Friday night, many of us met at Kathie’s Bed and Breakfast in Hurricane and discussed the morning’s strategy.  The next morning, at 5:00 AM, all met at Kathie’s and drove up in several cars to the start.  The start was at 6:00 AM as the morning was breaking.  

The section of the run from Lees Pass along LaVerkin Creek was beautiful with a whole lot less water in the creek than last year.  (Last year we used fixed ropes to cross the creek).  The cliffs above were just getting illuminated by the sun and the river was bouncing along beside the trail.  As always, Hop valley was beautiful, with green trees, a quiet brook and lots of firm river sand to run on.  What a way to begin a day with your friends. This was the first time Reyn and Brett had been in this area - they were properly in awe of the scenery.  With the sun now on us and blue skies above, we were having a great day.

The Hop Valley trailhead was equipped with a full aid station, a nice courtesy of  Kathie Schmutz.  Thanks for letting us stuff the trunk of the car with food, drinks, and ice.  The connector route from Hop Valley Trailhead to Lava Point was as fine a run as ever, but Prince Many Dots  promptly lost the trail and stumbled out in the sagebrush followed by a doubtful string of runners.  Soon the trail returned, from wherever it had been wandering, and now on the trail, the troop ran off to Lava Point Trailhead.

Greeting us at the Lava Point Trailhead were food, water, and pop.  What a wonderful aid station! Thank you McFarlands for letting us use your car for that pleasant oasis.   It was a time to collect thoughts, collect members of our party, and tell wicked lies.  Fed, refreshed and excited, we left Lava Point and headed south to the finish at the Grotto, about 16 miles away.  The five miles along Horse Ridge was pretty warm, but still pleasant, and with lots of flowers.  Down we came to Potato Hollow and to the spring where we filtered water, refilled our bottles and headed up to the West Rim Mesa.  Potato Hollow is sure nice.  Trees for shade, soft grass, pools of water.  Yup, a great place.

As the later afternoon came on, clouds came in and helped cool everything down.  That was fortunate, since the highs were already in the 90’s and no one wanted to be too baked as we dropped off Walters Wiggles, though Refrigerator Canyon and down to the Virgin River at we finish.  Everyone had finished about the same time, between 4 and 6 pm.