The Autumn Short List: Adams Gulch Big Loop

Hard to believe it's come to this:  whittling down the list of envisioned long runs to those select few you have a realistic chance of getting in before the snow falls. No matter that it happens like clockwork every year, it's always disappointing to have to table those great plans until coming seasons.

One run that made the short list in these closing days - and one that got pushed off the list last year - was a trip around the Adams Gulch big loop in Sun Valley.  One of my favorite runs in the area, I love how the route quickly leaves the populated lower gulch trails for the solace of true backcountry, with soft singletrack and great views of the Boulders and Pioneers.

A quick photo tour from yesterday's outing with Brad and Tizz.

On the Connector between Adams Gulch and Harpers.  Dry grass.  New snow up high.  Autumn.

One of many great overlooks.  Trying to figure out exactly how we got here.

Evergreen holding court, as Brad passes through.

Curvature: Cruising the ridge, not too far from the top of the climb.

Things are looking up...

...at this.

Long shadows on new snow in the Castle Rock burn.

Tizz questioning my nutrition choices.

Where's mom?  We kept on the move.

Coming off Lanes trail.  Fall in full swing.

Back to the now-full trailhead.