Running 56:30 [3] 5.5 mi (10:16 / mi)
weight:163.5lbs
I had some time while Erik was at PT and went for a run on the northern parts of the Brainard map. I used to run there most days back in the 80s, and a fair amount in the 90s, as well as lots of course setting, but once I started I realized I haven't been there in quite a while. Started out along the dikes on the NE side, and found a trail off to the right I hadn't seen before, blazed and well worn in. It went up the mountain to the W, roughly parallel to the road, crossing the main park road near the Newton Brainard memorial. I should note that the MDC people were always a bit perplexed by why we called the map Brainard. Mr. Brainard donated 212 acres to MDC in 1961, but it is all in the northern part, away from the MDC's main operations, and it is a relatively small part of the whole.
Short of the western ridge line, a trail heads south, but very twisty and curly, so after a bit I bushwacked over to the old ridge line trail, and thence south. Trail was in pretty good shape. It went through a period of being full of giant mudholes when the mt biking community maxed out about 15 years ago.
And then it was time to head back. Picked up Finger Rock Rd N of Kilkenny rocks and back via Finger Rock (which seemed to have a new trail heading up) and down to the main park road and back.
Next time I will dig out an old map and plot where these trails go. The newer 1:10000 version won't work, as it only covers the southern part.