TRAVEL WARM UPSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 WOMENSRUNNING.COM 17
- Shut In Trail
ARDEN, NORTH CAROLINA
Start at the southern trailhead for a mostly downhill start, or
start at the northern trailhead and have your downhill on the
way back. The point at which you turn around is also totally
up to you, so you can easily get in anywhere from 1–30 miles
on this trail. Or try the Sleepy Gap to Reynolds Gap route, a
3.1-mile moderately trafficked out-and-back trail, mostly used
for hiking and trail running. - Cowels Bog
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
The area isn’t known for its hills, but you can still get a great
workout in thanks to the sandy sections along the Cowels Bog
Trail in Indiana Dunes State Park, an hour outside of Chicago.
Views of Lake Michigan and a wide variety of landscapes,
from marshes to black oak savannas to beaches, make this
one well worth the drive.
7. Mt. Baden-Powell from Dawson Saddle
VALYERMO, CALIFORNIA
This Angeles National Forest run is a great option if you’re
training to be at elevation or just want to give your lungs an
extra workout. For all but a small portion of this 9.9-mile run,
you will be above 8,000 feet taking in epic views and tackling
the summits of Throop Peak, Mount Burnham, and Mount
Baden-Powell.
5. Mesa Trail
BOULDER, COLORADO
The relatively flat (but still challenging) Mesa Trail spans a
beautiful area just below the Flatirons and foothill peaks—the
views just don’t quit. This is a longer run if you choose to take
on the entire trail, but a few different trailhead options along
the way make it very customizable. Pro tip: The northern half
can be busy with hikers and trail runners, while the half closer
to the El Dorado/South Mesa trailhead is often much quieter.