Inside: Trail running to Crypt Lake may seem like an uphill running slog. You need not run every step to enjoy a beautiful day in the mountains.
For years I was a ‘closet’ runner
I didn’t *feel* like a runner, therefore I didn’t often broadcast the fact that I ran.
When I ran on the rural country roads where I lived, I would dive into the ditch or stop running when a vehicle approached. It seemed like a legitimate way to deal with my self-embarrassment.
As a kid, I dabbled in sprinting and cross-country running. Oftentimes, as I approached a finish line, especially when there were crowds and people cheering, I would start getting lightheaded, my body would go numb and I would feel like I was going to stumble and crash to the ground.
This continued when I started running again in my early 20’s. If I passed a group of construction guys or other people that I thought were judging or criticizing my body, I would get that same woozy I-think-I’m going-to-fall-and-pass-out feeling. So I would simply stop and walk until the pressure was off and the weird body sensations passed.
I’m pretty sure that never happened to ‘real’ runners
Real runners also ran fast without feeling like they were going to die. Real runners went to events and got podium finishes. Real runners also liked tracking times, distances, and their pace. And real runners could most definitely handle running uphill.
I didn’t do any of that stuff
I just liked to run. Without any hoopla but it made me feel like I couldn’t say I was a runner. I would make my “Oh I just really love to run” disclaimer, which also included reference to the fact that I kept it cruisy.
One time I heard a runner exclaiming about how they loved hills and I thought they were taking the runners high a little too far.
I have learned many things about myself over the span of my running journey
Something that allowed me to believe that I could call myself a runner is learning that most runners don’t run up the hills. On the steep ones, it’s more efficient to walk since running uphill takes a lot of strength. Runners usually power-hike them which sounds all fancy, but really, it’s just walking.
That little revelation changed things massively for me. I could be a runner even if I walked sometimes. I could even say I was going for a run when there was elevation gain that I didn’t have the strength or fitness to run. My intention was to move quickly and run the flats and downs. That all still counts as running!!
So my friend, if you are in the same boat,
Don’t be intimidated by running uphill
If you want, train and get stronger to have more power and speed. But you can also get out on some beautiful trails, and have a fabulous time walking uphill and running what you can!
Pick an iconic trail like Crypyt Lake that you might typically hike and add some running! Maybe on the uphill portions too!
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Crypt Lake Beta, so you can Run or Hike that Hill too!
Distance: 17km return (8km and 800m elevation gain to Crypt Lake. 1.8km around the lake and then 8.7km back down to boat launch via the waterfall trail)
Elevation Gain: 865m
Check out the AllTrails route description to find out more.
Getting there: A water taxi leaves from the Waterton Township boat launch that will transport you across the lake to the trailhead. It costs $31pp (2022). You can check the schedule here.
Other useful things to know:
There is a section of the trail close to Crypt Lake that involves climbing a ladder, entering into a tunnel that is dark and you have to crouch to fit through. Upon exiting, you are traversing a narrow ledge that is protected with a handline/cable as there is a cliff about 100m high that drops off below the trail (see 5th and 6th pictures above). A quick search online will reveal the whole spectrum of “easy, no big deal” to “so scary, I thought I was going to die”.
What you think will depend on your personal comfort zone. This section isn’t difficult or unsafe in my opinion but can be a mental challenge for some.
This is bear country. Carry spray.
Make sure you board the last water taxi home!
