My second goal in running the 2023 Hardrock 100 — behind finishing — was to embrace joy along the way. Fortunately, I succeeded in completing both those goals in July. Along the way, I also snapped 500-some photos. What follows is some of the joyous observations I captured on the course.
If you’re looking for more photos from my Hardrock journeys, you can also check out “Eyes Wide Open: A Runner’s View of the 2018 Hardrock 100 Course.”
This year, I got to share more miles and smiles with Darla Askew than I have in any other Hardrock 100. All photos: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Arrow and Vestal Peaks might just be my favorite mountains to see in all of the San Juans.
A beautiful cutthroat trout caught along the way.
A look across Grizzly Gulch gives perspective on the scope of Hardrock.
Photos can’t capture the “Hell yeahs!” exchanged on the way up Handies Peak.
The American Basin side of Handies Peak is one of Hardrock’s iconic views.
On the way up to Engineer Pass, runners kept reminding others, “Look right,” and, “Look back!” With views like this, you can understand why!
A runner nears the top of Engineer Pass during a spectacularly interminable sunset.
A runner and their pacer greet day’s end on Oh! Point.
Descending to Telluride with a day and a night and 70-plus miles behind me.
Looking down the Blixt Road from just below Oscars Pass toward Grant-Swamp Pass.
Grant-Swamp Pass coming into better view.
Looking back at Oscars Pass from the climb up Swamp Gulch.
I’m always shocked at just how blue Island Lake is.