Point Mariah Trail Marathon

 

Saturday, August 3, 2024, was the Point Mariah Trail Marathon put on by the Donner Party Mountain Runners.  The race hadn’t been on my radar for long, but it looked fun and everything came together to make it happen.  The race was less than an hour from the Reno airport, which made travel easier.  Some friends were interested also, so I started to prepare for the race.  I wanted to build up my endurance, but I didn’t have the time or energy to really put in the big mileages like I used to.  I also had to make sure I was smart about my joints and feet.  Nothing in central Indiana can prepare you for mountains, so my plan was to get in good cardio shape.  I know I have the mental toughness down, and I have been learning about fueling and electrolyte levels through trial and error over the years. 

I really studied the race map.  The setup was interesting as it had only one aid station that you passed through four times.  You ran to the aid station from the start finish (the orange loop), did the blue loop to Point Mariah, the yellow loop up Rowton Peak, the pink loop up Rowton Peak, and then headed back to the start finish line on the orange loop.  The elevation gain was a healthy 4300’ with a max altitude of 7600’ on top of Rowton Peak.  The highlight was Point Mariah itself, with the picturesque swing on the end of the ridge. 

I spent the night camping at the start finish line (a ski resort) to save some money.  I had a good hammock spot set up, but midnight rain encouraged me to move under the awning of the ski resort.  It rained off an on from midnight until morning, which was good to put a damper on the dust.  The earth was so dry and dusty that the rain didn’t ever puddle or runoff.  I helped the crew setting up in the morning and evening to pass time.  It was fun to get to talk to the staff.  Trail runners are good people. 

In the morning, I had plenty of time to get myself ready.  My friends showed up about a half hour before the race and I stored my camping gear and luggage in the car.  I was determined to take things easy from the start (photographer Riley Bathurst) and not to get caught up in the rush of the start.  Heading straight up Soda Spring hill would help me accomplish that.  The hill didn’t look too big, but the trail went pretty close to straight up the ski runs and took about a mile to summit.  This section of “trail” was very loose rock and dust.  The top was bare rock.  Despite starting in the back and walking, I lost my friend Pamela.  I walked for a while after the summit waiting for her to catch up.  I never caught sight of her.  The south side of Soda Springs hill was a beautifully runnable trail, with smooth pine needle cushioned downhill trail through deep shady forest.  The kind of trail that begs you to run.  Looking at my watch, I knew I had to get running to achieve my goal of finishing before the eight hour cutoff.  I reluctantly settled into a groove, but I kept watching for Pamela.  This first leg, the orange loop, was fairly easy after Soda Springs hill.  The race course eventually left the trail and cut off through a meadow towards some cross-country ski trails through the forest around the Ice Lakes.  There were up and downs, but over all it was decent running with a good surface and shade.  Right before the aid station, the trail headed down the hill to the dam across Serena Creek.  The small dam was about a foot wide with a big drop on the downstream side, but luckily the water wasn’t flowing over the dam.  A race staffer was there to make sure made it across safely.  Once across the dam, there was a gravel road that took you to the aid station.

Having just one aid station allowed the organizers to put all of their resources into making it an amazing aid station.  They had everything I could want.  Watermelon, orange slices, pickles, pickle juice, water, pb&j sandwich quarters, and boiled potato chunks with salt to dip them in.  I filled up my camelbak every time I came to the aid station.  I ate as much as I could and headed out on the blue loop to Point Mariah.  I had to head back up the road a little ways before a trail cut down to Serena Creek.  The loop started on a wide level bridal or ski trail, but pretty quickly left the broad trail and started switching back and forth as it climbed the ridge.  It started raining pretty steadily at this point.  I walked until the trail climbed out of the scrub and crested the ridge.  The ridge top was bare rock and dust except for scattered low growing flowers like buckwheat.  The views were incredible with low clouds blowing through the mountains.  The trail worked back down the far side of the ridge before making its way along to the point.  The inbound runners and the outbound runners to Point Mariah shared the trail for a while.  At the end of the point was the famous swing (photographer Riley Bathurst).  I took some time to swing there and enjoyed the view out over the royal gorge.  There was a whiskey aid station there, but I decided to pass on that.  The trail back from the point took the broad trail back that was fairly runnable.  I kept my eyes open for Pamela, but never saw her.  The trail went through a patch of thimble berries.  It snacked on a couple and noticed that a large mammal had been doing the same. 

After refueling at the aid station, I headed off on the third loop.  This was the first ascent of Rowton Peak.  The trail left from the aid station and started climbing a mountain bike trail going up the mountain.  It was winding and worked back and forth across the mountain as it climbed.  I walked most of this and this loop felt the longest to me.  Actually, according to my watch, it was the longest.  The sun came out and felt pretty intense.  Eventually I got to Lola’s lookout, which was where the loop turned around and took another trail back down the mountain.  In general, the downhill was less winding and narrow.  I wouldn’t say I ever hit the wall on this race, but this loop was the hardest mentally.  I was alone most of it, the sun was bright, and there weren’t many landmarks to set your mind on.  I tried to focus on being present in the moment and enjoying where I was and what I was experiencing.  I made it down to the aid station ready for the challenge of the fourth loop, which had the steepest climb.  The aid station had made quesadillas, which were amazing. 

This was probably the warmest part of the day.  The pink loop didn’t beat around the bush, it just headed up the mountain.  It wasn’t in the forest long, but was in more open, sunny brush.  As I climbed up the dusty trail, I noticed the sky getting darker.  Thunder rumbled in the distance.  Dark clouds gave me occasional shade, but I felt more vulnerable without any trees around and being on the edge of the mountain.  The trail made it up over Lola’s lookout and continued along the steep drop off.  The views were incredible, but I kept hustling along to get down off the ridgeline.  The storm never broke on me and I made it down off the ridgeline.  The rest of this loop was a fairly decent run through quiet woods.  The race was all down hill from here mentally and I was feeling pumped to finish. 

Pamela was waiting for me at the aid station.  She had finished loop three and had dropped out.  I topped off my pack.  One of the volunteers told me about a concoctions that other racers were trying.  Half pickle juice, half ginger ale.  I made a glass and it was amazing.  I even made another glass.  The race director and Pamela were pumping me up and cheering for me as I headed out on the last loop back to the finish.  I felt fairly good about my chances to finish before the eight hour cutoff.  After crossing the dam and climbing up to the trail, I kept calculating my pace to finish in time.  I knew the last stretch was about 5.5 miles and I had 96 minutes to complete it.  That worked out to around 17 minutes a mile.  With 4.5 miles to go, I had 77 minutes to complete.  I knew I still had Soda Springs hill to climb.  3.5 miles to go, I had an hour left.  I was running most of the time now.  2.5 miles to go, I had 44 minutes left.  Now I was climbing Soda Springs hill.  My walking was as fast as I could go.  I had 25 minutes for my last 1.5 miles and I was still climbing the hill.  It got steeper and the footing was getting bad.  It was loose dust and rock now on the steepest stretch.  After climbing to the top, I could see the finish down at the bottom.  The descent was going to be treacherous, but I had to run as much as I could.  I was not experiencing Charlie horses in my quads (like many other races), but I knew that they had put in serious work and I had to be careful.  I ran across the finish line (photographer Riley Bathurst), crossing at 7:58 elapsed time.  I was overwhelmed and sat down in the shade to recover.  Another finisher must have felt compassion, because she went and got me some food and drink.  I eventually got a burger and picked up my race shirt.  The race director gave me a cool print of Point Mariah.  The race was a blast and I’d recommend it to anyone interested. 

2023 Bird Feeder Birds Summary

Frequency Trends Over the Past 11 Years of Records

·        The biggest drop off is for American Tree Sparrows.  Probably the lack of cold, snowy winters.

·        Mourning Dove is the second biggest drop off.  Maybe my place is too busy or dangerous for modo’s.

·        Common Grackle is another mystery.  They are the third biggest drop off.  I see them around the neighborhood, but they hardly ever come here.

·        Carolina Wren has the biggest increase in frequency.  I think they are very happy with the brush pile and the thicket under the spruce tree.

·        White-breasted Nuthatch is the second biggest increase in frequency.  Maybe as trees are maturing, they are liking things better?

·        Song Sparrow is the third biggest increase in frequency.  They love the prairie plantings, and often prefer the prairie seeds over the bird feeder. 

·        The top five in frequency, with all of these species showing up over 90% of the months, are no big surprises.  In descending order, House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, House Finch, and Downy Woodpecker. 

·        The order of the second five species, with all of these species showing up over 70% of the months, is somewhat surprising.  In descending order, American Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, and European Starling.  I think of American Goldfinch is fairly seasonal at my feeder. 

2023 Summary

·        45 bird species were observed at the feeder this year, marking a new high.  Last year the number was 43.

·        An average of 18.42 bird species were observed each month.  This is the second highest number, with last year setting the record at 19.00 average bird species per month.

New species observed at my feeder or in the feeder crab apple tree were, Blackburnian Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Indigo Bunting, Northern Parula, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. 

2022 Bird Feeder Summary

 

1.      Introduction

a.      The conclusion of 2022 marks a decade of recording the monthly visitors to the bird feeders in and under the crab apple tree behind 1299 S Daisy Lane, New Palestine, Indiana.  A total of 67 different bird species have been recorded in the last decade. 

2.      Methods

a.      The feeder setup

                                                    i.     Black oil sunflower seed feeder – hangs from the crab apple

                                                   ii.     Suet feeder – hangs from the crab apple

                                                  iii.     Field corn – scattered on the ground under the tree in the fall/winter

                                                  iv.     Millet mix – scattered on the ground under the tree in the winter

                                                   v.     Hummingbird feeder – from mid-April to mid-October

b.      Record Area

                                                    i.     Any bird in the crab apple can be counted

                                                   ii.     Any bird under the crab apple can be counted

                                                  iii.     Any bird on the porch or in the bushes by the porch

                                                  iv.     The airspace included under and between the porch and the crab apple

c.      What is recorded

                                                    i.     All species are marked as present for a month if they are observed in the record area. 

                                                   ii.     Individual numbers are not recorded

                                                  iii.     Sex or Age are recorded when noted, but are not used in any analysis

d.      Calculations

                                                    i.     Total Species per Average Species – this metric is an attempt to quantify consistency for a given time period.  In a situation where the total species equaled the average species would yield the maximum consistency value of 1.  As this number increases, it indicates less consistency, or more volatility. 

3.      Results

a.      2022

                                                    i.     Number of species visiting the feeder = 43 (Top most)

                                                   ii.     Average species per month = 19.00 (Top most)

                                                  iii.     Ranks as the 7^th (out of 10) most consistent year = 2.26 tot sp/ave sp

                                                  iv.     New Species for 2022

1.      Hairy Woodpecker

2.      Palm Warbler

3.      Swainson’s Thrush

b.      The decade

                                                    i.     Number of species = 67

                                                   ii.     Average species per month =36.1

                                                  iii.     Monthly trends

1.      January

a.      Ranks as the 9^th highest month in total species = 25

b.      Ranks as the 7^th highest month in average species = 16.0

c.      Ranks as the 3^rd most consistent month = 1.56 tot sp/ave sp

2.      February

a.      Ranks as the 10^th highest month in total species = 24

b.      Ranks as the 8^th highest month in average species = 15.9

c.      Ranks as the 2^rd most consistent month = 1.51 tot sp/ave sp

3.      March

a.      Ranks as the 5^th highest month in total species = 29

b.      Ranks as the 5^th highest month in average species = 17.0

c.      Ranks as the 6^th most consistent month = 1.71 tot sp/ave sp

4.      April

a.      Ranks as the 3^rd highest month in total species = 37

b.      Ranks as the 2^nd highest month in average species = 19.5

c.      Ranks as the 8^th most consistent month = 1.90 tot sp/ave sp

5.      May

a.      Ranks as the 1st highest month in total species = 46

b.      Ranks as the 1^st highest month in average species = 21.0

c.      Ranks as the 11^th most consistent month = 2.19 tot sp/ave sp

6.      June

a.      Ranks as the 12^th highest month in total species = 21

b.      Ranks as the 9^th highest month in average species = 15.0

c.      Ranks as the 1^st most consistent month = 1.40 tot sp/ave sp

7.      July

a.      Ranks as the 11^th highest month in total species = 23

b.      Ranks as the 10^th highest month in average species = 13.2

c.      Ranks as the 7^th most consistent month = 1.74 tot sp/ave sp

8.      August

a.      Ranks as the 5^th highest month in total species = 29

b.      Ranks as the 11^th highest month in average species = 13.1

c.      Ranks as the 12^th most consistent month = 2.21 tot sp/ave sp

9.      September

a.      Ranks as the 7^th highest month in total species = 27

b.      Ranks as the 12^th highest month in average species = 12.4

c.      Ranks as the 10^th most consistent month = 2.18 tot sp/ave sp

10.   October

a.      Ranks as the 2^nd highest month in total species = 38

b.      Ranks as the 3^rd highest month in average species = 18.7

c.      Ranks as the 9^th most consistent month = 2.03 tot sp/ave sp

11.   November

a.      Ranks as the 4^th highest month in total species = 30

b.      Ranks as the 4^th highest month in average species = 17.7

c.      Ranks as the 5^th most consistent month = 1.70 tot sp/ave sp

12.   December

a.      Ranks as the 8^th highest month in total species = 26

b.      Ranks as the 6^th highest month in average species = 16.4

c.      Ranks as the 4^th most consistent month = 1.59 tot sp/ave sp

                                                  iv.     Yearly trends

1.      The slope of # of Species for the year = 1.02

2.      The slope of the average species per month for the year = 0.40

                                                   v.     Species trends

1.      Top 10 largest positive slope (becoming more common)

a.      10) Golden-crowned Kinglet = 0.16

b.      10) Tufted Titmouse = 0.16

c.      9) Brown Creeper = 0.18

d.      8) American Goldfinch = 0.19

e.      7) Ruby-throated Hummingbird = 0.24

f.       6) White-throated Sparrow = 0.33

g.      5) Blue Jay = 0.41

h.      4) Eastern Bluebird = 0.47

i.       3) White-breasted Nuthatch = 0.56

j.       2) Song Sparrow = 0.62

k.      1) Carolina Wren = 0.75

2.      Top 10 negative slopes (becoming less common)

a.      10) a six-way tie between American Crow, Golden-winged Warbler, Harris’s Sparrow, House Wren, Magnolia Warbler, Yellow Warbler = -0.02

b.      9) Mallard = -0.04

c.      8) Red-tailed Hawk = -0.05

d.      7) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher = -0.08

e.      6) Chipping Sparrow = -0.09

f.       5) European Starling = -0.12

g.      4) Common Grackle = -0.16

h.      3) Cedar Waxwing = -0.18

i.       2) Mourning Dove = -0.26

j.       1) American Tree Sparrow = -0.29

                                                  vi.     Species Frequency/Months/Rank

1.      House Sparrow                                100.00%              120        1

2.      Northern Cardinal                           100.00%              120        1

3.      Carolina Chickadee                         99.17%                 119        3

4.      House Finch                                      95.83%                 115        4

5.      Downy Woodpecker                       92.50%                 111        5

6.      American Goldfinch                        87.50%                 105        6

7.      White-breasted Nuthatch             85.83%                 103        7

8.      Tufted Titmouse                              84.17%                 101        8

9.      American Robin                               76.67%                 92           9

10.   European Starling                           75.00%                 90           10

11.   Song Sparrow                                   70.00%                 84           11

12.   Mourning Dove                               65.83%                 79           12

13.   Blue Jay                                             62.50%                 75           13

14.   Carolina Wren                                  58.33%                 70           14

15.   Dark-eyed Junco                             58.33%                 70           14

16.   Chipping Sparrow                           50.83%                 61           16

17.   Ruby-throated Hummingbird       44.17%                 53           17

18.   Red-bellied Woodpecker              41.67%                 50           18

19.   Brown-headed Cowbird 3             9.17%                   47           19

20.   Eastern Bluebird                              20.83%                 25           20

21.   Coopers Hawk                                 20.00%                 24           21

22.   Cedar Waxwing                               17.50%                 21           22

23.   Red-breasted Nuthatch                 15.83%                 19           23

24.   White-crowned Sparrow               15.83%                 19           23

25.   Gray Catbird                                     15.00%                 18           25

26.   Golden-crowned Kinglet               14.17%                 17           26

27.   House Wren                                     13.33%                 16           27

28.   White-throated Sparrow               11.67%                 14           28

29.   American Tree Sparrow                 10.00%                 12           29

30.   Common Grackle                            8.33%                   10           30

31.   Brown Creeper                                7.50%                   9             31

32.   Ruby-crowned Kinglet                   6.67%                   8             32

33.   Pine Siskin                                         5.83%                   7             33

34.   Red-winged Blackbird                    5.83%                   7             33

35.   Blue-gray Gnatcatcher                   4.17%                   5             35

36.   American Redstart                          3.33%                   4             36

37.   Eastern Towhee                                             3.33%                   4               36

38.   Northern Flicker                              3.33%                   4             36

39.   Tennessee Warbler                         3.33%                   4             36

40.   Yellow-rumped Warbler                3.33%                   4             36

41.   Black-and-white Warbler              2.50%                   3             41

42.   Blackpoll Warbler                            2.50%                   3             41

43.   Eastern Phoebe                               2.50%                   3             41

44.   Pileated Woodpecker                    2.50%                   3             41

45.   Rose-breasted Grosbeak               2.50%                   3             41

46.   American Crow                                1.67%                   2             46

47.   Brown Thrasher                               1.67%                   2             46

48.   Common Yellowthroat                  1.67%                   2             46

49.   Lincoln's Sparrow                            1.67%                   2             46

50.   Red-shouldered Hawk                   1.67%                   2             46

51.   Yellow Warbler                                1.67%                   2             46

52.   Baltimore Oriole                             0.83%                   1             52

53.   Black-throated Green Warbler    0.83%                   1             52

54.   Blue-headed Vireo                          0.83%                   1             52

55.   Empidonax Flycatcher                    0.83%                   1             52

56.   Field Sparrow                                   0.83%                   1             52

57.   Golden-winged Warbler                0.83%                   1             52

58.   Hairy Woodpecker                          0.83%                   1             52

59.   Harris's Sparrow                              0.83%                   1             52

60.   Magnolia Warbler                           0.83%                   1             52

61.   Mallard                                              0.83%                   1             52

62.   Nashville Warbler                           0.83%                   1             52

63.   Northern Mockingbird                   0.83%                   1             52

64.   Palm Warbler                                   0.83%                   1             52

65.   Red-tailed Hawk                              0.83%                   1             52

66.   Scarlet Tanager                               0.83%                   1             52

67.   Swainson's Thrush                          0.83%                   1             52 

4.      Discussion

a.      This dataset, while fun and insightful, is far from being controlled.  I am not an unbiased observer; I enjoy seeing new birds and I enjoy setting monthly records.  There is no consistency in how much viewing time I may have per month.  I record data by month to try to smooth over inconsistencies in my schedule.  I am sure that I miss many bird species that visit infrequently, such as the Cooper’s Hawks that patrol the neighborhood, the flocks of Cedar Waxwings that descend on fruit and then leave, the migrant warblers passing through, and many such similar examples.  I do not currently have any video surveillance on the feeder area, although the idea is appealing. 

b.      I would have loved to count the American Bittern that landed approximately 50’ east the feeder in the backyard following an overnight storm on April 21, 2022.

c.      The number of kids playing outside and being noisy by the bird window has gone up significantly during the last decade, although luckily this has not shown up in the data.

d.      The habitat of the yard has certainly changed during the last decade.  The spruce trees and amount of turf grass have been on the decline.  The number and coverage of native plants have greatly increased.  It seems safe to suggest that native plants are positively correlated to number of bird species.  Anecdotal evidence suggests that migrating fall warblers relish elderberry fruit.  Dark-eyed Juncos seem to approve of the remnants of my prairie plantings in the winter.  Maturing native trees appear to be correlated to the increased appearance of forest species.  It will be interesting to see what happens as tree coverage increases.

e.      The feeders were removed during the summer of 2021 to try to prevent the spread of disease. 

f.       The larger setting of my property bears some discussion.  The closest somewhat natural feature to my feeder is a perennial stream over 0.2 miles away or an approximately 12 acre woodlot over 0.3 miles away.  An aerial analysis of the surrounding 0.5 miles illustrates the dearth of natural communities.  Undeveloped is a catchall category of fencerows, old field, riparian edge, and farmed wetlands.  This supports two conclusions.  My property is providing important bird habitat.  The birds visiting my feeder are not coming from a nearby natural area.

For more tables and data, check out this pdf.