It’s just fun to come upon a rocky section in the trail, especially if I have to go up. The challenge is to see how fasts I can get through the rocky terrain and get to the top.
Tag Archive for Elevation Gain
Rocky Trail Running at Lake Atitlan
Staircase to Mayan Face
This is one of the wooden staircases that you have to climb on the trail to the top of Mayan Face. And trust me, those handrails are there for a reason. It gets real steep as you get closer to the top. It’s 2000′ in elevation gain in one and a half miles. Very fun.
Mayan Face
Took this photo from the boat on the way to the running tour. This is a view of the Mayan Face, high above San Juan La Laguna on Lake Atitlan. Many guide books refer to it as Indian’s Nose, but Mayan Face seems to be the more politically correct phrase and a better translation from the Spanish phrase that is used here. When viewed from the right angle, the ridge line resembles the profile of a face, with the highest peak representing the nose.
This trail run is amazing. It has 2000 ft. in elevation gain in 1 1/2 miles. One of the great things is that there are stunning views of the Lake and surrounding volcanoes most of the way up. At the top there are 360 degree views of the lake and countryside. These are the kinds of trails that make a running vacation memorable!
This is a 360 degree panoramic shot from the top of Mayan Face. You can see all of Lake Atitlan, 5 volcanoes, several towns near the lake as well as the town of Santa Clara down the backside. What do you want in a good trail running tour?






