2011 USATF National Championships (Day 4-Men's Jr 5K Final)-Eugene, OR

Spider freshman, Ryan Lee added to his brilliant year by placing 12th in the 5000M at the 2011 USATF Jr National Championships in Eugene, OR.  Lee ran 14:42.84 in these championships (RESULTS HERE).  Earlier this season he ran 14:33.61 at the Mt SAC Relays. (Mike Scott Photo)

Lee opened the USATF 5000M Jr National Championships with splits of:
400M (70.3), 800M (2:23.0), 1200M (3:30.8) and 1600M (4:37.8). (Mike Scott Photo)

He was running in great position and a quick pace.  (Mike Scott Photo)

He passed through 2000M (5:45.3), 2400M (6:54.6) and 2800M (8:04.2) in contact with the leaders...(Mike Scott Photo)

By 3000M (8:38.8) and 3200M (9:14.3) he was looking at the shoulders of the leaders in 10th place as part of the large pack. (Mike Scott Photo)

The following laps were solid as he passed 3600M (10:25.5) and 4000M (11:38.5)...but he was starting to lose ground on the top 3 as they started to pick-up the pace. (Mike Scott Photo)

Ryan Lee in 11th of 19 at 4400M....12:53.3...he was now
one chasing the lead pack...He was racing hard. (Mike Scott Photo)

Lee was running in 11th place at 4800M (14:07.1) before kicking home to finish 11th in Heat #2 and 12th over-all in the 2011 USATF Jr National Championships for 5000M.  His finish time of 14:42.84 would have put him in the top 5 most years, but good conditions and 46 entries ensured the pace would be honest. (Mike Scott Photo)

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The Search for Vivian Lake...

After Andrew Benford and Nicol Traynor competed in the races they joined Jon Molz in the search for Vivian Lake.  The trail to Vivian Lake starts from Salt Creek Falls, the 2nd highest waterfall in Oregon and is located south of Eugene on Rt 58.

Salt Creek carves a deep canyon through the area...

The sign for Vivian Lake Trail...

The trail to Vivian Lake joins up with Diamond Creek...

Diamond Creek has the upper and lower Diamond Creek Waterfalls...This photo is not one of the falls.

As Molz, Benford and Traynor ran they found more and more snow covering the trail.

At on point the trail emptied onto a logging road closed to traffic.

The views from Vivian Lake Trail...but still no Vivian Lake.

More snow...but still no Vivian lake to be found anywhere.

Nicol Traynor stopped for a photo on their unplanned 90 minute run...Still...no Vivian Lake in sight. 

After not finding Vivian Lake, Nicol and Andrew get a photo at upper Diamond Falls.

Andrew and Jon running up out of Salt Creek below the Salt Creek Waterfall.

Steep?  Yes...Yes it was!

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Heading to Upper Diamond Creek Falls...

Luke crossing Salt Creek above the falls...

Luke on the trail to upper Diamond Creek Falls...

View of the canyon holding Salt Creek...

Luke messing with the elusive "snow snake"...Not common to see one of these.

Stairs cut out of a log on the trail to Diamond Creek Falls..

A solid log in place serving as a foot bridge across Diamond Creek...

Lori and Luke crossing Diamond Creek.

Upper Diamond Creek Waterfall...

On the way out....the canyon view overlooking Salt Creek...

Salt Creek Falls again...

A look over the edge...a 287 foot drop...

Salt Creek Waterfall

A wild flower growing out of the rock...

Salt Creek Falls from below...

(L-R) Nicol Traynor, Andrew Benford and Jon Molz below Salt Creek Falls...