All Alone in Aliso / Wood Canyons

I went for a solo run in the wilderness this morning.  The air was so heavy with water, one might have said it was raining. The skies were gray, the marine layer thick. A perfect day for a gloomy run.

Feeling weak both physically and mentally lately (especially after the car accident), I needed this run.  I didn’t feel like making this run, that’s why I did it solo.  I didn’t want to hold anyone back.  It’s time though, time to get back on track

Me at the start of Aliso Canyon Trail (not too cheery)

I chose the loop that took me to the end of Wood Canyon, up Cholla Trail, across the ridge to Top of the World where I met Meadows Trail to take it on down.   Slow to start, and slow to end, I just ran.  And I ran, and I ran and I ran . . .  (and I took a few pictures too).

Running in Aliso Canyon on this Eerie Morn’

First Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon (no wet feet on this trail)

2nd Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon

 

Everything was beautiful right away today, despite the gloom.  I mostly thought about nothing, occasionally fighting against intruding thoughts.  And then I turned a bend in the trail (past the old corral, before the 3rd creek crossing) and there they were – two deer feeding on the grass.  They didn’t move, one continued grazing, the other trotted across the trail to graze further away.  I’m still astonished when I come upon deer on the trail.

Beauties

3rd Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon Trail

Solitude & Beauty (a nice combination)

4th & Final Creek Crossing on Wood Canyon Trail (standing on pipe, sandbags off to left)

A Quick look back on Wood Canyon while running up Cholla Trail

A Foggy Westridge & not a soul around

Looking down on Laguna Canyon Road, the Pacific Ocean hidden

Heading down Meadows Trail

Back in the Canyon

Miles logged:  11.74

Thoughts:  close to zero

Rewards:  lots