Scouting Expedition

Day 44 of my running streak, I decided to run a scouting expedition.  I went dressed for running to a work meeting.  And directly afterward, I ran straight out to Trabuco Trail about 1.5 miles away for this scouting expedition.

Ever since I started investigating the trails along San Juan and Trabuco Creek, I had this idea of an epic run (an idea that was run by me a couple times by my old running partner, Tom.)  But when I finally found Trabuco Trail about a year ago and saw that it was closed, I put the idea aside.  Then the other day, while running around San Juan Capistrano, I saw that a new trail had been constructed just above Trabuco Trail.  I thought to myself – indeed the epic run is alive!

My idea is to run from the beach to the peak – that is Doheny Beach to Santiago Peak.  I’m sure it’s been done before, yet I can’t find specific information on the internet about such a run.  I have no idea how many miles the route is.  But I do know that it would probably be my most difficult run to date.  And I do know that it’s a bit crazy.  I’m even kind of afraid to try and get a group or even a single person to join me, because I have my reputation you know.  LOL.  But I do know without trail closures, a trail run from Doheny to Santiago Peak is possible.  And so, today I ran that new Trabuco Trail with the limited time I had to scout it out.

So, I took off on the “old” Trabuco Trail and struck a pose in front of the “closed” sign I soon ran up on:

And I took the new, upper-trail.  It doesn’t run along the creek, and I could see the “old” trail below, which looked in good condition to me.  The lower closed trail was natural and kind of rugged.  The new trail was groomed with wood chips and moved alongside a private school.  The kids were at lunch, some were in P.E. class.  Lots of the children waved.

After crossing the creek, I made my way to the original trail.  It meandered through mustard plant fields, then to my utter delight, an orange grove.  I could hear the cars speeding by on the freeway a few hundred yards away.  The trail had no climbing and was quite tranquil despite the freeway.  There was nothing technical about it, no hills, ruts, rocks or gulleys, but it was still beautiful.

Then the trail turned right.  I ran beneath both the southbound and northbound Interstate 5 Freeways.  It was dark, loud, long (I’d guess 8 to 10 lanes worth) and quite eerie.  But I could see the “light at the end of the tunnel” and looked forward to discover where I’d come out.

To my great surprise I came out at the bridge pictured below.  I’ve driven past it hundreds of times and have always thought, “That’s an odd place for a bridge.”  Ms. Trail Runner didn’t even think that it might cross the creek TO CONNECT TRAILS!  I had actually thought it was an old, possibly abandoned, unused bridge.  Funny girl. 

At the end of the bridge there were 2 trails to choose from.  I chose the one that went up and had the word “Trabuco” in it.  I ran Trabuco Ridge.  Again, the trail was uneventful, easy running rolling hills (well, all were not that easy, but it’s all relative right?)  Soon I ran high above the freeways and I could see that I was passing Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on my far left. 

I ran up and down these grassy hills, coming across only two other people.  They sat together on the grass beneath an umbrella in practically the middle of nowhere.  We all smiled and waved as I passed.  I noticed that they were drinking water  – perhaps something else, I mean what the heck were they doing there???  LOL. 

There she is!  Santiago Peak:

Eventually, I had to turn back because I needed to pick the boys up from school.  On the return trip I spied four deer frolicking on the hillside.  If you look closely in the picture below, you might see them.  (You might have to click the picture for a larger view).

Making better time than I expected, I took the time for some photo ops while  crossing Trabuco Creek:

No, I’m not dancing.  I’m trying to sit down in time before the camera clicks:

And then I crossed the creek and ran back to my car parked at my work for a run totaling 8.40 miles (13.52 km).

Trabuco Creek: