Angst

Wow. 2020. After the last hike, my first hike since July, the skies turned gray with smoke from the Silverado Fire. Funny, I had been dreaming and contemplating about heading out to Silverado Canyon to take in the yellow Maple leaves of fall. It was the month of October, so fire season gave us quite a few fires up and down the state those couple of weeks. And then, the election. Again, 2020. Wow.

In between the two (the fires and the elections) I did manage to get out for a long walkabout in my local stomping grounds. (I know, I need to get out to other trails, but gosh . . . 2020). I decided to go long(ish) on Halloween day without working myself up to it, and I am so grateful for it.

I hiked 12.5 miles (yes, the Big Loop @ Aliso/Woods) with a moderate amount of elevation gain,1,480’. My legs really started feeling it around mile 9. And they felt like jelly at the end. I must say that it felt good to push it. Got rid of some angst (at least temporarily).

My photo strategy for the day: Mile Markers.

Aliso Canyon Wood Canyon  Wood Canyon  Wood CanyonCholla Trail

West RidgeWest Ridge

Alta Laguna Blvd. (after exiting park en route to enter again to close up loop)Overlooking the Pacific on way to Meadows TrailMeadows TrailMeadows TrailAliso Canyon