Veterans Day Hike 2020

I woke at 5 am on Veterans Day, which is a federal holiday that isn’t observed by most of the population. Pretty much only government or bank employees are off work – all of the public schools, libraries, banks and the post offices are closed. This is why I always hike to celebrate Veterans Day – I am off work and am afforded the luxury to do so. I woke at 5:00 am on this Veterans Day, earlier than planned, but only 30 minutes earlier. I’ve been waking early a lot lately. I don’t even use an alarm anymore. Originally, I planned to hike in the San Gabriel Mountains with an old friend. But he texted about 5:30 saying that he woke with a sore throat. Sore throat is a bad word during this pandemic, so we decided to postpone.

Ended up that this cancellation was for the best because I didn’t know that my strength was dwindling as I neared the end of an extended fast. I hadn’t realized one bit at home that I was weak. But as soon as I tried to take on those hills I knew. I decided a US flag hike was being called for so and fortunately I picked the easiest. The easiest just so happens also to be the closest. The Las Ramblas Trails are just a few miles away from my front door which means they have views of what I call home: Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and the Pacific Ocean.

The route that I planned to the flag was about 4.25 miles roundtrip. My legs felt a little wobbly at the onset, and I had to rest here and there on the hills because my breathing was not very controlled. This was not a big problem to me. I took it with stride because I can’t complain about stopping to take in the awesome views on such a day as this. I was grateful for it. What a gorgeous day it was!

Brrrrrr, it was cold!

Altered Version of The Big Loop @ Aliso

These pictures are from so long ago that I barely remember the hike. I don't know anything from digital data because for some reason my data was not saved! Interesting. This is at least the third time that I neglected to save my data on my Amazfit watch. And that's really odd to me because I always press "save.". So, there may be a gliche in this sports watch. But I posted live video on Facebook, so from that I know that the date of my last hike was August 22, and the final mileage was around eleven miles (which was 2 more miles than I planned -- it's starting to come back to me now). I also remember really forcing myself out the front door of my home. I didn't want to go. But I knew that I needed it. I started in Moulton Meadows Park, a city park in Laguna Beach. From there I took Meadows down into Aliso Canyon, then made my way over to Wood Canyon. I was a good mile in (was on Meadows by then) before I was glad that I forced it. And the rest of the hike, though it was quite warm, was good medicine. Very good medicine, as usual. At the end of Wood Canyon, I climbed Cholla to West Ridge and made my way along the ridge until I eventually was back at my truck in Moulton Meadows.

I may have already mentioned that I am back to work. I have also recently learned that Old Goat races are back on this year. Things are hectic and last minute, but I'll have more news when the permits and sanctions are approved. Until then, here are some of my favorite pictures from a slightly altered version of The Big Loop at Aliso/Woods Canyons. 

 

 

One Foot In Front Of The Other

Tuesday (July 16) I hit the trails pretty late in Laguna Beach.I can do this (despite the heat) because when I'm hiking, it seems like I can pretty much take any temperature, especially if I take time to cool down in the shaded areas. 

June Gloom is definitely gone (for the most part). We may be socked in during most mornings but that all burns off by afternoon on the Southern California Coast. Nowadays, I'm rarely on the trails, unless it's afternoon. Naturally, it was hot on Tuesday, but still, we haven't seen real heat around here for a while. I'm betting the temperature in the coastal hills was at most 85 degrees Fahrenheit (but it was probably a few degrees less). It can definately get much hotter.

I decided to go down Car Wreck Trail, which is quite steep and rocky.  My legs felt a little tight still from the prior two days of back-to-back short runs. Car Wreck Trail, even going down, was strenuous but it had breath taking views. And near the bottom, about where the car wreck is, the trail get's cool and shady. As you may know, shade is very important. Shade is the reason that I decided not to take up Mathis up out of the canyon. I opted instead for Rock It -- eventhough Rock It is probably more difficult than Mathis, there's little bits of shade! Wonderful shade.

Going down Car Wreck Trail

After a leisurely yet focused hike down Car Wreck Trail, I took Mathis to Coyote Run. Winding in and out from Wood Creek, there was plenty of shade on the trail. Not surprisingly, I didn't see anyone on foot. Most people in the middle of the afternoon opted for sandy beaches just over the hill. 

And then of course, I hiked up Rock It to West Ridge. One foot in front of the other is how I conquered that trail. Just like in life, one foot in front of the other. In all that strategy closed up a 6.19 mile lollipop loop with a elevation gain of 1,191. Much needed.

Coyote Run Trail

Rock It: