Maple Springs Rd.

Last Saturday (11/20), I got out early for Maple Springs Rd. Well, I woke early, but didn’t get out terribly early (about 7 am). I love Maple Springs Rd., though I don’t choose it often (especially during summer). It’s a slow drive to get to this particular switchback up Old Saddleback. Like most the other switchbacks, it leads to The Main Divide (the truck trail that runs along the ridge). The speed limit through Silverado is 25 mph, making the drive just under 90 minutes from my front door to my not-so-secret parking space where the asphalt ends.  I was thrilled to find the spot open to park at the end of the one-lane asphalt road. I thought for sure that I’d need to get out a heck of a lot earlier to get this awesome parking place. I felt lucky.

The time was perfect now that it is fall and the weather’s cooled own. If my records prove correct, my last trip up Maple Springs Rd. was January 27, 2021. Not even a year ago but it seems so distant. Feels surreal.

Being that Maple Springs Rd. is one of the only roads that lead to The Main Divide that is open to vehicles right now (Bedford Rd. being the other that I know of) it was quite busy with motor traffic. I’m okay with that. There were times when trucks or motorcycles rumbled by and there were times when I didn’t know there was another person on the mountain:

About 9 miles with some decent elevation – still haven’t uploaded my watch. I need to do that.

Nothing Ever Stays The Same

We had a little heat wave last weekend, in the middle of fall. That isn’t too unusual for California. We can have a heat wave in January. I just wasn’t mentally prepared. (And if given the choice, I skip the hot days!)

Friday, November 12, I set out for a secret place off the beaten path in Aliso/Wood Wilderness. It had been a while and I had a longing for this certain spot. Fortunately, it’s pretty close to the trailhead and I need that being that I am still not in great shape. The hike down Wood Canyon was lovely and shady, quite comfortable. I wore my hiking boots for some reason (even though I didn’t need them) but that made this hike even easier. Wearing hiking boots is like four-wheel drive compared to two-wheel drive trail shoes.

It’s been a while since I’ve noticed any abrupt changes in Wood Canyon. But things always change. It’s only a matter of time. That’s our Earth – from day to day, it’s different. The creek re-routes, huge trees come down, cliffs erode. You name it. Last Friday, I came up the remains of an enormous, lovely old tree that used to provide much shade for Coyote Run Trail. I’ve sat  beneath it countless times. I have even climbed it. But this wonderful tree is no more, having finally been cut down. It was sad to see it go; I felt super fortunate for knowing this tree. (Here’s a pic. of the tree in it’s splendor in 2011 and another from 2018)

The second change on this hike is that the rangers have finally pinpointed and marked the unmarked trail to this secret spot, making it officially out of bounds. There’s a sign now that says I can’t pass. I took it anyway, one last time. All the debris had been cleared from the trail. The secret spot (which wasn’t mine only – there was evidence of others knowing this wonderful spot) was as well cleared out. The shade tunnel formed from branches that I used to walk through was gone and all the undergrowth was cleared out.  So, this was my last visit. And a lovely visit it was. I felt fortunate for having known this spot just as I felt fortunate for having known that tree.

Approximately 5.5 miles total. I still haven’t uploaded my watch which is sitting in my truck nearly a week later.

Veterans Day Stroll Along The Headlands

One of the gems within walking distance from my front door: The Headlands. It takes some balance and focus but just keep on going until you find a doorway in the rocks.

Too Long

Gone are my wanderings of late. There’s reasons for that. I’m working on other things. I’m concerned. I’m pre-occupied and I’m watching. I’m at peace at home but then I go and look out there at the big ole’ world (I need to stop doing that!) There’s things happening that I never thought I’d see – things of nightmarish novels I read in my youth. Why am I being vague? You probably know why. People from both sides of the thought spectrum are “cancelled” for talking about the “wrong” things. Privacy, freedom of speech, individual rights, they don’t seem to mean much anymore. When I lose my focus, these things distress me. I hate that weight. And so I’ve been turtling. Aside from my trips to the beach, I hunker down in my home away from the world. I try to grow there. I have a few secret places on my own little piece of property for retreat.

I stop by the shore often in the morning, at sunrise if I can manage. I watch and listen to the waves. Time escapes me sitting before the Pacific and before I know it, three hours have passed and I need to rush home for a Zoom meeting.

The Pacific Ocean (from Doheny Beach, Dana Point, CA):

On one such recent morning, I noticed a lone swimmer out past the waves as I stared off at the horizon. It was one of those mornings when time escaped me and before I knew it, hours had passed. How can so much time pass without even realizing? Well, there’s much to be see, much to hear, and much to smell and feel down at the seashore. That’s my excuse.

After all that time,  the swimmer was still out there – in the wilderness just on the outskirts of civilization! (Get where I’m going here?) What a longing that this put into me! Right then, I decided to 36 hour fast (for I had not yet eaten for the day) and hike up to one of my secret places the next day to break my fast. Why add the fast? I suppose to make it more special, to add more purpose. Well, I sobbed at this decision. Later, in anticipation, I choked back tears more than once. It had been too long. 

The next morning (November 6), I was up before sunrise and drove through a thick fog to Black Star Canyon. I had lots on my mind. I had lots of questions, and much to let go of (or at least try and release). I thought I would suffer physically because it had been so long since I hiked mountain trails. Honestly, because I anticipated physical suffering, I kind of wanted physical suffering. There’s a kind of cleansing I feel in physical suffering. I felt that would do me good at this particular moment in time. But I felt so good by the time I reached the Native American “village” that I thought for sure I could have made it to the Main Divide without issue. I broke my fast with some cheddar cheese, crackers and a beef stick at  about 10:30 am while sitting on a huge boulder overlooking Black Star Canyon. Baker’s Cross stood straight ahead in the distance.

Beautiful hike. About 10.5 miles. Much tears. Some sadness. But greater joy.

Black Star Canyon: