Scouting Saddleback Marathon Trails

I managed to head to The Saddleback Mountains this past Sunday to scout some of the marathon trails. It was a warm Autumn day for sure – our cool down trend has not occurred but is much anticipated. Anyway, Blue Jay Campground was closed for improvements. They’re fixing it up for us! I cannot tell you how great it was to be back up in that campground. (Yes, I snuck in!).

Anyway, below are some quick pictures of mainly San Juan Trail and The Viejo Tie which are part of the marathon course. We’ve got fresh poison oak out there, which is normal. And only one fallen tree (so far). Overall, except for some overgrowth, the trails look great.

More previews to follow.

The Main Divide on the Way in:

Poison Oak

San Juan Trail:

San Juan Trail, close to Viejo Tie

Viejo Tie

‘Bout Time

I last made my way to trails way back in April (6 months ago!) – during what Christians call our Holy Week. I was so looking forward to hiking to Baker’s Cross on Good Friday but I could not because I was sick in bed, exhausted with Covid. Anyway, that’s ancient history. I’ve done plenty of walking and exploring since then (New York, DC, TX). It feels like a whirlwind. I just haven’t had the time to do one of the things that I love most: get out on those mountain trails.

It’s always a little emotional returning after an absence. Seeing those mountains off in the distance is like seeing a long lost friend.

So, all I have to say is, it’s bout time! This past Saturday, during an Annular Eclipse, I returned to the scene of the crime, that is my Covid hike, Black Star Canyon. Beautiful as ever, though dry and lots of brown, I made my way up the canyon to one of the historic sites, the “Indian Village” (Indian as in Native Americans). The weather was still quite warm, cool in the morning, but quickly I needed to stop and layer down. I spent quite a bit of time in the “village”. Walked about a bit, tried out a couple of spots. Then I ate lunch perched on a shaded boulder over looking the valley, breaking an extended fast. It was a lovely time, and as I already wrote but must write again, it’s about time!

I will be back out very soon. I have trails to scout.

Just shy of 10.5 miles covered.

Saddleback Marathon -- 11/11/23

Time keeps marching on. And it always seems a little faster every day. Working lots of hours, some of them online, though I did need to take a few days off for a Texas trip in September. Not my first time to Texas, but I saw Austin for the first time and went to the Wendish Fest in Serbin. It was quite an adventure that I told already family and friends all about, not to mention hand wrote a journal version on acid free paper. So, I’ll be marching right on past that, onward to more relevant items, mainly the Saddleback Mountains, my giant secret place.

First: I finally got back to see my great love Old Saddleback, as they used to call it. My Covid hike was the last time I stepped foot into my beloved mountains, which is my longest absence in many years (about 6 months!). This trip was short, and LONG overdue and also apropos (more on how a little lower). The occasion was Madame Helena Modjeska’s birthday. This October 12, she would have been 182 years old. Many people don’t know of her, but we know of Madame Modjeska in The OC. Helena was the Shakespearean actress from Poland who built a home out here in Old  Saddleback during the late 1800s. We have a canyon and a major peak named after her now. Both are lovely places to visit. I’ve scrambled up Modjeska peak many times to sit in solitude above The OC, and I’ve driven through her canyon countless times, as it is the road to many wonderful trails and secret places.

Madame Modjeska’s Home:

So, why is my return to Old Saddleback so apropos? Well, this year, the Saddleback Marathon has returned. Registration has been open since September and I’m busy trying to get the word out. We’re super excited about the race this year. Same start / same finish, lower Blue Jay campgrounds. We’ve got a great team putting this together. Check us out and help us spread the word!

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