What to do about Horse Thief Trail–just keep going up it. Face your nemesis, and sooner or later you’ll conquer.

Early to bed, early to rise.  That’s the way I like it.  This morning I drove up Ortega Highway to Blue Jay Campground to meet fellow runner Jeremy.  I would never run the trails up there alone, so I was so happy that Jeremy agreed to accompany me.  I posted the run on the OCTR, but this morning, no other takers.  All you need is two to make a group right?

Right?  The main thing I learned as a young girl in Girl Scouts is the buddy system – always take someone with you.  I don’t always do that in my local hills.  But in the mountains the buddy system in my mind is crucial.  Cougars roam up there!  (The other precious gem I learned in Girl Scouts was, “Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold.”)

The weather was overcast.  Delight, delight.  And to my surprise the campground was pretty  crowded.  (Spring break in our parts right now.)  Jeremy showed the way for a quicker route to San Juan Trail that I completely forgot about.  I would have taken us around the long way on PAVEMENT.  Right away on that first trail though, a rocky single track, I actually fell!  The fall really took me by surprise – I was down before I knew I was falling.  I usually don’t fall first thing.  Falls normally happen when I’m super tired or giddy.  Perhaps I was giddy.

I have to go back and research to know for sure.  But I think that’s fall #11.  But it might be more, since I’ve fallen a few times lately after a long sabbatical of no falls.  I don’t recall seeing any other runners on this lovely run.  We saw some hikers (one guy who seemed to eye us suspiciously, like he thought we were a couple of nuts running in the mountains.)  Some dirt bikers plowed up the trails, and we also met a couple of mountain bikers at Trabuco Creek.  Overall, the trails were pretty empty, especially Horse Thief Trail and the Main Divide afterwards. 

The Run elevation profile below:  3,014 feet elevation gain (Horse Thief runs from a little after the 5 mile mark to about 7 miles).

Running, well . . . actually posing on San Juan Creek Trail. 

Running down Trabuco Trail

By the time we reached Trabuco Creek, Jeremy pointed out my knee.  Yikes!  It didn’t look like this after the fall!

Time for a group picture and a hesitant moment before the big climb up Horse Theif.  Notice I’ve taken off my long sleeved shirt.  The climb is really the most difficult I’ve encountered.  Tougher than Bulldog in Malibu Creek Park (though Horse Thief thankfully, is shorter). 

Going Up Horse Thief

At the top at last, running the Main Divide

Pretty yellow flowers alongside the trail – it’s springtime!

Jeremy poses with Lake Elsinore far below

I think, I’m not positive, that Horse Thief was a little easier this time.  One advantage going up today was that the temperatures have lowered and the sun hid behind the clouds.  If only I could get out there once a week to train, I think I’d greatly improve.  Thanks to one brave runner, Jeremy, I was able to get out there and run this morning.  (That’s not to say there’s not lots of brave runners out there, it just takes a lot to get up here, waking early, and a driving a long windy drive up a mountain with other drivers riding your tail to get over the mountain, etc.) 

Quite a run!  Very enjoyable, not to mention tiring.  I call that a plus/plus.  Miles logged:  12

ps.  some of these pictures are courtesy Jeremy, I didn’t mark the exact ones, because I’m so dang tired, happily tired.

Aliso Summit Trail

I got a late start on this HOT morning.  I didn’t hit the pavement until 10:30 or so.  Today’s concoction:  Run out my door to Aliso Summit Trail (which is above Aliso/Wood Canyons Park).  It’s actually the ridge along Aliso Canyon.  I’ve never run Aliso Summit Trail, but knew it existed.  And I have often wondered if I could take it down into the canyon.  More than one person has told me that it’s paved, which kept me away these past couple years. 

My goal today was find a route down to Aliso Creek, cross it, then run up Meadows and then to Top of the World. 

Running the road – I’ve got to run to the top and over the hills ahead to reach Aliso Summit Trail

The climb up Pacific Island was pretty dang hellish.  The sun beamed down.  Cars whizzed by (which I was actually thankful for because of their breeze) and the grade was steep.  I ran up the bike lane.  But those cars drove down so fast, that I often jumped up onto the curb edge that was littered with glass to add an imaginary wall of safety between me and the cars.

I ran the entire road up.  No shade.  But I carried plenty of water on my back.  I think what made that portion of the run bearable was that I ran it with an empty mind.  Really.  I didn’t think about a thing.

Finally Reaching Top of Pacific Island Drive (Notice 7% grade sign in background)

Entrance to Aliso Summit Trail

First off, though the first twenty five feet or so was paved, overall this trail was not paved.  It’s a dirt trail with spectacular views.  At times, the trail is gravel.  And exquisite homes back up against the entire trail.   I ran past two different maintenance crews actually parked on the trail trimming the landscape at the back of these homes.

As a whole, the trail offered very little shade.  Right away, a road runner ran past me.  When I whipped out my camera, I dropped it in the dirt.  Scampering to get a picture of the colorful bird, he ran down the slope before I could.  I also came upon a few hikers and one runner.  All along, I scoured the steep slope for some route down into the canyon.  Though I didn’t see any, I was sure to find one eventually.  I investigated every hint of a trail downward. 

View of Pacific Ocean from Summit Trail (That’s Aliso Beach out there)

California Poppies along the Trail

Aliso Canyon

Well, Aliso Summit eventually dumped me out into a neighborhood.  I picked up the trail again a block away, searching, searching, searching for a way down.  Now way past Meadows Trail, I could see the ranger station, BUT NO WAY DOWN.  My husband had asked me, “Please no ‘cross country’ running today?”  He meant he didn’t want me bushwhacking or sliding down slopes.  I obliged his wishes.

And then.  AND THEN, you will not believe this!  The trail ended at a locked gate.  What is the deal with these trails that end at locked gates?  I was out of water (though I did have some coconut water still in my pack), I was hot and I was fatigued.  There was no way into the gated community.  A single track ran off to the left, which I took with hope in my heart that I’d find a way down to the ranger station, down to shade and water.  I ran that trail (pictured below) to a another dead end, and a slope so steep that I couldn’t rightfully attempt after assuring my husband “no cross country running.” 

I cannot adequately relay how disappointing this was.  I could see the ranger station!  And there was no way I wanted to run the Summit Trail all the way back in that blaring sun with no water (I was saving the small container of coconut water until I was really desperate).  As I ran along the trail, gate after gate into the upscale community was LOCKED.  And then I saw this:

Who’s idea was it to put a sturdy trashcan next to a locked gate??  My Pal – that’s who!

Well, I climbed up onto that trashcan, got on top of that gate and jumped down into the grass on the other side.  I didn’t even fall.

Bye-bye Aliso Summit Trail!

I ran through this gated neighborhood and exited out a gate at the bottom.  Thankfully, from the inside the gate is unlocked.  And then I ran the roads some more while drinking my coconut water.  I ran to the closest shopping center where my husband and two youngest boys were waiting to take this lady crusted in salt to lunch and drive her home. 

Miles logged today:  10

Rating of Aliso Summit Trail:  Thumbs down.

Got to Love an Adventure

Perhaps I am certifiably insane.  Perhaps I’m merely an explorer.  I don’t know.  I just love an adventure and I probably spend too much time on my hair-brained ideas.

Today’s concoction:  Run the bike path (or the riverwalk, as I call it) above San Juan Creek.  But instead of running into the historic district and downtown San Juan Capistrano as I usually do when I run the riverwalk, I planned to turn off and follow the bike trail that I pass over on the freeway almost every day.

So I strapped on my pack full of water and other essentials and headed down the highway.  About a mile in, I realized my hands were empty and I gasped, “I forgot my water!”

Uhhh, Lauren, your water’s on your back. 

Funny how the brain confuses.  I never wear a pack when I run the road.  Today though, I wasn’t sure where I’d end up, so I put on the pack.

I took Sycamore Creek Trail to the “Riverwalk".  No creek runs along this trail.  Though some small Sycamores grow along the side.  Actually, the trail runs through an exercise park with a dozen or so stations along the way.

Exercise, Exercise, Come on Everybody do your Exercise

Running along the “riverwalk” aka bike path – Enjoyable?  Yes.  Hot?  Yes!  The cement path offers very little shade opportunities.  Though the sound of rushing water helped me feel refreshed.

The long, lonely road.  For some reason, just like with trails, I tend to veer to the edge. 

Running beneath the road (Camino Capistrano) meant shade!!  Up head, more shade as I ran beneath the freeway (I-5).

Okay, I didn’t care about the heat about now, because I’m feeling a trail coming on . . .

Ahhhh, yes.  After a quick stop at a water fountain in a park (because I didn’t want to run out of my supply) I happened upon a nice, slightly muddy equestrian trail.  Notice the shade – glorious, glorious shade.  (Today, by the way, was the hottest day in a long time)

I felt good, confident that I knew where I was headed.  My plan: reach a ridge a few miles up. 

There’s only one problem.  I ran this trail until it ended.  I mean ENDED. It ended at the locked gates of the equestrian center on Highway 74.  I couldn’t find any way around it.  And as it was, I was on the wrong side of the creek.  Well, I disobeyed (who me?) the signs that warned to stay on the trail.   There was no way I was turning around and running all the way back.  My plan – cross the creek, or rather creeks at this point and find a trail on the other side.

I crossed the first creek merely submerging my shoes.  The second creek, same thing.  The main creek however flowed rather quickly, and appeared about knee deep.  I scoured the land for a way to cross.  Two ducks swiftly floated by.

When I’d find a trail, I’d take it until I found myself boxed in by shrubbery so thick, I was forced to turn around and take the trail back in search for another trail.  This occurred again and again, the brush was so dense.

Finally I phoned my husband so he could look on the Google Earth and find a way.  He reported that I took the wrong trail – I was on the wrong side of the creek. 

Really?

Noticing mountain lion tracks in the mud (be sure I know my cougar tracks, they are unmistakable once you know them), I told him, I’m just crossing the stream.  “No,” hubby pleaded.  He said that he hated not being there to make sure I didn’t get swept up in the creek.  So while he scoured the satellite maps with the computer freezing up, I talked to him as I crossed the stream.  It wasn’t quite knee deep – I’d say it was 3/4’s calve high.  But it did flow swiftly.  I slipped only once, but made the other side safely.  On the other side – no trails!  Just massive brush.  I ducked beneath branches.  I trampled through poison oak.  Really, I had no choice.  I could see the steep riverbank, but could find no way to it.  Hanging up the phone so that I could concentrate and listen for dangers, I trudged through that stuff knowing I had to get to San Juan Creek Road (according to a very helpful husband who by the way, wasn’t too thrilled about my adventure – but perhaps he’s getting used to this).

Boxed in again.  Ahhh.  Duh!

Finally, I saw the light.  A way up the bank.  I scrambled up that bank to find a massive hunk of thick, knee-high brush.  I plowed my way through that and what do you know!  An equestrian trail!  A lovely, muddy equestrian trail!  Just a little ways a head, I spotted a street sign that read “San Juan Creek Road!” 

When I reached the road, I ran a stretch of pavement with delight in my heart, not to mention flashbacks of those cougar tracks running through my mind. 

Soon I reached the trail I aimed for.  And I ran up to that ridge for a bit of treasure – a view of San Juan Capistrano (I could even see the mission) and behind me, the foothills of The Cleveland National Forest.

I grew extremely fatigued on my (more direct) run back.  At one point, I realized that I would run near our boys’ school about the time my husband picked them up.  (It’s “early out” all week).  So, I put in one more call to cut this run about 3 miles short.  I asked if he could please wait for me and take me home.  My better half offered to better that, and pick me up at my current location.  I insisted that he just wait, perhaps drive up the road from the school and wait for me at the “riverwalk.” 

Turns out, he arrived at the exact same time as I did.  I hopped into the truck, dead-dog tired, happy to see my two youngest, who weren’t so interested in seeing me as they busily planned the rest of their “early-out” day.

Miles logged on this adventure:  11 (though it seemed like so much more!)

To be determined:  status of poison ivy tramping. 

Injuries:  just a few scrapes on the legs.  

ps.  times like this, I feel like the luckiest person on Earth.

pss.  and then I went to work, the students were wonderful, except for one exceptional student I had to “yell down,” and threaten he was out of the program unless he turned in some work today (this after he called me a liar!).  Needless to say, he turned in some work.  And though he still thinks I hate him.  I don’t.  (I could have booted him after the “liar” comment.  But I just don’t have the heart).  Okay, is that TOO MUCH INFO???

It’s so hard to watch people with “talent” for lack of a better word, to waste it.  I on the other hand have no such “talent” (except to be freakishly organized and feel unorganized), but I make do.  And so can you!

Some Nourishment for the Soul

With the end of the month at hand, I’ve made all of my fitness goals, except for swimming and weight training.  That meant that beneath these beautiful dry blue skies I could not run today.  I suppose I can do anything I want, but I didn’t allow myself to run today.  Today, I swam after about forty-five minutes of strengthening.

Blogger Windnsnow once commented on this blog “Running elevates your soul. Swimming nourishes it.”  Today, I felt that water nourishing an unnourished soul. And I kept on going for more, swimming 500 more yards than I had planned.  In total, I swam 2,000 yards (1829 meters, or 1.25 miles which is 80 laps in my gym’s 25 yard pool).  I felt reinvigorated afterwards.

I think I must have over-nourished, because back at home, all I wanted to do was sleep.  I slept off and on from 1:30 until about 5:00 PM.  I NEVER do that.

Wishing you all a great week!

I’ll leave you with this.  I used to be a fisherman (fisherwoman???).  Some more blasts from the past:

1984 Showing off my tiny perch.  Yes, we fried it up.

1984  Some bigger catches / Rainbow Trout

1985 Some Brook Trout (though the bigger catch may be a Rainbow Trout)

1991 A secluded pool up stream, miles away from civilization / click on picture to enlarge and you can see the Brook Trout in hand. Don’t ask me about the bandana on my head – I don’t remember, and I can’t explain it.

Same day, same place as above – notice the canteen hanging on the rock, I’m fairly positive there’s water in there and nothing else (don’t own one of those anymore, today, I’d probably be wearing a hydration pack FILLED WITH WATER, plus a few Nuun tablets : )  I was so, so young in this picture.  (Let’s see 1991 – 1965 = 26 years old!!).  See the tiny tattoo on right shoulder – I was actually carded to get that when a mere child (18).  Today it’s so faded, I’m not sure you can even see it. LOL.  Oh, how the glorious days go by.  Now we have to relive it through our children with their own lovely souls.  Hopefully, they will learn to nourish theirs’.

Group Running in the Mud and Rain

This morning I got to run with strangers.  And I got to run with an old friend, Tom (by old, I don’t mean “old person”, I mean the running friend who pretty much taught me how to run trails more than two years ago). 

Wasn’t supposed to rain today for the OCTR’s new member run.  But it rained.  And it rained.  And it rained.  Surprisingly, the county didn’t close the trails at Aliso/Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.  Well . . . they didn’t close ALL the trails.

Out of our group of 8, four continued on with me for the “big” loop up Wood Canyon, Cholla Trail, West Ridge to Top of the World, then back via Meadows Trail.  This is opposite the way I usually run this loop.  If you follow, you might recall I normally run up Meadows down Cholla. 

WELL, the trails were muddy and slippery, but not too badly through Wood Canyon and up Cholla.  Running along West Ridge was cold and of course rainy.  No one would have known unless I mentioned it that the Pacific Ocean was to our right.  The skies were that murky and gray. (The four runners who carried on were from out of the immediate area, 3 of them from the running group train4autism.)

What a great relief to reach Top of the World.  Some of us were cold, all of us a little tired of the slippery climb.  When it came to choosing a route back, the group voted to take the route with the most pavement (these delightful runners are mainly road runners, and I wanted to do what they wanted, especially since I can run this park any ole’ day).  I cautioned my fellow runners that Meadows was going to be a slippery slide.  But I think the mile and a half paved run was all too tempting to consider what we “might” encounter on Meadows.  (I’ve run Meadows enough to know that it gets the muddiest of all the trails).

New Member Run, Tom on far left, I forgot the next 2 runner’s names (sorry) and the last four on right I ran the big loop with (Justin, Alex, Shannon and Sarah)

When we finally arrived at Meadows Trail (I’m not too keen about running pavement – did I already mention that?  Seems like I always mention that), we found Meadows Trail CLOSED.  Closed!  A couple runners suggested running back.  I reminded them of the route they originally declined.  The others said, forget the closed sign – let’s go for it. 

And so we did.

What a slippery ride it was.  This was one tough group for sure.  We grabbed onto branches to stay upright.  We fell in the mud.  We laughed.  We groaned.  Alex lead the way, and he pretty much said, “screw the switchback” and took us straight down when we could through the grassy parts.  I must clarify that he never said the word “screw.”  He was never more than positive and polite.  I avoided the grass when I could because of ticks.  But then finally I just gave in, because it was so much easier to get a grip in the grass.

I also felt badly for leading this group into the mudslide on their first time on these trails in Aliso/Wood Canyons.  I had to at least once remind them, “Remember?  I said it was going to be MUDDY.”  (The alternative I had suggested was very rocky, much less muddy, but included a detour due to another closed trail, that would have added about a 1/4 mile to the total run.)

Every one of the runners today were true troopers.  We made it back happily to the ranger station, tired, glad to be finished, no injuries and with a fun muddy story to tell.

Thanks for coming out running partners.  Hope to see you all again.

Sliding Down Meadows Trail

My Shoes in the Mud

A Field of Lupin on Meadows’ Slippery Descent

Miles logged this morning:  11.5