Paradise Falls

The last weekend of April I visited my oldest son who is a freshman in college up in Ventura County. The first night I caught the spring string symphony concert in which he plays violin. The next day, my son had to work, so I thought I’d take a hike-about some Ventura County trails. I had lots of time to spare since he did not get off work until 4:00 pm. So, first I took in breakfast at Denny’s, then leisurely made my way to the trailhead. It was easy to find. At the end of Avenida de los Arboles Road I found a dirt lot with dozens of cars parked at the Wildwood Regional Park trailhead for Mesa Trail. Apparently, there are many different places to enter this park, much more than I am used to with the wilderness areas around my home in Orange County.

Right off I was taken by the beauty of these trails. There wasn’t much shade out there on the Mesa. But I didn’t need it. The weather was cool and breezy. The hills were green with color. I was right at home in my element, exploring trails I have not been to before. I really love doing that – it is my favorite pastime.

My first stop was Lizard Rock, or rather, what I thought was Lizard Rock. After summiting this lovely perch above the mesa, I hiked back down to the trail where about a tenth of a mile later came up on a marker that pointed out Lizard Rock. It wasn’t the rock that I had just climbed down. So, I summited the actual Lizard Rock and took in the expansive mesa view once again.

Mesa Trail:Coming up on the “1st Lizard Rock,” actual Lizard Rock is the rock outcropping in the background:View from “1st Lizard Rock”:Looking back at “1st Lizard Rock”:View from the actual Lizard Rock:

The trails up to this point were moving with lots of people -- hikers, bikers and runners. But everyone disappeared once I turned off onto Lizard Trail and made my way down to Wildwood Canyon Trail. The hike along Wood Canyon Trail was also pretty empty. An occasional runner came by. And then, out of nowhere, I came upon a large shady picnic area with benches, bbq’s, bathrooms and even a drinking fountain that hosted several families. Apparently, people can reach this spot from other trails with shorter distances from the start. 

The continuing portion of Wildwood Canyon Trail was forestry with lots of shade. My kind of trails! I also made several creek crossings, some over protruding rocks, others over small plank bridges.

Wildwood Canyon Trail:

Paradise Falls came as a surprise. In other words, I did not hear it before I saw it as I expected. It was crowded with people. But despite the crowds, the area was surprisingly clean. Usually busy spots like this are marked with littler. Not so for Paradise Falls. It really was beautiful and I enjoyed the festive mood all those people brought along. Quite pleased to be there, I hung out for a good twenty minutes, sitting in various spots around the pool.

Paradise Falls:

After Paradise Falls I hiked up and behind it, following the creek along the way. I wasn’t sure if I was headed in the right direction for my next stop: Indian Cave. I questioned another hiker who looked like he knew where he was. He said that he knew the cave, and that “it wasn’t much.” But apparently, I was on the right track. Whether or not the cave was something worth seeing, I still wanted to check it off my “list.” (In quotes, because I didn’t really have a list, but I did map out this hike-run earlier in the week). So, off I marched on my way to Indian Cave. All the while, the views of the creek below continued to delight me to no end.

When I arrived to Indian Cave, it did look like “nothing much.” An unassuming wooden staircase led up to an opening in the rocks. Of course, I climbed the staircase. Not expecting much, I found a small but wonderfully charming cave. What a delightful, tranquil spot this was to sit and look down the canyon. Once inside, a small opening at the back of the cave became visible. You can be sure that I climbed through that opening which led to a nice little sitting area. In this spot, I was obscured by anyone who might be walking up the trail. And as it happened, a man and woman walked all the way up to Indian Cave as I sat there. They took a look at the staircase, and to my shock, turned around and left. They didn’t even climb up to explore. I was perfectly content though to continue having that cave all to myself.

Indian Cave was the biggest gem of this hike. And that says a lot, because Lizard Rock and Paradise Falls were wonderful!

Indian Cave:

After Indian Cave, I began the climb out to close up this loop. The trail was mostly shady with continued views of the creek. I even spotted another waterfall far below. Maybe on the next trip I’ll try and check that one out.

Very pleased with Wildwood Regional Park.

My route: Mesa Trail / Lizard Rock / Wildwood Canyon Trail / Paradise Falls Trail / Wildwood Canyon Trail / Indian Cave Trail / Indian Creek Trail / Avenida de los Arboles

5.51 miles, 1,206’ of elevation gain

Robber’s Cave (and also the Ketogenic Diet)

I am just about caught up with my recent trail blogs, this being the final outstanding one. Though it is late, I am sleepless at the moment. I am sitting in a hotel room right now after spending the day with my oldest son in Ventura County. He plays violin in a university symphony which had its spring concert tonight. It was a lovely concert, and an even better dinner with my son at The Outback Steakhouse. As I sit here pondering what to write about my last trail adventure, I’m not really sure where to start because I have other things that I'd like to report.

How about first, the last trail adventure? That was this past Sunday (4/22) when I ventured out for a hike (no running) in Wood Canyon. (Read further for more on the Ketogenic diet if that is why you are here). It was evening. The temperature was mild. And at about two miles in, I ventured off of Wood Canyon Trail onto Mathis Trail so that I could catch Dripping Cave Trail.

Dripping Cave Trail, is a short trail (I’m guessing about a mile or more in length). There is some elevation gain basically all in one spot. And there’s a nice size shallow cave toward the end (or beginning depending on which way you take the trail). The cave is named “Dripping Cave” officially, but also “Robber’s Cave” due to an infamous group of thieves who took it as a hideout in the late 1800s.

Dripping Cave Trail:

Dripping Cave is a lonely trail, which makes it all the better, sometimes even eerie. It’s shady and at times exposed. It’s quiet and unassuming. Quiet frankly, it’s a lovely and tranquil place to be -- I thoroughly enjoyed this careless hike. Especially liked seeing Robber’s Cave once again. In all, I enjoyed 6.42 miles of trails with 532 feet of elevation gain.

Aside from Dripping Cave (more pictures below – please scroll down if that is why you are here!), I really wanted to report on the progress of my ketogenic diet. For those of you who haven’t heard of a ketogenic way of eating, it is basically this: a diet high in fat, extremely low in carbs with a moderate intake of protein. My calories have been distributed pretty much like this: 75% fat, 20% protein and 5% carbs. I know that probably sounds ridiculous, mainly because it goes completely against everything that I have been taught about nutrition. And because it goes against everything that I have learned, it was quite difficult to begin this regimen. I began this way of eating on February 14, and really want to share my experience (as briefly as possible, though I’m not sure that it will be brief since my results are so profound).

I began this way of eating because I was desperate to loose some pounds. But it ends up the unintended consequences of this diet have far outweighed any weight loss. Below are my results. Some of them are provable (measureable) others are subjective, but be assured, I feel them, subjective or not. Eating this way has made a tremendous impact on my life. It really is like a drug:

1. I lost 26 pounds, and I don’t even care about losing weight because I feel so much better.
2. I am absolutely never, ever hungry.
3. I have shrunk 6 inches from my hips, 6 inches from my waist, 3 from each of my thighs and 6 inches from my bust.
4. My focus has improved (tremendously).
5. My insight has improved (I can read a map, typed text and my garmin without glasses which is really, really bizarre. Vision isn’t perfect by any means, but it used to be that I could not decipher words at all without my glasses. Now I can.)
6. My fingernails are thicker.
7. I wake in the morning refreshed.
8. I am able to small talk with ease (where it was always a great chore for me historically).
9. I never nap (whereas I always used to nap).
10. I frequently go 24 hours (with ease) without eating (refer to #2 above).
11. I have greater patience.
12. I am calmer. (Not to say that I am calm, but way more so than ever)
13. I no longer crave sweets or breads and can easily walk down the candy aisle without even flinching.
14. I love things like brussel sprouts and broccoli (used to hate).
15. Anxiety has decreased.
16. No more lethargy.
17. I forgive easily and don’t hold grudges.
18. I self-reflect with ease and am more accepting of myself.
19. I am okay with not accomplishing everything I want to accomplish in a day (before keto this was a great anguish of mine).
20. My skin is softer and clearer.
21. I no longer have aches and pains (there had been a couple that were worrisome).
22. I am hopeful (or at least much more hopeful that I have been in a long time).

I realize this sounds a little crazy. Especially when I tell you what I do eat. My diet consists of:

1. Eggs
2. Avocados
3. Butter
4. Heavy Whipping Cream
5. Sour Cream
6. Beef, pork and chicken (sometimes fish)
7. Bacon (I list separately from pork because I consume bacon more frequently than other forms of pork)
8. Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, bleu, parmesan, dubliner, etc)
9. Broccoli
10. Brussel sprouts
11. Spinach
12. Romaine, Green Leaf and Red Leaf lettuce
13. Cabbage
14. Cauliflower
15. Zucchini
16. Pistachios, almonds and cashews
17. Coffee, tea, water (occasionally diet coke)
18. Salt
19. Salad dressings (Bleu cheese, Italian, Caesar or any other that I fancy)
20. Onions (on occasion)
21. Occasionally shrimp, crab or lobster.
22. Occasionally turkey.

These are the things that I absolutely never consume (and at the moment have no desire for):

1. Bread
2. Pasta
3. Beans
4. Fruit or fruit juices
5. Tortillas
6. Chips, crackers, etc, or any other food in a box or bag.
7. Soda (non diet)
8. Rice
9. Corn
10. Potatoes
11. Yogurt
12. Milk
13. Candy, pastries, cakes, ice cream etc.

Crazy? I should say!! (Watch The Magic Pill on Netflix or do more research on the internet for more information – I have only touched on the topic. The topic is tremendous for me, and some other time, I will surely say more!). For now, some more of Dripping Cave . . .  

The Big Loop, Version 1

I am going to make this blogpost quick and mostly pictures because I am quite behind on journaling trails and I am running ragged with things to do. Still teaching at 3 locations, I have meetings and two weekend (back-to-back) trips that I’m prepping for, not to mention regular stuff like chores, and getting my boys off to school, music lessons and so on.

Up to bat is my 4/21/18 (last Saturday) run-hike. The loop I took on is a classic of mine. Though I much prefer mountain trails over the coastal hills (for many reasons), this coastal hills loop wasn’t too shabby. I have enjoyed it for many years. I call this one: The Big Loop, Version 1 (straight from Aliso/Wood Canyons Wilderness).

12.05 mi, 1,225’ gain.

Aliso Canyon Trail:

Wood Canyon:Top of the World:

Meadows Trail:

Route: Aliso Cyn/Wood Cyn/Cholla/WestRidge/Top of the World/Meadows Trail/Wood Cyn/Aliso Cyn

Destination: Cave Rock

Last Sunday (April 15), I decided that a hike would help my legs repair from Holy Jim’s adventure the day prior. I need something relatively close by too, as I did not leave until 4 o’clock in the afternoon. I decided on Wood Canyon, but not immediately Cave Rock. It was after I started the hike that I decided my destination would be Cave Rock. The route to Cave Rock is an easy hike through the canyon – I rated it a 1.5 in difficulty in my log (1 to 10 scale). Not sure the hike repaired my legs any faster. I was sore for the next two days. But I liked the soreness – it meant that I really worked.

I’ll make this short, with mainly pictures, because I am so behind in my dairy of run-hikes here. The most memorable event on this hike is after I turned off onto Cave Rock Trail. I saw something flutter in the distance, and I just assumed there were people up ahead on this usually empty trail. A few seconds later, a coyote came running down the trail straight toward me. He was a cute fellow, I think a pup, but not necessarily a puppy. It took me a second to process what kind of animal was running up on me. By the time realization set it, he veered off the trail and ran into the brush.

Miles: 7.02, Elevation Gain: 496’

Wood Canyon:

Cave Rock Trail: