Day 593: Hall Canyon - Erburu House - McWherter Corner

Erburu House

Day #593 * Hike #693 * New Track #586

Saturday June 30, 2012

Hall Canyon - Erburu House - McWherter Corner - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 1.75 Miles * +175 Feet

 

 

 Trailhead - but not really...

Directions:
From Downtown Ventura, take Poli to the east.  At the large intersection with Seaward in front of Ventura High Shool, turn left onto Hall Canyon.  Drive up about 1000 feet to the end and park.

 Another way to reach Two Trees?

 Nope!  Hall Canyon was on lock down!

Along the way, the smell of gas was very overwhelming.  You can actually hear the gas traveling through the pipes.  I wouldn't suggest lighting a cigarette back here.  That said, I saw butts on the ground.

 Found a single track trail - turned out to be a dud

 Wandering back, found a homeless hideout, it went nowhere

 Climbed a little hill and trekked through this

 Many scratches later - dead end

I was turned onto Hall Canyon by my neighbor.  I told him how I hiked to the 'V' last weekend and he shared stories of how he hiked to Sulphur Mountain Road from Hall Canyon many many years ago.  I suppose I could have jumped the Hall Canyon fence but it was gated like a fortress so searched for something else to do.  --The things I do just to come up with a New Track!

All the way back at the car, my total hiking mileage was under a mile but all wasn't lost.  Looking down the hillside, I found this:

 Downhill Trailhead!

 ...Leads to a dry creek bed

**This is not going to be a recommended hike.  The downhill is at a 45 degree grade which makes it quite dangerouse.  The four wheeled legged dogs were even sliding but I made it with ease.  At the bottom, we went left to head back into Hall Canyon...

 A little overgrown in spots but overall, not bad!

 Hiking under the pipelines

 Fallen Trees!

 Nearing the end...

There were a few obstacles reaching this point but around this bend, the thick was too thick.  Maybe if I wasn't wearing shorts and if I had a machete, maybe I would have continued.  So, I turned all the way back, passed the steep hill and reached the end of the creek:

 Scary Tunnel!

 Traveled through the dark to reach this light

It was so dark that I walked completely blindly.  I often snapped a picture and looked at the camera image to determine my footing.  There was one puddle of water that I had to step over but other than that, the footing was good.  I suppose I could have gone further but without a flashlight, I really had no desire.

 McWherter Corner

Climbing the hill above the tunnel brings you out to this area.  Along Hall Canyon, we walked back to the car and passed the Erburu House along the way...

 

 

Day #592 * Hike #692 * Duplicate

Friday June 29, 2012

Arroyo Verde - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 2.5 Miles * +350 Feet

 

A day off from running but a hike around the Verde with the dogs...

 

 

Day #594 * Hike #694 * Duplicate

Sunday July 1, 2012

Arroyo Verde - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours * 2.25 Miles * +300 Feet

 

 Cloudy Day at the Verde

 Two Trees in the clouds

Arroyo Verde Escape

 

I normally don't take pics of Arroyo Verde but today I was with all the cousins and their friends.  We hiked down from the house and hung out at the park.  It was a gloomy day, perfect weather for a hike!

 

 

Day #595 * Hike #695 * Duplicate

Monday July 2, 2012

Buena High School - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 45 Minutes * 1.5 Miles * +0 Feet

 

Strapping on the cleats, today I raced my wife in the mile.  Last week she beat me across the finish line at Kimball, but I was running with Alyssa.  A few days later, I beat her but she was running with Alyssa.  Today, it was just her and I.  For the first three laps we ran neck and neck...

 

1.51.38

1.59.08

1.59.45

*1.37.55  7.27.46 Mile

*Jess gave up on the final quarter.  The splits were not that fast but we did stay under two minutes which means for three consecutive laps, we were moving our legs.  I was satisfied with the 7.27 outcome.  I wish I could have pushed it harder but finally I am starting to bring down my time.  I can't wait to run it again!

Day #596 * Hike #696 * Duplicate

Tuesday July 3, 2012

Arroyo Verde - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 2 Miles * +300 Feet

 

My legs were a bit strained from yesterday's run so I took it easy after work today.