Day 597: Will Rogers State Historic Park - Pacific Palisades - Inspiration Point - Backbone Trail - Betty Rogers Trail - Topanga State Park - July 4th!

Los Angeles from Will Rogers State Historic Park

Day #597 * Hike #697 * New Track #587

Wednesday July 4, 2012

Will Rogers State Historic Park - Pacific Palisades, CA

Inspiration Point Trail - Backbone Trail

Betty Rogers Trail - Topanga State Park

My Tripometer: 2 Hour * 3 Miles * +500 Feet

 

Happy Independence Day!

 Not so happy on the PCH

 Why are all Ferrari owners bald?

Directions:

From the PCH in Malibu, continue heading south towards Santa Monica.  Turn left on Sunset Blvd and follow this for about 4 miles until you reach Will Rogers State Park Road.  Turn left and then follow the road to the end.  We were forced off Sunset and back to the PCH due to a 10k race.  It was a drag but we eventually made it.  At Will Rogers the attendant there wanted $12 for parking.  I don't think so.  We U-turned and drove about a quarter mile and parked on the nearest side street.  Problem resolved, free parking, lets begin...

 Hiking along the street

At the parking Kiosk you may ask the lady for a free map.  They also sell maps here so don't be coursed into buying one.  The free map works fine for this adventure.

 Welcome to Will Rogers!

 I'm heading up to Inspiration Point with the crew

Oops, Jess left something in the car so I ran back and got it.  This added about a half mile to my journey today.  After the parking kiosk you will see the Polo Fields on your right.  Turn left down this service road next to this flat green grass.  There is a stair case to the right and you can walk up it to begin the Inspiration Loop Trail.  However, we continued down this service road and at the end turned left to begin the loop from the other way.

 This also represents the beginning of the Backbone Trail

 Hike up from here

 The city of L.A. beyond the Polo Field

There is a cut through trail to the right.  There is no sign but I suggest taking it.

 Another Trail Junction.  Inspiration Point both ways, we go straight

The main trail goes left and straight shortly after the Inspiration Point Junction sign.  We went straight and just after the dirt service road was a single track trail heading lower.  Ayden and I decided to explore.

 This leads to Topanga State Park.  We turned around...

 Inspiration Point!

 Santa Monica at the horizon...

Cousin Marissa was desperately winded at this point but our hiking was far from over.  After a 20 minute rest up top, we continued following a single track trail lower...

 Going Down

 Horsies!

The single track leads to T-Junction, another single track trail.  We turned right and this brought us back here:

 Marissa is frustrated!

Rather than turning back to the car, we turned right.  At the next junction, rather than keeping straight back up to Inspiration Point, we turn left to follow the road.  As expected, it lead us to the rear entrance ofTopanga State Park.  The main road went to the right but a single track trail begins to the left.  This is the official beginning of The Back Bone Trail.  If you're interested, you may hike it 67 miles all the way to Point Mugu.

 The Backbone Trailhead

 Along the Inspiration Loop, we are heading to that tree line...

 At the treeline, heading lower

 Almost back to the Polo Fields!

An accident on Sunset!

 

Honestly folks; How does this happen?  It's July 4th and our day is only beginning...

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.

 

Day 588 - 591: Olivas Adobe & Running

Olivas Adobe

Day #588 * Hike #687 * New Track #585

Monday June 25, 2012

Olivas Adobe - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 30 minutes * 1 Mile * +25 Feet

Directions and Info: www.cityofventura.net/olivasadobe

 School kids come here on field trips

 this was our self guided tour

 Four!  Look out for incoming golf balls

**This is not a recommended hike.  We were all bored so before sundown, we set off on another hike:

 Hike #688 - Pirate Ship Park

Good jogging route around the Park

This was a duplicate trail for me.  Located in Oxnard Shores next to Mandalay Bay, this park has an awesome playground for the kiddos.  As the kids played, Jess and I strolled around with Sammi.  Nice Beaches but as always, it was cold and windy!

Day #589 * Hike #689 * Duplicate

Tuesday June 26, 2012

Kimball Park - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 30 minutes * 2 Miles * +50 Feet

Happy Birthday Mom!  --  She turned 65 today!

With Alyssa's Club Soccer Tournament coming up in a couple of weeks, Jess and I decided to continue our running spree with her.  I was concerned that Alyssa would run a sub 7 minute mile as she has claimed to have done so in 5th grade.  That said, she's been quite lazy with a broken arm in these past few months so lets see what she has.

2.03.78 - I paced this first quarter mile with her.  Meanwhile, Jess ran ahead.  Where we she going at a faster pace than this?

2.18.68 - Alyssa slowed on the 2nd quarter but Jess continued to increase the distance

2.15.76 - Trying to find a steady pace for Alyssa, she complained that she could not breath

2.11.66 - We pushed the mile in 8.49.88

The goal was to complete the 1.25 mile distance but Alyssa fell completely winded.  We jogged, walked and sprinted the final quarter mile in 2.55.69 for a 11.45.57 total time.

Jess finished the run at least 2 minutes ahead of us.  She must have run a 7.30 mile or better.  After the run, we walked around for a bit but vowed to come back soon...

Day #590 * Hike #690 * Duplicate

Wednesday June 27, 2012

Buena High School - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 30 minutes * 1 Mile * +0 Feet

 Today I ran my signature race, the 800 meter.  When I was on the track team in high school, the first race that I ever ran was the 800.  Without proper training, I went out like a lightning bolt and took a commanding lead.  After 200 meters I began to feel winded but as I was turning to the stands I felt compelled to keep my stride.  It was a home meet and I heard familiar voices cheering me on.  I hit the 400 meter mark in about a minute but at the same time, I hit the wall.  My lead over the pack was nearly an entire stretch but as I hit the 600 meter mark, they all closed in.  One by one, by one, every single last competitor had passed me and by the time I reached the finish line, I could barely walk.  I finished that run in about 3 minutes.  To say the least, I had no clue of how to pace myself then.  Many years later, I clocked that same distance in 2:15 - not too shabby...

Today, at 220+ pounds, what will my old man legs do for me:

1.51.41 400 meter
1.31.08 800 meter for a 3.22.49

Heck, I'll take it.  I haven't opened my legs up like this in awhile and it felt great.  I even laced up my old track cleats.

Alyssa, Jess and I all paced the first lap together.  Crossing the finish line 2nd with a 1.43.35 2nd lap was Alyssa, who finished the 800m in 3.34.76.  Jess posted a 1.46.21 final lap to earn a 3.37.62 total time.  Not too far in the distance, Ayden completed the run in 4.01.89.

This was a great family outing and I hope to keep this going!  We walked an additional lap and around to complete the 1 mile duplicate hike minimum.  According to my rules, a hike is a hike, even if I run it!
  

         

Day #591 * Hike #691 * Duplicate

Thursday June 28, 2012

Kimball - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 2 Miles * +50 Feet

Running week continues back at Kimball Park.  Today I set off to run a timed mile.  Alyssa and Jess would pace together in the rear for this one.

2.06.46 1/4 mile

2.06.74 1/2 mile

1.54.84 3/4 mile

1.43.21 Final 1/4 for a  7.51.25 Mile

Nothing spectacular but at least I'm under 8 minutes 

Alyssa and Jess clocked their mile in 9.22.88

...they continued to run to the quarter so I paced with them.  They could not run it under 2 minutes... 

After the run, we did some walking and then sprints.  Alyssa and Ayden jumped on the ripsticks and one of my blog followers spotted them.  How random!  I believe he said his name was Paul.  It was nice hearing him thank me for pointing out some good local hikes.  This has inspired me to make it easier to find local hikes on this blog.  Check the tab at the top to Find a Hike in your City.

More to come...

Day 587: Hike to the 'V' - Ventura, CA

The "V" for Ventura

Day #587 * Hike #686 * New Track #584

Sunday June 24, 2012

Hike to the 'V' - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 30 minutes * 1 Mile * +125 Feet

 

 Trailhead

Directions:
From Downtown Ventura head up Catalina Street to the top of the hill and turn left on Hillcrest.  Follow this up a little and around until you see the unmarked trail (as shown above) on the right side of the street.

 Up the hill, to the right and hop a gate

 Ocean Views

The back side of the hills

 

 

Day #585-586 * Hike #683-684 * Duplicate Tracks

Friday & Saturday June 22 & 23, 2012

Arroyo Verde Park - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1.25 Hours * 3.5 Miles * +350 Feet

 

-Walking the dogs at Arroyo Verde Park.

 

On Sunday we went to cemetary park to let the dogs loose.  This was Hike#685 but I told Jess that I wanted to go to Santa Barbara to cover new grounds since the cemetary was a duplicate.  She remembered back in her high school days that she used to climb to the V in Ventura.  This is less than a mile from where we were, hence the above post.

 

**The hike to the V was quite simple.  It's only a quarter mile from the road but I stretched my wandering to a mile to qualify.  There will be a fork in the trail and the lower right fork takes you right to the V.  I will return to see where the upper fork goes...

 

 

Days 580 - 584: Victoria Park - John Anson Ford Park - Rats!

Newborn Rats!

Day #580 * Hike #677 * New Track #580

Sunday June 17, 2012

Victoria Park - Carson, CA

My Tripometer: 30 minutes * 1 Miles * +0 Feet

 On 192nd Street in Carson

After the LA Galaxy Game we drove just down the street to this park which spans on both sides of the street.  Nothing exciting here, some people were having a picnic for Father's Day but the best attraction here I suppose would be the river, but it's fenced off.  My photos were not blog worthy.  However, around the corner on the other side of the River we found:

 The Goodyear Blimp!

Day #580 * Hike #678 * New Track #581

Sunday June 17, 2012

John Anson Ford Park - Bell Gardens, CA

My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours * 1.25 Miles * +25 Feet

 

 Soccer Fields!

We played 3 on 3!

The artificial fields made for a fun game.  The final score was something like 20 to 17, insane!  We played in the corner where they stored the goals so the field was short, perfect.  Yes, Alyssa is back and she's bad!

I explored this side of the park only to discover baseball fields and another fence separating the L.A. River.  So, how do all those people get trapped and need rescuing in the aquaduct?  After the soccer game the sun was nearly down but I had enough time to walk to the other end of this park where Father's Day celebrations were still happening.  The pictures came out bad so I'm not sharing, but this is a cool park to visit!

Day #581 * Hike #679 * Duplicate Track

Monday June 18, 2012

Arroyo Verde Park - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 3.25 Miles * +425 Feet

 

Today after work I finally had a chance to run Sammi through the hills.  It was actually quite nice hiking this duplicate route.  However, discovering the rats in our garage was not pleasant.  As seen in my title post picture, these babies were barely born and their eyes were still shut.  The days leading up to this discovery we trapped the parents in the trap.  Fortunately I saved these babies from stumbling into the snap, however I'm certain that their future was short lived after my rescue and displacement.  It was actually quite sad for me :(

 

Day #582 * Hike #680 * Duplicate Track

Tuesday June 19, 2012

Victoria Tunnel to Kimball and Back - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 5 Miles * +75 Feet

 

Jess and I parked at the end of Saratoga and began our run while Ayden biked ahead of us...

 

4.19.94  To the Victoria Tunnel

13.36.49 To the condos where the path truly ends

25.22.81  To the quarter mile split at Kimball Park, we ran up hill...

 

KIMB Split Times

2.30.24 (up hill push)

2.32.52 (mostly flat)

2.20.85 (mild down hill)

--1.00.75 crossing the street to the next quarter

2.29.53 to the final quarter mile split  -- 33.46.46 Total thus far

 

We ran the entire time up to this point and based on these splits were were running under 10 minutes per mile.  We finally got back to the car in 58.29.36.  This was our 5-mile time and Jess and I tied.  We walked most of that final mile.  For the record, I used to run this in the low 40 minutes, but that was then....

 

 

Day #583 * Hike #681 * New Track #582

Wednesay June 20, 2012

Victoria Tunnel to Kimball and Back - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 4 Miles * +50 Feet

 

Same deal as yesterday, my legs were sore but we reached the first clocking point a second quicker than yesterday.  At that point, Jess ran away from me.  She clocked in at 13.03 reaching the condos and I was .41 seconds behind her.  Basically she was faster than yesterday and I was slower!  Demoralizing.  I was forced to walk/jog most of the way from there but because of it we turned around at Kimball instead of running around it.  Thus, on the way back I formed a new hike by zigzagging around the Government Center.  From the Telephone side, we followed the sidewalks around and then jogged back down to the tunnel from there.  Something new, and we still managed to finish in 54 minutes!

 

 

Day #584 * Hike #682 * New Track #583

Thursday June 22, 2012

Victoria Tunnel to Barranca Vista Park - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1.25 Hours * 5 Miles * +125 Feet

 

We reached the condos in 13.20 which was 16 seconds faster for me than Tuesday.  With my legs killing, I pulled up at Kimball.  Today we ran across Telephone and walked above the barranca; A new Hike!  When I first started my adventure in November of 2010, Ayden and I hiked along the barranca all the way to Johnson but today we ran above on the legit sidewalk.  The sun was setting but the path was nice.  We turned right on Ralston instead of continuing along the path into Barranca Vista Park.  From there we followed Ralston back to Saratoga and back to our car.  We finished this in just over an hour!

 

David Beckham

Day #580 * Hike #676 * New Track #579

Sunday June 17, 2012

Dominguez Hills Nature Reserve

Home Depot Jogging Trail

L.A. Galaxy

My Tripometer: 4 Hours * 2.25 Miles * +50 Feet

 

 Home Depot Center Jogging Trail

It was Father's Day and part of Alyssa's B-Day present was the L.A. Galaxy Game today.  To save on the $15.00 parking and horrible traffic jam inside after the game, we parked down by the shopping center a half mile from the stadium.

The Jogging Trail as seen above wraps around the entire complex.  If I had to guess it looks to be at least a mile in length.  There are exercise bars along the trail if you are interested in cross training.  We actually walked along the dirt sidewalk on the otherside of the fence.  Along with circling the stadium and jogging back to the car, we easily trekked 2 miles on this adventure.

 Family Photo at Halftime

 SilverHonors: David Beckham

All of these photos will be shared on David Beckham's profile page at http://www.silverhonors.com/.  Check it out and if you think he's deserving, VOTE for him...



 

Day #579 * Hike #675 * Duplicate Track

Saturday June 16, 2012

Pleasant Valley Fields - Camarillo, CA

Alyssa's Return and Last Game for the Ventura Mighty Vipers

My Tripometer:  3 Hours * 2 Miles * +25 Feet

 

It was my first day back from Yosemite and we spent a good part of it at the soccer field where Alyssa made her return to Soccer.  Before the game I jogged the round mile around the oval and accumulated an easy additional mile for the record.

 

Alyssa did not actually show up until the second half.  The team was already down but immediately her impact was noticed.  It was her first game back since breaking her arm.  It was evident that she played cautiously.  At the point of collision, she pulled up versus pounding through.  She did not score a goal in this contest but she pulled off some nifty moves and aided with an assist.

 

The Vipers lost this game which meant they would not place in this tournament.  We returned to the soccer field on Sunday morning before the Galaxy Game.  The Vipers played their final game as a unit.  In the final minute of the game, the opposing team scored a goal and the game ended in a tie.

 

The Ventura Mighty Vipers had an Amazing Run!  They won the State Cup in California and it's sad that their legacy had to end here.  The girls have been split up into four different teams.  Coach Matt has created a new Viper Team with many of the same girls.  They will be competing at the club level in the bronze division.  Alyssa is on the Camarillo Eagles in the Gold Division and their team is nationally ranked.

 

The AYSO decision to break the Vipers up was appauling.  For them to not include Alyssa on the team because she broke her arm and could not try out is just outrageous!  She risked everything for playing with the Vipers even though she won a scholarship for the Eagles.  The worst case scenario did happen, she broke her arm!  --I wrote more about this in my book, 1000 Hikes 1000 Days OFF TRAIL