Day 608: San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary - Alyssa Wins the Gold!

Duck Pond!

Day #608 * Hike #715 * New Track #600

Sunday July 15, 2012

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary - Irvine, CA

Alyssa and the Eagles Win the Tournament!

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

 We found a trailhead?

After my Mountain Lion Hike in Whiting Ranch, which at the time I had no idea what was going on, I picked up the family at the Hilton, stopped at McDonalds for a McFlury and then drove back to UCI for the Championship Game.  All that, and we were still early.  Well, along the way Jess spotted what appeared to be a trail so we parked the car...

 San Joaquin Wildlife Map

I didn't actually look at the map until after the soccer game, but here it is. 

 We walked down the wide dirt trail...

 There were tadpoles in this water and huge fish in the first pic

 Looks like the trails go around in circles, but we went back...

 Across the street where we parked the car...

No sense for Alyssa to get exhausted before the game but since we still had time, I figured I would make a hike out of it.  I ran along the trail next to the street and asked Jess to rendezvous with me here:

According to the map, this trail circles the pond.  Just above the roadway is where I took the title picture for this blogpost.  I'm pretty sure this is the same pond that I saw earlier in the morning at UCI.  I'd like to come back here some time to explore the other ponds, but for now, we have a soccer game to attend...

 Eagles (white) versus ---  honestly I don't remember...

 With my blurry camera, Alyssa scores the first goal of the game

The Eagles won 4-1 : Tournament Champs!

Yep, Alyssa is back.  Three goals in this tournament.  The Eagles dominated the U-12 bracket with a 3-0-1 record scoring 12 goals and yielding only 3.  Can she go become the State Champion in back to back years on two different teams?  We shall see...

Published in the Camarillo Acorn & Mountain Lion Updates!

TheCamarilloAcorn.com 1000 Days of Hiking!

I made the paper today; Wahoo!  When you have a moment, click the link above to check it out

Mountain Lion Update...
On the very next day after posting Day 608: Mountain Lion Versus Coyote,  the video attached to my blogpost became the Home Page feature on Yahoo: Yahoo Mountain Lion Article

I did some more research and found a few other links if you are interested:
NBC Los Angeles
LA Times
ABC Local
Mission Viejo Patch
OC Register

Researching further I discovered a crazy Mountain Lion attack on this very same trail a few years ago:
abcnews.go.com Mountain Lion Attack!

Now, I do plan to revisit this area next month when my daughter has another tournament out that way.  Should I avoid it?  --  Nah, I think I'll go out there and prowl for a Mountain Lion :)

**Hiking update, I just came back from a trail in Camarillo.  I probably won't get a chance to update this until after the weekend as I am still playing catchup.  I would like to vent that I bought a PUT Option on Thursday before the Friday expiration.  I do this from time to time and felt confident that the market was going to go down and as it turns out, I was right.  I narrowed it down to two choices, Chipotle (CMG) or Amazon (AMZN).  Both, in my opinion, are overpriced.  I decided to put my $250.00 bet on AMZN, hoping it would go down.  Unfortunately, the stock closed up for the day so I lost everything.  Meanwhile, CMG went down 90 points...  WHAT?!  Are you serious!!!  Unreal, my $250 would have been worth $16k+ --  I am sickened by it.  Anyhow... thanks for listening.  I will have more awesome hikes to report soon...

Day 608: Borrego Trail - Red Rock Trail - Whiting Ranch Wilderness - Limestone Canyon - Mountain Lion versus Coyote!

Red Rock in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

Day #608 * Hike #714 * New Track #599

Sunday July 15, 2012

Borrego Trail - Red Rock Trail - Foothill Ranch, CA

Whiting Wilderness - Limestone Canyon

Mountain Lion versus Coyote!

My Tripometer: 1.25 Hours * 4 Mile * +375 Feet

 

 Trailhead

Directions:
From the Los Angeles area, take the 5 or 405 north to the 133.  Take the 133 North, a toll road to the 241 South.  Your total toll will be $3.00.  Exit on Alton Parkway and turn left.  Turn right on Portola Parkway and then left into the shopping center at Market Place.  The trailhead parking is on the left.  You must pay an additional $3.00 to park, unless you park over in the shopping center for free.

I did neither.  My wife called and said that I had her bathing suite in the car!  OMG!  So, I took the 20 minute drive back to Irvine to drop off the suite at the Hilton where we were staying.  I then turned back around and ended up reaching the trailhead an hour later.

Borrego Trailhead - Mountain Lion recently spotted?

 

**On my way to work today I heard over the radio of another Mountain Lion siting along this trail.  I went into work and Google quickly brought up this recent video:

 

Mountain Lion versus Coyote!

 

Are you kidding me!  The Coyote was howling at this Mountain Lion on the same day that I hiked this random trail?!  What are the chances.  If I hadn't gone back to the hotel, would I have encountered this creature?!  Amazing, huh!

 

Ahh, fresh water for the bunny!

I charged down the trail fast.  It was a race against time due to the soccer game later that afternoon.  At first, the trail was quite sloppy as it shared the same common route as this stream.  The bunny scared me because I did not notice it until the last minute and the Mountain Lion sign was still haunting my mind; if I only knew...

 Trail is mostly shaded at first

 Mountain Lions?  -  No, just two deer!

 Okay, where are we now?

 I began to follow the Mustard Trail to the right

There was another hiker in front of me but I couldn't; ketchup

--Come'on, I couldn't resist...

 After passing another trail, I veered off to view the Red Rock...

 The trail is coming to an end shortly

 Red Rocks...

 

There is a sign suggesting to not climb the sandstone.  I did not disobey.  I wish I had more time but I simply did not.  I began my trot and kept it consistent all the way back to the car.  I ran the two-mile distance in just 20 minutes; not bad for trail running.  Granted, it was mostly down a low grade hill but still, not bad...

 

Mountain Lion Update:

I heard on the news tonight that they caught the Mountain Lion.  Officials bated it into a cage with a piece of meat.  I learned that a mountain biker died on this trail about 8 years ago from a mountain lion attack.  In all of my hiking adventures, I've only been fortunate enough to see a mountain lion once.  This happened well before I began my 1000 hike adventure.  Let me tell you, I was six miles from my car and nearly 15 miles from the main roadway.  I was freaked out.  The mountain lion in this video is much smaller than the one that I encountered.  Nevertheless, I'm sure it would have it's way with me if it wanted to.

 

--Alyssa has several more soccer tournaments lined up down this way in the upcoming months.  I imagine that I will test fate and return to the area...

University of California, Irvine - The Reincarnation of Quartz Hill!

Corner Kick - Goal!!!!

Day #608 * Hike #713 * New Track #598

Sunday July 15, 2012

University of California, Irvine - Irvine, CA

My Tripometer: 45 minutes * 1 Mile * +25 Feet

 6:30am (before the game)

 a walk about through the campus

Overlooking Duck Ponds and Irvine from the far corners of the field

We arrived early for the soccer game so I took the opportunity to warm up my legs around the campus.  8:00am -- Game Time   **Tournament Semi Finals**

The Camaraillo Eagles controlled the ball early in the first half.  In the fifth minute of the game, Alyssa headed the ball into the goal!  This was huge.  It was Alyssa's first goal since returning from her injury!

With restored confidence, later that half Alyssa dribbled the ball down the ride sideline as she has done so many times.  Possibly the fastest sprinter on the field, she did not lose a step controlling the ball.  With a leg in front of the defender, in stride Alyssa shot the ball and it sailed to the opposite corner for the GOAL!!!

At halftime Jess said to me that the red team looked awfully familiar.  Sure enough, a man from the opposing team approached us and asked if that little blond used to play for the Vipers.  Huh, well, yes, you bet she did.  Come to find out that this red team is a brand new club team from Antelope Valley.  The majority of the squad stared on the undefeated Quartz Hill team from last season.  Well, undefeated until Alyssa scored two goals in the Championship Game to help lead the Vipers 2-0 past them!

Of course, the Vipers met back up with Quartz Hill in the State Cup.  This is where Alyssa broke her arm.  To be exact, #21, the redwood tree sized girl in the picture above was the one who kicked Alyssa in the back of her foot because she couldn't find the ball.  Today was no different with this girl.  Anytime a ball came around her she simply kicked the ball out of bounce - no skill. 

The final score of the game was 4-0.  What a coincidence, how very strange to see Quartz Hill again.  Good job to Alyssa for scoring her first and second goal!  What a satisfying feeling to do this against her former rivals!  ==Championship Game at 3:30.  Check back, but first, check out my next crazy hike...

HUNTINGTON BEACH WETLANDS - WEST NEWPORT BEACH - DIEGO SEPULVEDA ADOBE - SANTA ANA RIVER - VICTORIA VISTA PARK - BALEARIC & ESTANCIA PARKS

Alyssa back in action with the Camarillo Eagles!

Day #607 * Hike #710 * New Track #595

Saturday July 14, 2012

Balearic Park & Estancia Park - Costa Mesa, CA

Diego Sepulveda Adobe

My Tripometer: 2 Hours * 1 Mile * +50 Feet

 

Directions:From the Los Angeles Area, take the 405 South toward San Diego.  Just past Fountain Valley, take the Harbor Blvd exit in Costa Mesa and head south.  About a mile up you will reach Adams Ave. and turn right.  About a mile down Adams you will intersect Placentia Ave & Mesa Verde Dr.  Turn right on Mesa Verde and Estancia Park will be on your left.

 Diego Sepulveda Adobe straight ahead

The mission is behind this tree

 

Ayden and I walked to the soccer fields from Fairview Park.  We were still an hour early for the game so we began our next hike around Balearic Park where Alyssa would be playing.  Beyond the park is a hill and we climbed it to discover Estancia Park and the Diego Adobe which was built around 1825.

 

We made it back in time for the game and Alyssa started at Center Forward.  This is new for her because she used to be the work house on the Vipers as the starting left or right forward.  She could play each position equally as well because her left footed kick is just as powerful as her right.  However, her new coach felt she would be best in the middle.  There is less running and it really calls on more direct shooting versus sending over a cross for the assist.

 

Alyssa played well but did not score.  Her team tied the contest 2-2.

 

 

Day #607 * Hike #711 * New Track #596

Saturday July 14, 2012

Victoria Vista Park - Costa Mesa, CA

Santa Ana River Trail

My Tripometer: 30 minutes * 1 Mile * +50 Feet

 

Directions:
After the game we had a 90 minute wait until the late 6:00 game.  So, well Alyssa rested with Jess, Ayden and I went exploring.  We drove down Placentia past Fairview Park and turned right on Victoria.  Just before reaching the hill which lead over the Santa Ana River, we discover a small park.  Here we go...

 After a brief playground stay, we walked to the back of the park

 To the right, the Santa Ana River back towards Fairview Park

 Let's go down...

 The Santa Ana River all the way to the Ocean!

We met up with the bike path and crossed under Victoria.  We didn't have time to go all the way down and back so we turned back and jogged to the car...

 

 

Day #607 * Hike #712 * New Track #597

Saturday July 14, 2012

West Newport Beach - Newport Beach, CA

Huntington Beach Wetlands & Brookhurst Marsh

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

 

Directions:
From Vista Park, we took Victoria over the Santa Ana and then turned left on Brookhurst.  This ended at Huntington Beach.  I pulled into the parking area but the parking fee was $15!  I got out for a moment, and snapped a picture of the beach...

 Huntington Beach!

Directions Continued...
From the Huntington Beach Parking lot, I turned right (east) on the PCH and about a mile up we discovered West Newport Beach.  I turned right at the light and then made another immediate right and drove until I could find a free spot on the street.  FREE PARKING! 

 West Newport Beach - This is my hike!

 With time running out, I ran my butt off while Ayden played his DS

 The Santa Ana finally meets the Ocean - I did it!

Newport Pier in the background

 

I was sweating purfusly and hustled my butt back to the car.  Ayden and I made it back to the soccer fields just in the nick of time to watch the entire game.  The U-12 Camarillo Eagles needed at least two goals and a shutout in order to advance to the semi finals tomorrow.  Although Alyssa did not score, her team dominated the game and won by the score of 2-0!  My girl took several shots but fell came up short.  She took a hard tumble and we all held our breath, but she proved to be tough.  She broke her arm less than four months ago but she's back!  See what happens tomorrow; a truly unbelievable story!!!

Day 607: Fairview Park - Santa Ana River Trail - Talbert Nature Preserve - Costa Mesa

The Stairs from Fairview Park to the Santa Ana River Area

Day #607 * Hike #709 * New Track #594

Saturday July 14, 2012

Fairview Park - Costa Mesa, CA

Santa Ana River Trail - Talbert Nature Preserve

My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours * 2 Miles * +100 Feet

 

 Fairview Park

Directions:
From the Los Angeles Area, take the 405 South toward San Diego.  Just past Fountain Valley, take the Harbor Blvd exit in Costa Mesa and head south.  About a mile up you will reach Adams Ave. and turn right.  About a mile down Adams you will intersect Placentia Ave and turn left.  You will see Fairview Park on your right.

 Model Airplanes, Dirt Bikes & R.C.'s

We were early for Alyssa's soccer game which was down the street so we searched around and found this cool spot.  Ayden was a bit tired from his dive meet in Ventura earlier that morning but when he saw all the remote control action, he was down for a visit.

Jess dropped us off and now I had the task of hiking back to the soccer field.  Before we hiked any further, we hung out here for a good 30 minutes.  There is a model airplane field in the back and at one point, a plane nearly took out a hawk. 

The RC's were way cool.  Jumping, speeding, donuts, crashing[ it was fun to watch and I captured it on video.  Maybe I'll make something of it some day, but I have so much footage of so many things these days -- unless I quit my job --- ah, I'll stick to hiking...

 This Park is in the Process of Development

Currently there are many open space trails through the area but it appears that there will be some expansion.  For now, my goal was to hike across the dirt and find the Santa Ana River Trail...

 Great, which way do we go?

 Looks like we are on the right track

 Interesting down here

 Talbert Nature Preserve

 Made it to the Santa Ana River Trail

There were many ways to go to reach this spot and then once there, many more ways to trek along the river.  There were paths on each side and then more bike paths on top.  We searched in circles, reach dead ends and then retraced our steps.  We had to eventually cross the bridge behind us to get around it all...

 One of the Bike Paths

 At one point we were way down there!

The Adams Ave. Bridge

 

We initially walked under the bridge and crossed the "3-Mile" marker.  I can only assume this means three miles back to the Ocean.  I honestly hope to revisit this area someday and when I do, I will be bringing a bike.  The area is way cool!  Well, now that we got to Adams Ave, it's time to walk along the sidewalk back to the soccer fields.  Alyssa's comeback will soon begin.  Stay tuned...

Days 605 - 606: The Best and Worst in Conejo Valley!

Day #605 * Hike #707 * Duplicate Track

Thursday July 12, 2012

The Best and Worst of Conejo Valley - Newbury Park, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 1.25 Miles * +200 Feet

 

I was recently talking with a reporter for the Acorn and a couple of Hikes came to mind: 

 

Day 206: Secret of the Arroyo - Newbury Park  & Day 93: Broken Camera Trail 

 

These are my favorite and least favorite hikes in Conejo Valley.  The irony of this is, they are right next to each other.  Thus, today after work I revisited this location and combined the trails for one hike.  I spent about 45 minutes reuniting with my Day 206 experience and then wandered over to where I dropped the camera.  Basically, I poked my head in and then left.  Anyhow, that was my hike for the day and for many other hikes in Conejo Valley, check out the link below:

 

Top Hikes in Conejo Valley

 

 

Day #606 * Hike #708 * Duplicate Track

Friday July 13, 2012

Kimball Park - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 2.5 Miles * +75 Feet

 

The goal today was to race 1 mile around the 1.25 mile loop.  I thought my legs were strong from my hard 2-mile run on Wednesday and today I was wearing better shoes.  My first quarter split clocked in 1.35.  I was feeling good coming down the top stretch but as I turned toward the downhill, I stopped!  I walked the final 20 seconds and still managed a 1.54 quarter split.  I guess my legs were more sore than I thought so I stopped the ticking and then casually walked and joged two times around the large oval.  Usually when I have a stop watch I am going to run for a time, like a race.  Today however I went off stride like a trotter in a harness pace; xxx- pulled up Did Not Finish.  Oh well, so I went a longer distance instead.  I guess the Friday the 13th curse got me!