Day 615: Ventura River Preserve - Old Baldwin Road - Willis Canyon - Oso Ridge Trails

The Los Padres rises above!

Day #615 * Hike #725 * New Track #605

Sunday July 22, 2012
Ventura River Preserve - Baldwin Road Trailhead - Ojai, CA

Willis Canyon, Rice, Osos Ridge & Chaparral Crest Trails

My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours * 3.5 Miles * +175 Feet

 Old Baldwin Road Trailhead

 Ventura River Preserve Trail Map

Directions:
From the 101 in Ventura, take the 33 North towards Ojai.  Drive past Oakview and just after you pass the fast food restaurants on the right, turn left on Baldwin Road (the 150).  Drive about a quarter mile passing La Luna and Rice.  Look for Old Baldwin Road on your right and turn down it.  At the end, you will see the trailhead.  This is a relatively new Trailhead and is handicap accessible for the first quarter mile.

 End of the paved route, but the dirt trail is easy with no elevation gain

 Ayden searching for a GeoCache

We came up empty!  As most of you know, I was recently in the Acorn and a local reader turned me on to http://www.geocaching.com/.  According to the site, there are 14 caches in this area.  Since I do not have a smart phone with gps tracking, I punched the coordinates in on Google and I tried my best to convert them into real time.  However, this was no easy task and I came up empty on all my finds.  Quite frustrating!

 Bahhhh!

 Ayden found a rope swing

 Oso Ridge Trail Junction

There are many possible trail junctions to take prior to this point.  You can hike a 1/2 mile loop if you like or you can extend it further like we did.  The neighborhood off Rice Road was to our right the entire hike up to this point.  A bit further to the north from here you will intersect the Rice Road Trailhead which I hiked on Day 21: Chaparral Crest & Wills Canyon.  I came back to the area last year on Day 288: Riverview Trail.  I was eye to eye with a very large snake that day.

 The river is completely dry; expected for this time of year

 in the rainy season, deep pools of water can be found out here

 Sammi and Ziggy digging for water - It was 95 degrees HOT!!!

 We began climbing Oso Ridge

Sammi and Ziggy hide in the brush from the sun

Easy Climbing

We reached the first top but turned back because we were nearly out of water.  This area is very pleasant when it's cool but dreadful under these harsh conditions.  In the rainy season you will often find inviting water pools.  I'm nearly certain that there is water further North, even this time of year, but it's cut off by a dam which prevents a drip from trickling down here under the sun. 

So, we looped back and took an alternative trail to the car.  I'm going to need to revisit this area in the winter months...

$20.00 Cash Decoder Game #CD0001

Cash Decoder Game #CD0001

 

$20 Dollars and 20 Points up for Grabs!  If you are not already a member, please click on the Cash Cache Link for more information.  The Encrypted Clue for this game is:

2_19:35_31_30:35:20:27:30:13_20:27:30:30_3:15_5:27:15:35:32:43:6:45_22_42_11:27:4:27:43:43

Free Decoder Game #FD0001

Free Decoder Game #FD0001

5 Points up for Grabs!  If you are not already a member, please click on the Cash Cache Link for more information.  The Encrypted Clue for this game is:

4_46_42:42_41 _8:18_6_2:53:14_2:29:51:51:47.  54_21:7:41:37:21:9_18:41:18_18:14:37:41:7:14_33:7:17:14:35:7:2:33:30?

Day 614: San Buenaventura Park - Omer Raines Trail - Ventura Promenade - Emma Wood State Beach - Santa Clarita Skate Park & Aquatic Center

Early Saturday Morning - Marine Layer

Day #614 * Hike #723 * Duplicate Track

Saturday July 21, 2012
San Buenaventura Park - Ventura Promenade  - Ventura, CA

Omer Rains Trail - Emma Wood State Beach

My Tripometer: 2 Hours * 8.25 Miles * +50 Feet

I wasn't expecting to run 8 miles this morning!  I've already hiked along the Ventura Promenade in my 1000 Hike tail, but here we go...
Directions:
From the 101 Freeway in Ventura, exit on Seaward and head over to Harbor Blvd.  Drive just past the In & Out Burger.  Turn left on San Pedro Street and park wherever you can for free on the street.  This beats the senseless paid parking at the park.  The trail and mileage counter begins at the sidewalk.  Begin to run to the Northwest with the Ocean on your left.

Since I could never locate the 1-mile marker, my mileage count begins at 2 miles.  I ran with Jess while Ayden road his bike.  Jess took an early lead but I closed the gap when a group of college runners swiftly passed me.  I drafted off them and surpassed my wife.  She was cracking up when I was mimicking them but quickly I slowed up.  I was toast; wasn't feeling it but she kept going.  I even began to walk!  I reached the 2 mile marker in a blah 19.41.02. 

My feet were strained so I walked a portion of the next stretch, the Omer Rains Trail.  Crossing the Ventura River using the Main Street Bridge, my slow pace allowed me the privilege of realizing all the homeless hideouts down below.  Intertwined between all the marshy overgrowth were dozens of dirty camps and tarps. Just wow!  I completed my 3rd Mile in 12.46.38. 

Before I reached the 4th Mile Marker, Jess passed me on the other side.  I figured that she was about 5 minutes up on me.  Honestly, I felt that I could catch her.  My 4th mile clocked in 9.39.37, stellar improvement wouldn't you say?  To keep it honest, I ran to the end of the trail where it meets the street at the top of the hill.  Up & back to the 4 mile marker lasted 2.01.80; I figure it to be about a quarter mile.  I kept running strong but then I realized that the bottom of my feet were really beginning to blister.  I ended up walking a portion of the 5th mile but still clocked it in 10.18.21.  I ran and walked  until finally halting entirely to take the soles out of my shoes.  I sat down, took off my socks and walked with no support.  My 6th mile measured 18.12.81.

There was no use so I walked the final 2 miles in 37.42.14.  My 8.25 Mile time was 1:49.53.  My wife beat me by more than 30 minutes!  What a way to start the weekend...

Day #614 * Hike #724 * New Track #604

Saturday July 21, 2012
Santa Clarita Skate Park & Aquatic Center - Santa Clarita, CA

My Tripometer: 30 Minutes * 1.25 Miles * +75 Feet

 While Ayden was warming up for diving, I trekked across the field

 Did I mention it was 95 degrees?  This bird didn't mind.

 Above the Park!

 Hey, there is a trail back here!

 Not much this way...

My feet were still killing from the run that morning so this little casual walk ended quickly.  It was an evening dive meet, the only way to hold such a meet in this heat!  Ayden performed six dives, very amazing.  The big tourney is just a month away!

Lol, Ayden has a little Girlfriend :)
 

New Home Page

On November 16, 2010 I set out to Hike 1000 Trails in 1000 Days.  I started this Free Blog to keep track of my journey and I hope that you enjoy the adventure.  I’ve made it easy for you to Search for a Hike in Your Area.  Click on the Find a Local Hike tab to discover new adventures in your backyard.  You may also enter in keywords on the Search Tab found at the top of this page to find the trails that you are looking for.

• Hike / [hahyk] verb,

1. To go on an extended walk for pleasure or exercise.

• Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain.

How To Read This Blog
At the top of each blogpost you will see a Day #, Hike # and New Track #.  The Day # refers to how many days in a row I have hiked.  The Hike # refers to how many hikes I have taken since starting this adventure.  New Track # refers to how many New Locations I have trekked.  My goal is to reach 1000 different locations over a 1000 day period.  I will not miss a day, regardless of the weather or how ill I may feel.  Some days I will hike along familiar trails which I consider Duplicate Hikes.  Although these hikes count toward my Hike #, I will not be given credit for the New Track #.  Makes sense, right :)...

Hiking With for a Purpose
In March of 2011 I created the SEALtheBeach campaign to help protect the Pacific Harbor Seals in Carpinteria, California.   Though I have temporally suspended these efforts, my hope is to revisit the original plan to seek full time beach closure which will ensure year round safety at the sanctuary. 

Currently I am hiking to raise money for Pediatric Cancer.  Click the link below to learn how you can help...

www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/110962

Day #1000: Mt. Whitney
With the help from a buddy at work, I obtained Four Day Permits to Hike Mt. Whitney on Monday August 12, 2013.  This will be my Day #1000! 

Happy Trails,

Jeremy Jacobus
Cell: (805) 701-6123
Email: silverhonors@hotmail.com

Cash Cache Adventure!

Cash Cache Adventure!

Do you need an excuse to take a Hike?  I’m hiding checks in caches all across the wilderness in Southern California!  The checks will be payable to CASH so if you find them, the Money is Yours!  If you don’t live in Cali but you want to play along, No Problem.  Play the Decoding Game to solve the puzzle!

The Hunter

Decrypt the code and Hike your way to discover the Cash Treasure.  Every time a new Cache is hidden a blog entry will be posted and you will be notified via email to begin your quest.  If someone beats you to the Cache your efforts will not go unnoticed.  I will leave a Buzz Word or Clue in the Cache which will be worth no less than 20 Points.  Although Points do not carry a cash value, I may implement additional awards or prizes at a later date.

The Decoder
The Decoder can play from anywhere in the World!  The first Decoder to successfully unravel the mystery will win the Cash Prize!  You will receive your award via PayPal or by Check in the mail.  If you are not the first Decoder to crack the case, you will still receive 20 Points for your efforts.

Free Play

If you are interested but hesitant, try our Free Play version of the game.  Free Caches will be hidden containing Buzz Words or Clues.  The first person who discovers the cache or solves the online code will receive 5 Points.  Runner ups will receive a token point.  Cash Hunters and Decoders may also participate in these adventures.

Sign Up & Play Now!

To enter the arena please complete the form below.  You may choose the Free Play option or for a onetime fee of $10.00, you will be given unlimited cache plays for an entire calendar year.  Caches will never be hidden on private property nor will they be concealed in hazardous locations.  Once your entry is confirmed you will receive an email containing the corresponding code(s) for you adventures.

Cash Cache Hunter: $10.00 USD - yearly Cash Cache Decoder: $10.00 USD - yearly Cash Cache Hunter & Decoder: $17.50 USD - yearly

13 Players

$120.00 Cash Caches

$100.00 Unclaimed!

CASH CACHES

• $100.00 Cash Cache Being Announced August 31, 2012!
• $100.00 Cash Cache Revealed! 08/31/12 - Has Not Been Found!

CASH DECODERS

• CD0001: 7/28/2012 ($20.00 & 20 Points) - First solved by Uptown Beat on 07/31/2012

FREE CACHES

• FC0001: 08/02/2012 (5 Points) - Has not been found!
• The Cache in the Rye: Ventura County 08/12/12 (5 Points) - Found by Egomania on 08/25/12
• The Dam Toilet Cache: Calabasas 8/16/12 (5 Points) - Has not been found!
• A Penny to Burn: Conejo Valley 08/31/12 (5 Points) - Has not been Found!

FREE DECODERS

• FD0001: 7/28/2012 (5 Points) - First solved by Mystery on 07/30/2012

MONEY LEADERS

	Display Name	Cash
1	Uptown Beat	$20.00

POINTS LEADERS

1. Uptown Beat -----------------  22 Points
2. Mystery -------------------------    6 Points
3. Egomania ---------------------     6 Point
4. Stargazer 088 ----------------    2 Points
5. Benny Rock Star ------------    1 Point
6. Hike Man ----------------------     1 Point
7. Sort This Out ----------------     0 Points
8. Big Dog ------------------------     0 Points
9. Quite A Sensation ----------     0 Points
10. Bizzneth -----------------------     0 Points
11. cowfolkjen --------------------     0 Points
12. Just Jason ---------------------    0 Points
13. HIKE VTA ---------------------      0 Points

Day 613: The Nothing Loop - Happy Valley - Santa Rosa - Hill Canyon

Happy Valley from the Nothing Trail - Camarillo?

Day #613 * Hike #722 * New Track #603

Friday July 20, 2012
The Nothing Loop - Camarillo, CA

Happy Valley - Santa Rosa Park - Hill Canyon

My Tripometer: 1.25 Hours * 3 Miles * +700 Feet

Trailhead

Directions:

From the 101 Freeway in Camarillo, exit the 101 at Santa Rosa and head east.  About 5 or so miles out, look for Hill Canyon Road.  It's a quick turnoff to the right marked by a sign.  About a half mile back you will pass Santa Rosa Park.  Continue another mile down the road and begin on the right where you see this gate.  There is a spot for car parking just before the gate.

A glance back over the road before we begin

I hiked the ridge in the picture above on Day 247: Santa Rosa Community Park - Lizard Rock.  This is the back way into Wildwood Park, from Camarillo.  Until now, this is the first time that I have trekked in from this side before.  I'm not sure what has taken me so long to get back here?!  Last time I parked at the park but where I parked today makes the most sense for what I'm about to do.  My goal is to reach the backside of Happy Valley and until now, I've always gone in from the Rancho Conejo Open Space.  Let me tell you, hiking in from Camarillo is WAYYYY EASIER!

 Easy river crossing - take the dam bridge :)

 Continue straight

Skip to the *** to continue forward with this trail, or read my excitement below...

By now, I know this area SO WELL!  It took getting lost a couple of times to say this with confidence.  Once you cross the river there will be an option to the right.  If you take that, it will lead you back to Santa Rosa Park.  I see that they built a new people walking bridge near the park so this trail would make for a nice viable alternative versus what I'm about to do.

Anyhow, stay straight and you will soon come to a crossing.  The path to the right will eventually meet up with the one along the river and will take you to the park.  The route to the left will lead you to Hill Canyon Water Treatment facility, but it's not that easy.  You have to look to the right and follow the trail up to the main road which descends from Rancho Conejo Road.  Then when you are at the main dirt road, turn left and this will lead you to the hidden ponds back there.

About ten feet after the intersection on the trail that we are hiking today, there will be another trail option to the left.  See how this can get confusing?  The trail leads you through the canyon toward the 400 Year Old Oak Tree and abandoned car.  This area really is amazing!

*** Basically, from the parking, cross the river and go straight.  Keep going straight and begin climbing the hill...

 Looking back at Hill Canyon Water Treatment

 The green trees lead to the hidden 400 Year Old Oak and Abandoned Car

 Trailheads to the right!

After climbing the hill, maybe a half mile from the trailhead, you will notice these two options on the right. My goal today was to head up this hill away from Happy Valley.  Here's the problem.  I first saw this vague trail on the right before realizing the marked trail on the left side of this picture.  I actually took this pic on my way back down.  Anyhow, I began my pursuit to the right up and through the field.  The tractor impressions make it easy to follow...

 Up to the top, it becomes steep and it's hot!

I thought the trail would take me up and to the right but it took me up and to the left.  It then joins a more obvious trail...

 Neat, higher than Newbury Park and I started in Camarillo

 Overlooking Santa Rosa

 This is Happy Valley - Please dont develop this!

 Mount Conejo in the distance

My goal is to Hike Mt. Conejo but the "Nothing Trail Loop" that I was on began to head lower.  It did reach a fork which appears to head to the Conejo Peak but I will save that one for my next visit.

The Nothing Loop Connector

Nearly at the bottom, I came down from the left and see the proper way up to the right.  This is a neat little loop but it goes no where, really.  However, I did discover this trail today and I will be back to take the easier way up in hopes to reach the top of Mt. Conejo.  For now, it's a mad dash back down and to the bike.  Thanks for playing...

Quick Rewind: Day 612 (Thursday) Arroyo Verde.  **I just discovered a way to make my backyard more interesting.  I will share next time I do it...

Fastest 800 Meter Time of the Year

Day #609 & 610 * Hike #718 & 719 * Duplicate Tracks
Monday & Tuesday July 16 & 17, 2012
Arroyo Verde Park, CA
My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 2.5 Mile * +350 Feet

With Sammi, I took it easy after work with a fast hike through the backyard.  I barely ran, didn't see anything new, just something to do...

Day 611  Hike 720
800 Meter Run at Buena High School

Here we go, strappen on the track cleats to see if I can better my time from a couple weeks ago.  With Jessi, on your mark, get set ... GO!!!

1.37.37 in the first 400 meters.  The pace was 14 seconds faster and Jess was hanging with me every step of the way.  The next 200 meters slowed to a 51 second pace but with 150 meters to go, I turned it on.  I finished the lap in 1.33.23 and the 800 meters clocked in 3.10.60!

Okay, well this is still a far cry from the 2.15 that I hit in 2001 but I'll take it.  A 12 second improvement.  Meanwhile, Jess finished her run in 3.23.20 with a 1.45.80 final quarter.  To my knowledge, the 800 meter time that she set for herself was a personal lifetime best.  Good Job Jess for hanging till the end.

After the half mile run we walked a lap and then Jess wanted to jog another.  She did, I started and then slowed to a waltz.  My legs were too heavy.  --Got the mile distance in, ready to do it again...

Day 608: Sunset Beach

Sunset from Sunset Beach

Day #608 * Hike #717 * New Track #602
Sunday July 15, 2012
Sunset Beach, CA
My Tripometer: 45 Minutes * 1 Mile * +0 Feet

 Free Parking at Sunset Beach!

We were driving down the PCH leaving the Huntington Beach area.  Where Bolsa Chica costs $15 for parking, the next beach over is free.  We were lucky enough to find a spot in the small lot but if you glide through the neighborhoods, you shouldn't have a problem finding a spot.  Heck, it's all the same sand!

 From Sunset Beach, the path leads you to Bolsa Chica & Huntington Beach

 Long Beach in the distance

 Huge surf over here; Ayden's not used to this!

 A view back across the sand to the houses

 Ships coming in and out of Long Beach

A seagull's sunset

Well, this finally concluded our quick weekend getaway.  The hiking never ends...

Guided Hiking Tours & Camping

Do you live outside of Southern California and want to plan a Hiking or Camping Adventure?  Well, now you can make your plans with ease by scheduling a Guided Tour!  This is especially convenient for pack in camping adventures because you won't have to lug your camping gear halfway across the country.  We'll supply everything you need and guide you to the perfect destination.

If you are interested in planning an adventure, please complete the form below with your specifics and I will contact you to discuss the particulars:
 

Bolsa Chica Escological Reserve - Huntington Central Park - Harriet Wieder Regional Park

Strange Birds in the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve!

Day #608 * Hike #716 * New Track #601Sunday July 15, 2012
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve - Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Central Park
My Tripometer: 30 Minutes * 1 Mile * +0 Feet

 John's Philly Grille in Huntington Beach

It was late afternoon and we were overdue for lunch, or maybe it was dinner.  We got away from the PCH and found our way to John's.  The food here is fair - not great.  We ordered the Philly without sauce and it tasted very blah.  Good thing we had ketchup to give it some flavor.  The fries were real salty.  This was not my best Philly Cheese steak experience.

 Open Space: Intersection of Garfield and Seapoint Street

We drove down Goldenwest Street in Huntington Beach and my GPS indicated a large green area known as Huntington Central Park.  We pulled into a parking area and discovered a Frisbee Golf area.  Although interesting, my son wanted to go to the beach before sunset.  We decided to leave this area and made our way to the intersection of Garfield and Seapoint.  If you turn up Seapoint, there is open space which overlooks:

I hiked back here while my family watched a movie in the van.  Nothing too exciting, decent hazy views.  Back in the van, we drove down Seapoint towards PCH.  Harriet Wieder Regional Park.  This would have been a more viable place to visit but it was getting late.  At PCH, Bolsa Chica Beach was directly in front of us and to the right.  We pulled in but when we learned parking was $15, we immediately pulled out.  Across the street there was a small parking lot for Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.  We pulled in there:

 Trailhead

Parking is free but there is no crosswalk and it states no beach parking.  That didn't matter because this place was really neat...

 Views from the boardwalk

 walking across the boardwalk

There were many more amazing birds, like the one seen on the top of this blogpost.  They made the strangest noises but with my camera, the only picture that came out clear was of this one.  I spent about 30 minutes here, accomplished my mile but there were many more miles to conquer if I had the time.  This was a neat little surprise hike which I randomly came about.  Way cool...