Day 628: Little Mutau Trailhead - Lost to McDonald Cabin

Overlooking Alder Creek from the Little Matau Trail

Day #628 * Hike #740 * New Track #611
Saturday August 4, 2012
Little Mutau Trailhead - Gorman, CA
McDonald Cabin - Getting Lost Again!
My Tripometer: 2 Hours  * 3.25 Mile * +625 Feet

Directions:

 From the 126, take the I 5 North 31 miles. Exit 202 - Gorman

(about an hour from Ventura)

Turn left off the freeway and then turn right on Peace Valley Road (the very first light - McDonalds on the right).  About a mile down, turn left into Hungary Valley.  This comes up fast and there are no traffic signals.  There is a small yellow Hungary Valley sign by the entrance.  If you reach Tejon Pass that means you went too far.

Once you enter Hungary Valley, set your odometer.  The road you are on is known as Gold Hill Road.  You will reach a gate about an eighth of a mile into the park and you will need to pay a $5.00 daily fee, unless you have a California Adventure Pass.

At 2.2 miles down Gold Hill road I took a quick break at Edison Campgrounds:

 Edison Campgrounds

Continue down Gold Hill Road.  You will pass many off ride vehicles and low lying dirt campgrounds.  These may be good if you are hauling a toy trailer but our destination today is up top...

 At 5.3 miles, turn right to stay on Gold Hill Road

At 13.4 miles in, the paved road becomes a dirt road.  As you wind up the mountain, there are a few sketchy spots on the road but as long as you're careful, mostly any car should be able to make it up.  It's one of the better dirt roads that I have driven on...

 At 17.9 Miles, turn left toward Little Mutau

(This road loops around the entire top up here)

 At 21.3 Miles, turn left off the main loop

Little Mutau Trailhead - Park your car
21.9 Miles from Park Entrance ~1 Hour
(2 Hours total drive time from Ventura)

 The map in Spanish on the sign

 On my very first hike in Southern California, I trekked from the Dough Flat in Filmore and had no idea where the trail would take us.  I was with my buddy and he wanted to turn back after an hour or so but I said, just a little bit further.  Extending the journey we found a dilapidated sign which read McDonald Cabin.  It was shortly after that where I bought a map of the Los Padres and then took the 21+ mile hike from Johnston Ridge, camped at Sespe Hot Springs, and hiked passed Alder Creek and Cow Spring all the way back to Dough Flat.  That was one exhausting hike and we all ran out of water.  On the 2000+ foot climb up from Alder Creek, I ditched my heavy backpack.  I was in real bad shape.  Fortunately, Domino figured a way through it...

I revisited the area two weeks later for a two night trip.  The plan was to reclaim my backpack, which I did and then camp at Alder.  From there, take a day hike to find McDonald Cabin.  It was hard finding the trail at first, but we did.  We found an amazing cold spring on the other side!  However, there was no trail.  We hiked for a couple of hours and never did find McDonald.  Moreover, I read that there is an Indian Cave with pictographs back here.  Never found it and for nearly 10 years, I've been waiting to revisit the area.  Here we go...

 Approx 6300 foot elevation

 I lost the trail, but hiked to the ridge; my destination is below

 The map that I left in my car!

I am an idiot!  I've had this route memorized for years.  I knew it was 0.4 miles to the first junction but for some odd reason, I thought that I would be turning left at this junction to take the trail down to McDonald.  Well, I lost the trail almost immediately but I saw a track which split right through a fallen tree to the left so I took my chances.  This area was devastated by a fire and it doesn't appear that many people trek back here.

 No trail, so I began descending this way

 oops, the road - this leads to Buck Creek

I was basically hiking toward McDonald Peak until I ventured down here.  I was sooo far off my destination.  Sammi wanted to hike the road but I was determined to make it right so I turned around and climbed back up.  The footing was bad because there was no trail.  The air was thin which wore me out real fast.  I even fell on my back at one point!

 An old Trail sign?

Pretty cool.  I'm lost but I found this.  I bet not too many people come across this sign these days...

Hey, I finally found the trail!

There were no footprints on it.  No abandoned water bottles.  This spot is way cool!

Okay, here we go, my destination is below!

 Looking back, lost again?!

 Did I miss a switchback?

When I used to hike with Domino, she always seemed to lead me the right way.  Following behind Sammi is like being lead by the blind.  I end up hiking up to the top of those rocks...

 30 Times Zoomed in, I see the switchback trail

 I hiked all the way down and then forced myself up!

I had enough!  I reached the trail again but I was empty!  I wasted this visit.  I clearly saw the trail going up and down.  Rather than follow it down, I began heading back up...

 Switchback: hard to see, right?

In fact, when I was coming back up I ended up heading back to the very same rocks that I just scrambled down.  I fell off the trail again by missing the switchback!  It felt like one of those movies where you keep going in circles to nowhere.  This time, I traced back and found the way.  Unbelievable.  I hiked a bit slower and made sure to find the right way back to the car...

 The trail must be under the growth, but I am nearly back...

 The trail is up there, somewhere.  Sammi seems to know...

She found it and we are just about back

Well, I obviously made it but I wasted my time up here.  Two hours and at no point was I more than a mile from my car.  I had to beg my wife to allow me to drive two hours to reach this trailhead, which happens to still be in Ventura County.  I now feel like I know my way up here so maybe this is something that I had to go through.  My intention today was to take my son and we were going to camp out.  I guess it's a good thing that did not happen but I would like to plan for real that scenario some time real soon.  I will be back!

Day 627: The Cross - Grant Park - Ventura

The Cross

Day #627 * Hike #739 * Duplicate Track
Friday August 3, 2012
Grant Park "The Cross" - Ventura, CA
My Tripometer: 30 Minutes  * 1 Mile * +125 Feet

My previous visit:

Day 38: Serra Cross Park

Overlooking Ventura (my cheap camera phone)

Friday morning I rode up on my bike with Ayden to the Cross.  This was a very simple hike as I was passing time until my crucial 10:00 meeting.  After 30 minutes of wandering I figured that my mile was satisfied.  From there - the meeting!  It didn't go well. 

Without naming names, I'm going to give these guys a chance to man up.  My wife and I are a victim of the old Bait and Switch.  If we cannot reach a fair and reasonable compromise, I will forward this incident to the State Attorney General, Consumer Affairs, the Senator and the county district attorney.  We will sue for misrepresentation and notify all of these organizations for this company's deceptive business practices!  We relied on their presentation when entering the contract and now they flipped the entire situation.  They honestly feel that it is okay to do business this way.  Outrageous!!  I kind of hope that they do not enter into a confidential settlement release and agreement with us.  If they opt out, I will publicly massacre them!  It's the right thing to do because I feel certain that we are not the only customer that they have done this to.

In a law suit, we could win up to three times the original amount in damages.  That's over $20k!!  However, knowing and dealing with litigations for a living, there is no guarantee to collect on judgment and the time frame for such could be quite a while.  I just want my money back and I believe settling makes the most sense.  Stay tuned for this story...

$100.00 Cash Cache!

Check out the Video:

You Tube: $100.00 Cash Cache!!!

***On August 31, 2012 at 8:00pm PST, I will officially reveal the clues to find the $100.00 Cash Cache.  To participate in the hunt, please register at: Cash Caches Link

Someone has to find the cache.  Will it be you?  Even if someone beats you to this one, I will be hiding many more cash caches in the upcoming months.  Go out and explore, have some fun and maybe you'll walk way with a Benjamin!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

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

Days 622 - 626 : Six Flags Magic Mountain

Apocalypse at Magic Mountain

Day #622 * Hike #734 * New Track #610
Sunday July 29, 2012
Six Flags Magic Mountain - Valencia, CA
My Tripometer: All Day  * 4 Miles * +175 Feet

 Really?!  $17.00 for Parking!!!

It was Ayden's birthday last week and I forgot to mention this to the guy.  Parking would have been Free!

 Parking Way Out Here!

We got off to a late start today.  Alyssa had a soccer game in the morning and I hiked to the V around lunch time.  As a result, we were stranded way out here!  The only good thing coming out of this is that I can technically use it as a new hike.  We bypassed the shuttle and trekked nearly a half mile to the front gate.  Once there I presented the gate keeper with the free tickets for my kids and I had intended paying the $40.00 kids price for my entrance.  However, I didn't read the ticket carefully.  It clearly stated that I would have needed to purchase the ticket online and as a result, I paid the $60 or $67 full price entrance fee.  What a bummer!

Directions:
From the I 5 in Santa Clarita, exit at Magic Mountain Parkway and take that to the end...

Although I had a new track last year for Magic Mountain, I walked enough new space today to consider this a new hike.  As I stated last year, this is a mountain and before the theme park, this would have been a legit trail.  I surpassed my 1 mile outdoor requirement to count it as a hike!

Our first ride of the day; OMG!

After waiting in line for an hour and a half, here we go!  Although they said no cameras, I video taped the ride.  Watch it on You Tube:

YouTube: Ride Goliath!

Alyssa on stage at the Hypnotist Show

Alyssa went up there thinking she was really going to by hypnotized.  She realized nearly immediately that it didn't work.  Nevertheless, she went along with it and Ayden in the audience believed that she was really asleep and moving around based on the hypnotist's words.


Day #623 * Hike #735 * Duplicate Track
Monday July 30, 2012
2 Mile Run: Buena - Ventura, CA
My Tripometer: 30 Minutes  * 2.25 Miles * +25 Feet

2.04.60
2.03.99
1.57.52
1.58.81 -- 8.04.92 1st Mile
2.01.79
2.04.04
2.01.09
1.42.27 -- 7.49.19 2nd Mile   :::  15.54.11 2 Mile Time

I ran this alone today and was determined to do it under 16 minutes.  I was deterred at first because the front gate was locked!  I drove around the side, jumped a fence and ran on the high school track.  If my wife and kids were here, I wouldn't have done this.  Come to find out, there was another father running the bleachers and his kids were playing on the football field.  There were also some other football players messing around.  Anyhow, my fastest 2 mile time of the year!  I still way 220 pounds, which makes these runs very hard!  At the end, I fell to the ground for a good ten minutes - I left it all out there!



Day #624 * Hike #736 * Duplicate Track
Tuesday July 31, 2012
Arroyo Verde - Ventura, CA
My Tripometer: 1 Hour  * 2.5 Miles * +325 Feet

Today we learned horrible news about our home remodel.  Depending on the outcome of the foregoing, I may or may not write more about this!  --I passed up a bigger hike today to keep it easy with the dogs!


Day #625 * Hike #737 * Duplicate Track
Wednesday August 1, 2012
Ventura County Fair - Ventura, CA
My Tripometer: 3 Hours  * 2.5 Miles * +25 Feet

I took the day off work today and had planned a real long hike.  Originally, I was going to Hike Mt. Baldy with Ayden but my wife disapproved.  So, I picked a new spot in the Sespe but due to the home remodel problem, I had to attend a meeting this morning.  It didn't go well!

After the meeting I decided to bypass the long hike and go to the fair with my family.  There is a lot of walking involved with this one and finding a free place to park was not easy!  This is not the worthy hike that I anticipated and it certainly was not free.  However, at least I carried on with my outdoor activity for now 625 days in a row!  Since I pretty much tramped the same grounds last year, this became a duplicate track which puts me two full weeks behind on my New Tracks!


Day #626 * Hike #738 * Duplicate Track
Thursday August 2, 2012
Arroyo Verde Park - Ventura, CA
My Tripometer: 1 Hour  * 1.5 Miles * +325 Feet

I'm losing sleep dwelling about the home remodel project.  I hiked the minimum with my dogs at Arroyo Verde today.  I have to take five hours off work tomorrow (Today as I write this) to meet with the owner of this company responsible for all this torment.  Again, I may or may not divulge the details of what happened based on their final decision.  I am not very optimistic about their intent and I do plan to contact the District Attorney for Deceptive Trade Practices, Misrepresentation and so on and so forth!  I can't believe the nerve of this guy!!!  Stay tuned...

Free Cache Game #FC0001

Find the Hidden Cache!  If you are not already a member, CLICK HERE to Free Cache Enrollment Form.

5 Points are up for grabs for the first Free Hunter to succesfully find the cache and report back.  1 additional point will be awarded to all other Free Hunters who solve the clue.  Use the Free Cache Decryption Code to locate the cache:

Follow_22:34_16_48:25:48_35, 47_56:24:24:11_21:52:34:24:2:42_47_26:24:18_30:24:21:2652:18.
Navigate the post to the picture with the 2:24_32:30:52:18:11:20:18:18:27:2:13_36:20:11:32:27:24:2.
47_50_3_9_47_21:1:18:46:52:18_28_47_37 in the picture before the 13:20:32:52.
I placed a 30:24:36:38_9_45:30:24:2:32_24:45_47_50_20:32_47_21:24:32:32:24:22_24:45_47_32:30:1:2:38.

Do Not Open the Cache!  To win the points; What is the object inside the cache?  Use the response form below:

Please be sure to replace the cache exactly where you found it.  Have Fun and Good Luck!

Day 622: Above the V Loop

Two Trees from Above the V Loop

Day #622 * Hike #733 * New Track #609
Sunday July 29, 2012
Above the V Loop - Ventura, CA
My Tripometer: 45 Minutes  * 1.75 Miles * +425 Feet

 Trailhead

Directions:
From Downtown Ventura, take Catalina up to the very top of the hill and turn right on Hillcrest.  Follow this higher and around and look for the trailhead on the right.

Earlier that morning we watched Alyssa and the Eagles win 4-0.  She aided with an assist but it wasn't enough to take them to the tournament finals.  Oh well...

I first visited this area on Day 587: Hike to the V, just a month ago.  Follow the trail up and to the right.  Pass the locked gate and you will soon reach a fork in the trail.  Last time I took the right fork which lead directly to the V.  Today, I went to the left...

 The ground will swallow you :)

 The V below

There is a faint fork in the trail here

I chose the main trail which takes you higher...

 New views of the Back Country behind the Ventura Hills

 Overlooking Ventura on this overcast day

Hall Canyon - I tried hiking this on Day 593: Hall Canyon

Due to the locked gate, I did not reach the back country

 Let's go back this way...

My wife called and said that I would be taking the kids to Magic Mountain today.  So, my hike was cut short.  However, I noticed a lower trail on my way up so I hiked back down the hill and then proceeded lower along the trail in the picture above.  This eventually lead back to the faint fork in the main trail just above the V.

With today's findings, I can easily plan two more hikes from this trailhead.  First, I will follow the same high route in effort to reach Two Trees.  Possibly I can locate a legit route to hike to the Hall Canyon Road which I believe will lead to Day 79: Sulpher Mountain Road.

I will then come back another time to hike the lower trail and then branch off to reach those radio towers.  I believe that I should eventually run into Day 38: Serra Cross (The Cross).

Ventura: The best climate in the World!

Day 621: Soccer, Diving & My Fastest Lap of the Year!

Alyssa Battling for Position

Day #621 * Hike #732 * New Track #608
Saturday July 28, 2012
Pleasant Valley Fields - Camarillo, CA
My Tripometer: 2 Hours * 1.25 Miles * +25 Feet

 This girl has long hair!

 The Eagles lost this game 2 - 0

Do you get to sleep in on the weekend?  I don't!  The alarm went off at 5:45am and we were at the field by 6:45.  After dropping of Alyssa at the parking lot entrance, I drove to the far backside to begin my hike before the game.  I'm not paying $7.00 for parking so I created a new track around the perimeter of the complex!  Then, I hopped the fence and met up with the family in time for the 8:00 contest!

**After the game we had some downtime.  So, I took this opportunity to run at Buena.  My goal today was to run a quarter mile in under a minute twenty.  My time:

1:16.22

Not a blazing fast quarter mile, but my fastest of the year nevertheless!  It's a far cry from my 54 second dash that I ran in 1995.  I honestly feel like a fat humphalump trying to run out there.  At no point during this speed race did I feel that I ever reached top speed.  I once clocked myself running at 23 mph on one of those radar guns next to a speed limit sign on a street in Beachwood, Ohio; Hiltop Road to be exact.  I was in jeans and regular shoes then so I assume I could have reached speeds of 25mph.  I believe the fastest human ever clocked is about 28, so in my day, I wasn't too far off.  Hmm, wonder what I could reach now???

Game 2: Eagles win 2 - 0!

I left the game early to take Ayden to his dive meet:

 Ayden scores a 5.0 / 5.0 / 5.5 for his 1 1/2 dive

These are great scores for his age bracket.  He does the 1 1/2 somersault brilliantly!

 Ayden with his team and (girlfriend?)

Day 620: Victoria Tunnel Bike Path

Large Tree at Mound Middle School

Day #620 * Hike #731 * Duplicate Track
Friday July 27, 2012
Victoria Tunnel Bike Path - Ventura, CA
My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours * 2 Miles * +50 Feet

 Trailhead

Directions
From the 101 Freeway in Ventura, exit on Victoria and head north.  Pass Telephone and at the next light, turn left on Thille (The Government Center will be on the right).  On Thille, pass the first stop sign and the marked crosswalk and then turn right on Ringo Ave (the first street).  Make an immediate right onto Quinn St. and follow this around to the left as it becomes Tiemey Ave.  Continue on Tiemey to the end and turn left on Tull St.  About halfway down you will see the trailhead on the right. 

Although this is technically a new trailhead for me, the hike is considered a duplicate because the vast majority of this trail I have done several times.

Jogging along while Ayden rides his new Bike

From the trailhead we turned left down the path.  The picture above represents the beginning of our journey.  After a short while, this path ends and we turned back.  We continued past the Victoria Tunnel and eventually went on top of the people walking bridge:

 Trucks are blaring their pipes at the kids!

Shot the ball with my left and snapped a picture with my right

This was no easy task.  When I finally made a shot, the ball got stuck in the net.  We played at the park until sundown and then sped back to the car...

Day 617 - 619: Running Faster by the Day...

Day #617 * Hike #728 * Duplicate Track
Tuesday July 24, 2012
Camarillo High School - Camarillo, CA

The Mile Around the Blue

Happy Birthday Ayden!

My Tripometer: 30 Minutes * 1.25 Miles * +25 Feet
Ayden Turned 9 today.  If you look by the goal post, he is in the red hooded sweatshirt up to no good.  I broke away from Alyssa's soccer practice today to run the mile...

1.55.48

1.49.75

1.52.87

1.42.50  -- 7.20.60 Fastest Mile of the Year

I guess I ran here once last year; darn, thought this was a New Track today!  I'm starting to fall behind and really need another vacation to catch up!

The Cam High track looks cool but the old hard surface lacks the newer bounce that Buena has.  Although I set my fastest time of the year, I feel I could have performed even better.  The track was busy with little cheerleaders but I do not fault them.  I blame the heavy ladies walking five wide on the inside of the track which forced me into lane 6 on one turn!  Do you know how hard it is to run, shift to the far outside in the middle of the turn and then run back inside?  It completely winded me and I had to do this several times.  Onc family was pushing a baby stroller and another kid was on a bike.  This was not a good day to run a short distance for a good time.  Nevertheless, I pulled it off...

When the run was over, I ran up the concrete bleachers a few times and snapped a picture :)

Day #618 * Hike #729 * Duplicate Track
Wednesday July 25, 2012
Arroyo Verde - Ventura, CA
My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 1.5 Miles * +325 Feet

A trot through the park with Sammi.  No Geocache found.  Peanut Butter!

Day #619 * Hike #730 * New Track #607
Thursday July 26, 2012
Monte Vista Middle School - Camarillo, CA
My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 1.5 Miles * +25 Feet

During soccer practice at Valle Lindo Park, I walked away and found myself down the street at the middle school.  There was football practices everywhere!  I walked around the grass and reminisced on my favorite sport, other than hiking.

Day 616: The Loop Beyond the Los Robles Trail - Los Padres Trail - Hillsborough Trailhead

Day #616 * Hike #727 * New Track #606

Monday July 23, 2012
The Loop Beyond the Los Robles Trail - Thousand Oaks, CA

Los Padres Trail - Hillsborough Trailhead

My Tripometer: 1.25 Hours * 3.5 Miles * +850 Feet

 Trailhead

Directions:
From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, exit on Moorpark.  Head to the west towards the Santa Monica Mountains.  About a quarter mile up, turn left on Los Padres.  Head up the hill and then turn right on Hillsborough.  Park at the cul-de-sac.  The trailhead will be on your right.

Trail Junction, keep left up the dirt road 

The last time I trekked this way was on Day 16: Los Padres Trail.  This is a cool shaded trail which you can catch off Los Padres Road.  From this junction, I follow the short ten minute track up the hill.

 Spotted a large lizard in the rocks

 No Trespassing?

At the top of the hill you have several options.  On Day 16 I went left and climbed to the top of the radio tower.  Pretty cool views up there.  To the right, you will reach Day 24: Moorpark Trailhead.  So, today I decided to hike over the fence to see what's out there...

 Across the first field, I took a left

 The trail wraps around a second field...

 Eventually, you will reach a ranch

 I turned back and went left at the fork (came from the right)

 Bonus!  After climbing a hill, the trail lowers to a hidden pond!!!

 I continued straight - elevation gain!

 Overlooking Thousand Oaks Mall!

 Found a way back to the Los Robles Trail

Geocaching: FOUND!

Day #615 * Hike #726 * Duplicate Track

Sunday July 22, 2012
Arroyo Verde Park - Ventura, CA

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 1.5 Miles * +300 Feet


The search for my first Geocache continues.  I logged on to http://www.geocaching.com/ and began searching for a Peanut Butter jar.  The title of this cache was Mountain Lion Lunch Break, or something close to that.  I plugged in the coordinates on Google, memorized the location and then began my search.

I hiked down from my backyard to just above the park where the cache was supposedly hidden in some bamboo.  I found the bamboo off the trail but after ten minutes of searching, no cache!  Ugh!!

**Later that day, I drove with my wife and some kids to Juanamaria Park.  Using the GPS on her smart phone, we determined that there should be a cache hidden just behind this sign:

**I did not add this visit to Juana Maria as a Hike because I trekked less than a mile total (in case you were wondering).  With all the kids, we searched for a good 20 minutes and then finally found it!

Geocache found in a camo pill bottle!

To reach the cache, walk around the bushes facing the park and look hard.  It's in the last small tree to the north before the bushy shrubs.  I found the cache near the ground but replaced it at four feet in height because that's what the original description said.  What's inside you might ask?  Well, just a piece of paper for you to sign.

My wife said, "We're never doing this again.  It's stupid!"  I commend her for putting up with me today because I was stressing from morning to late afternoon in search for a cache.  When we finally found one, it would have been nice to actually discover treasure.

Hey, I get it.  It's fun just to find things.  It's an accomplishment and I was truly excited when I found it.  However, it did lack the luster that I was hoping for.  If you follow my blog regularly, you may recall that I used to hide "Seal Treasures".  This was in conjunction with my SEALthe Beach campaign last year.  I never did attract much of a following for it so I stopped hiding them altogether.  However, I have no come up with a new, promising concept.  Why not hide REAL MONEY in these caches?! 

Check out the game that I have created and play along.  Even if you read this from outside Cali, there's a part for you too.  Click on: PLAY the CASH CACHE Adventure!

Good Luck!