Day 639: Paramount Ranch - Western Town - Malibu Lake

Western Town - Paramount Ranch

Day #639 * Hike #753 * NewTrack #622

Thursday August 16, 2012

Paramount Ranch - Western Town - Malibu Lake - Agoura

My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 2.75 Miles * +275 Feet

 Welcome to Paramount!

 Western Town Entrance

Directions:
Paramount was much closer than I thought.  Take the 101 Freeway to Kanana and then head south towards the ocean.  Drive less than a half mile and then turn left on Cornell.  Stay on Cornell for 1.8 miles and you will see the park entrance on your right.  Follow the road back and to the left and then park.

 Strolling through the town looking for a pub

 Bridges across the open marshy field

 Back in town, do not pass Go...

 The Bank was closed

 I chose to hike down here.  The Coyote Trail?

There are many trails beyond the town to the right.  Those led up a grueling looking hill so I stayed away.  Instead, I hiked down here to the left.

 The single track fell steep!

 The creek at the bottom

The downhill led to a legit trail.  It probably went back to the bridges from my pictures across town.  Instead of looping back, I continued down the trail along the creek.  It eventually led out to a street.  The trail ended but I crossed the road and walked across the bridge...

 The creek looks interesting, let's see where it goes..

 At the bottom I found a different way back under the bridge

 I hiked thru a gated neighborhood - lead me to another gated community

 I reached Malibu Lake!

I hiked down the run down looking housing development.  I say run down but the homes I'm sure are all a million plus easily.  It was a very interesting place and nobody was home?  I'm just some shirtless guy walking through a ghost town snapping pictures.  Very eerie...  At the end of the community a road named Overhill lead up and above.  I hiked that and there were no trespass signs.  Well, I stepped over the gate but only for a moment...

 Sick!

 The road went down there, but I turned back!

 Looking back, but wish I could have kept going!

 Back to the Lake.  Amazing rock geology and homes!

 A volcano?

 Finally back to the public trail

There are multiple trails to follow but it was very easy navigating my way back.  Basically follow the creek on the other side and make two left turns.

 Okay, three left turns to reach the parking lot

A random shot on the other side of the fence

This was my first visit to Paramount in my 1000 Hikes.  There are many more visits in the works.  Pretty cool hike overall!

Day 638: Hike to the 'A' for Agoura!

'A' for Agoura High School

Day #638 * Hike #752 * NewTrack #621

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Hike to the 'A' in Agoura

My Tripometer: 45 Minutes * 1.75 Miles * +300 Feet

 Trailhead

Directions:
From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks head south and take the Kanan Road exit.  Turn left to the North for about a mile and then turn right on Thousand Oaks Blvd.  Take this to the end and park.

 Above the 'A' overlooking Agoura High School

This is a very steep climb with a lot of loose rock.  I was not looking forward to climbing down so I was hoping that I could find an alternate way.  The high school track used to be blue, like Camarillo but the new surface is red.  I overhead kids at the aquatic center.  Man, it was hot and I wish I was swimming with them...

 Heading higher above the 'A'

The trail gets scratchy but the elevation is easy

 Ah, a junction - a road takes you deeper into the hills

Keeping things easy, I headed back down the *easy way

*Maybe not that easy.  I slipped a few times.  Nevertheless, much easier than going up.  There was one spot where a trail went off to the left.  I looked at this and it quickly hit a property line.  At the bottom there was a street.  Hmm, an easier way to park and climb up next time...  I ventured across the street to check out the open space.  It looked like there could be a water source but negative, just a drainage ditch with no action.  I hiked back to this trailhead and took the easy way back to my bike.

Days 636 - 638: SAVING A 90-YEAR-OLD LADY‏

On Monday morning I was in my garage getting ready to jump on my motorcycle and head out to work.  I heard a large bang and immediately ran out to the front yard.  Across the street I found my old neighbor lying on the ground.  “Help”, she cried out!  She had fallen and could not get up!

The heavy set woman was trying to push out her garbage bins to the street and she lost her balance.  Normally my neighbor does this task for her but he was in Nepal trekking the Himalayas.  Thus, this very stubborn yet able women attempted to do it herself.

This wasn’t the first time that she has fallen.  About a year ago I heard her yelping cry.  I found her in the hallway of her house on the ground.  In both cases, other than a bruise on her knee, the lady was fine.

After confirming that nothing was broken, I assisted her to her feet.  <~Ouch!  I pulled a muscle or did something horrible to my back.  I hid this excruciating pain from her and gave her a hug.  However, this injury has been tormenting me all week!

In addition to the soreness in my back, I must have pulled my groin?  It’s indescribable.  I can barely mount my bike and whenever I feel like a rolly polly olly when I am laying down.  What and the heck is going on with me?  With no health insurance and a mulish state of mind, I guess I will just deal with it…

Day #636 * Hike #750 * New Track #620

Sunday August 12, 2012

Selling Fruit in the Hills of Via Ondulando & Colina Vista

Camarillo Eagles Fundraiser

My Tripometer: 2 Hours * 2.0 Miles * 400 Feet

The day before the injury, I hiked the streets in the neighborhood on the next hillside with Alyssa and Ayden.  We were selling avocados, grapefruits and oranges from our trees.  The goal was to raise money for Alyssa’s soccer team.  We just found out that she will be competing in a tournament in Dallas next March.  We are already booked for a Vegas and Utah tournament as well.  This is in addition to the many other travels around Southern California.  To say the least, this is Expensive!

We did well with the fruit but we’ll need to keep going out to raise the money needed.  Although we sold out of avocados, I have another tree blooming and we should have several hundred ready to go within the next few weeks.  I have four orange trees and we have picked off about 80% of the fruit.  They seem to always come back when we need them so I am not too worried.  Regarding the large grapefruits, well, I have hundreds and they are not real good sellers…

In the heat, the hike on the street was more exhausting than the comforting dirt trails.  I am not fond of hiking on pavement but it was a good cause and counts as a new trek in a new place.  I spent the remaining hours of the day drinking beer and chilling at our pool…

Day #637 * Hike #751 * Duplicate Track

Monday August 13, 2012

Snakes in Arroyo Verde

My Tripometer: 1 Hours * 2.0 Miles * 325 Feet

It just occurred to me.  I have less than a year to reach 1000 Hikes!  By my calculations, I should be on Mt. Whitney on August 11, 2013!

I took it easy today.  I felt crippled from the incident earlier in the day yet I mustered the might to complete a hike.  My wife ran ahead with the dogs seeking a full blown workout.  She came across three rattlesnakes in three different locations.  I guess one of them was way big!  Others were taking pictures but my wife was pestered by the sight.  In fact, she refused to hike the hills back up and instead went out to the Foothill and walked up our street.

The dogs were beat from the heat, which is a good thing because otherwise they may have encountered the snakes first.  Needless to say, these encounters will make it even more difficult to convince my wife to hike with me.  That sucks!

Day #638 * Hike #752 * Duplicate Track

Tuesday August 14, 2012

2-Mile Run at T.O. High School

My Tripometer: 30 Minutes * 2.0 Miles * 0 Feet

My injury had not gotton any better but I promised my coworker that I would run with him.  Larry once weighed around 400 pounds.  Years later, he has naturally lost the weight by eating right and working out.  He is now down to around 215, my weight!  He’s taller than me so now I feel stupid!

His goal is to join the Navy next year.  Based on his age, he will need to run a mile and a half in 12 minutes (an 8 minute mile pace or 2 minutes per lap).  Larry has been running on a treadmill and today was his first experience on an actual track.  The 100 degree conditions were not real inviting but this wasn’t going to deter us.

Thankfully, Larry is not up to speed yet so I was able to run comfortably with him.  I wasn’t sure what he had in him so I advised him to run the first lap and then I will set the pace for the next 6 and then sprint the final lap. 

After I said GO, I knew Larry was in trouble.  He ran his first 200 meters in 51 seconds.  I was anticipating a 10 minute mile pace so he should have clocked the 200 meter in 1.15.  On the back stretch, he stopped to tie his shoes.  From there, it was jog, walk and stop for water.  Here are the official lap times:

2.04.70

2.28.57

2.32.80

3.17.93  10.24.00

3.26.93

3.43.08

3.24.18

1.21.03  22.19.22

I kept pace with Larry the entire way and then opened up my stride for the final lap.  I pushed passed the groin pull and ran a decent final quarter.  Larry left it all out there and chugged to the end about a minute and a half after me.

I plan to go out with him again to help him out.  I will pace him at a slower rate which will help build his stamina and speed.  I look forward to watching him improve.

Day 635: After the Fire - Pepper Tree Playfield

Overlooking the 101 from the Fire Zone

Day #635 * Hike #749 * New Track #619
Saturday August 11, 2012
After the Fire - Pepper Tree Playfield - Newbury Park, CA
My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours  * 2.5 Miles * +225 Feet

 

 

Directions:

Follow the directions on Day 634: Fire on the Grade!  When you reach the fire line, the Edison Road, turn right.  On Day 634 I went to the left and a day later, this blogpost, I went right...

 

 

 Remnants of a trail

Heading down the Edison Road

My wife and kids are at the Park so I must find a way there

 Approaching the Weigh Stations on the Grade

Yesterday this road was covered withe Firemen.  Today, it is Mine!  At the bottom I reached a locked gate.  Moreover, barbed wire covered it from all angles.  I was able to duck under the fence and I began to trek along the road which will take me to the park...

 Ah, another trail I see!

This trailhead is across from the Mobile Park along Old Conejo Road.  I will return someday to explore it...

 Ayden playing at Pepper Tree Park

Alyssa and Ayden playing a neat game here

 

I have been to this park before in my 1000 Days.  The park offers a 7/8th mile dirt running track.  Pretty cool place, but it was anything but cool today.  We drove up to Newbury Park to buy Alyssa new soccer shoes.  We spent the rest of the day at our pool...

 

The Dam Toilet Cache: Free Cache - Calabasas

5 Points Up For Grabs to the First Person who Finds the Cache. 1 additional Point will be awarded for all other Hunters!  If you haven't already registered, Click Here to become a Free Hunter!

This Cache is hidden in the Santa Monica Mountains.  Use the Free Cache code to decrypt the message below.  The  cache is hidden on Day 632: Century Lake Dam.

Follow the 36:27:18:32:52:30:2_41_15_47_52:2:42. Continue 18:32:30:20:27:13:46:36 past the 54:24:1:32_41. Count your strides to match Clay Mathews football number. Be sure to use his number from the 21:30:24:39:2:18_9_47_25:44:12:51’s. On the blogpost you will see a picture where I 32:1:30:2:52:42_20:30:24:1:2:42. 54_42:24:39:2 at the 30:24:36:38:18. The Cache is 17_1:2:42:52:30_24:2:52.

What is the object inside the Cache?

Please be sure to replace the Cache exactly where you found it. Good Luck!

**$100.00 Cache will be revealed on August 31, 2012!  CLICK HERE for More Details!

Day 632 - 633: Century Lake Dam - Malibu Creek State Park - Cistern Trail - Cage Trail - Lookout Trail

Day #632 * Hike #746 * New Track #616
Wednesday August 8, 2012
Century Lake Dam - Calabasas, CA
Malibu Creek State Park - Cistern Trail - Lookout Trail - Cage Trail
My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours  * 3 Miles * +425 Feet

 An old Cistern?

Directions:
Follow the same driving instructions as Day 570: Cistern Trail to M.A.S.H.

cis·tern  (sstrn)

n.

1. A receptacle for holding water or other liquid, especially a tank for catching and storing rainwater.

..Toilet bowl water is held in a cistern.

**It was over 100 degrees when I left work today and the temperature continued to climb even higher as I rode to the south.  Normally I escape the heat riding down the grade to Camarillo.  But today was relentless.  A burning inferno in which I could not escape.  The hot black pavement and busy traffic along the 101 felt like 125 degrees+++!!!  I nearly fainted - I couldn't breath...  All this for a hike!?

I was dripping sweat when I got off the back.  I went shirtless down the Cistern Trail.  The trail begins with a quick uphill and then it ducks into shade where it intersects the Lookout Trail.  The distance is less than a quarter mile and you drop maybe 150 feet or so.

Lookout Trail Junction

On Day 570, I turned right and took the very long about way to reach the M.A.S.H. Site.  Today my intention was to turn left but I noticed a narrow track going straight (the picture above).  This trail is not on the map so I figured I would try it.

 About a minute in, I turned around

I do not believe it went much further because I was soon to reach the cliff hanging over Crags Road (the main trail in Malibu Creek State Park).  So, I turned back and began trekking east on the Lookout Trail.

 Century Lake below in the lower right

Open Space ahead...

 The Dam is in full view - People climbing the rocks

 In and out of the shade along the 0.4 mile course

 Today's destination

 Turn right on Crags Road

 The Lookout Trail I came down from

 The stretch to Century Lake

You will be walking down the trail on the left in the picture above.  To reach Century Lake, make a sharp left turn toward the large rock mound.

 A tenth of a mile walk to the lake

 Closeup view of the murky CenturyLake

 Gate locked; carefully swing your way around

 Another obstacle - Use your best judgment

 Trail on the other side

 You can scramble lower...

My buddy at work recent visited this area, hence my determination today to conquer the heat and check it out.  I was on a time restraint to meet up at my son's stunt class so I did not go all the way to the bottom.  My dude said that there are large toads down their.  I mean, LARGE!  Over a foot in length.  Crazy, huh?

 The Dam, from a little bit lower angle

I climbed back up and began follow a trail along the rocks even higher.  It quickly got steep so I turned back.  There are many possible paths to take on either side of the dam.  I'm told you can circle back to the Rock Pools but some of the stepping is expected to be sketchy...

 Century Lake (standing on the Dam)

 A final glimpse of the Dam - It's a steep drop so pass carefully

 Back to Crags Road, I turned left.  Will loop back to the car

 A few minutes down the road - Turn Right

There will be a faint trail immediately on the left.  Skip this!  I hiked that one on Day 570 and it was anything but gentle.  Exposed to the sun, steep, loose steps -- horrible!  However, if you go to the right and lower...

 The Shaded Cage Trail!

So nice!  It does go up as well along the dry creek but it's shaded most of the way.  The switchback incline is quite simple, especially compared to that nasty other route right next to you.  I suppose that I am glad that I did not find the Cage Trail last time.  Part of my mission today was to locate the easy loop.  Looks like I did it!

 And here we are, back to the Lookout Trail!

Turn right and then climb back to the Cistern Trail.  The incline is a bit steep and mixed with the heat, I felt like puking.  I didn't but I did jump back on my motorcycle and somehow managed the long ride to finally find relief at the Grade.  Man has it been hot!  I think I lost some weight with this one...  - -

Day #633 * Hike #747 * New Track #617

Thursday August 9, 2012

Thousand Oaks High School - Thousand Oaks, CA

3-Mile Run * 100 Degrees Run in the Sun

My Tripometer: 1 Hour  * 3.25 Miles * +0 Feet

Thousand Oaks Track - Football Practice

I've been getting away from my running, again!  I worked so hard to push my times lower and today I was just looking to do something steady to kee a motion going.  Again, so hot up here.  I couldn't imagine wearing pads and a helmet.

Today's goal was to run three miles (12 laps) at 2.15 a lap.  This is how it worked out:

2.27.66

2.36.07

2.29.56

2.27.39 -- 10.00.68

2.27.75

2.25.19

2.22.67

2.25.18 -- 19.41.47

2.30.93

2.41.39

2.40.01

1.59.97 -- 29.33.77

Just under 30 minutes for 3 Miles!  Really!!  I faded badly at the end and I wanted to stop, but I didn't.  I pushed through the heat and blistered my feet.  My track shoes are not meant for this longer distance run; they felt like they were on fire the whole time!  I was thirsty after lap 2.

Well, Mission accomplished!  Some of the guys at work give me a hard time regarding Running as a Hike.  Well, I looked up the definition of "hike" and here it is:

Hike / [hahyk] verb,

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

Based on the simple definition, I was in fact taking a "Hike".  I get the point, a broader look at Hiking:

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

**Sure, this is my goal.  But I realized that it is quite helpful to run once in awhile to burn fat, build energy and stay in shape.  Hiking alone does not cut it.  So, I keep it real and try to find new outdoor places to make the effort to count as a HIKE!  My rules and I am still doing something over a mile outside every single day.  Finding new locations, etc...   

Free Cache: The Cache in the Rye - Western Ventura County

5 Points Up For Grabs for the first Hunter to find the Cache!  1 additional point awarded to all other Hunters who find the Cache.  If you are not already a member, Register for Free to decrypt the code.

This Cache is easy to find and it's located in Western Ventura County.  The cache is less than a minute from the trailhead.  Look for 31_48-8-51_10-27-36-32-24-30-27-20_32-1-2-2-52-26.

Begin at the trailhead and make a left turn. Just after you pass the first 26-27-13-46-32_11-24-18-32_28_47_23_54 at the bottom of the first 32-30-52-52 and you will find the cache!

47_50_3_20_32-27-36-32-20-36 container.  There is “rye” grass covering the cache.  What is the Buzz Word inside?

Please do not open the container and please be sure to replace the cache exactly where you found it.

Day 630 - 631: Peninsula Park - Channel Islands Harbor - Hot in So Cal!

Day #630 * Hike #744 * New Track #615
Monday August 6, 2012
Peninsula Park - Oxnard, CA
Channel Islands Harbor
My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours  * 1.5 Miles * +25 Feet

 

This was the beginning of a very HOT week!  After work I picked up Ayden and we rode bikes around Peninsula Park - Channel Islands Harbor.  We locked up the bikes and hiked a mile + checking out all the boats.  The cool ocean breeze was a nice relief from the scorcher up the grade.  Riding my Motorcycle home from work felt like a burning inferno until I hit the grade.

 

 

Day #631 * Hike #745 * Duplicate Track
Tuesday August 7, 2012
Pleasant Valley Fields - Camarillo, CA
My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours  * 2 Miles * +25 Feet

Today was even hotter than yesterday so I bypassed a new hike in Conejo Valley.  I met my wife and Alyssa at the Pleasant Valley Soccer Fields for Alyssa's practice.  It was still hot in Camarillo but it was tolerable.  Some of the older girls were jogging around the entire field today.  It took them over ten minutes a lap.  I figure the distance is a mile so I burned out two laps myself.  However, instead of running around on the grassy field, I ran up on the dirt track; more legit for a hike...