I’ve always had a little streak of adventure in my personality. I often wonder what's over that hill or around the corner...
I set out about 6PM to put in six trail miles on Bommer Ridge. On my way, my phone rang with an important call from a client, so I pulled over to spend the next 30 minutes on the phone. As my call wrapped up, I noticed that I was overlooking Buck Gully. Buck Gully is a bit of a mystery. It separates a couple of ridges of homes, and runs all the way to the ocean in Corona del Mar. I drive past it everyday. I know there is wildlife in the canyon (bobcats, deer, etc.), but I’ve never read a trail report about the canyon and it’s mysteries. In fact, a Google search a few weeks back returned squat! I noticed a satellite picture showed what appeared to be a fire road in the bottom of the canyon, so maybe it was time for an adventure!
I put my hydration pack on and ambled on down into the canyon. It wasn’t long before I realized why I hadn’t read any trail reports. Also – note to self – those Google Maps satellite photos *might be* a little old. Bottom line is I soon found myself moving down a narrow (like one shoe length wide) use path plummeting down into the depths of the canyon. To top it off, I soon found myself standing in a hip high field of thistle. Ouch! Especially in running shorts. Double ouch!
I ended up making it two miles down into the canyon before I reached a place where, to continue, would have required some acrobatic acts through a muddy wide spot in an algae choked stream of irrigation run off. Since I really don’t need a third arm growing out of my forehead, I turned around and made my way back up the hill, and through the thistle. I added one loop around a neighborhood to get close to my planned mileage (5.25 miles). At least my sense of adventure was appeased.
Oh. And in case you’re wondering – yes – one day I’ll be back down there to see if I can make it out to the ocean. As soon as I pull all the burrs out of my socks.
Very brave of you! I sometimes get the urge to explore new trails. Then I see the mountain lion warning signs, so I turn around and go home.
ReplyDeleteLove the elevation profile.
ReplyDeleteYou are crazy.
ReplyDeleteI love when these opportunities arise. Happened to me once up at Will Rogers State Park. Similar outcome. It was also one of the first times I "hung" out with my wife, I'm surprised it actually moved on to a first date after our canyon adventure.
ReplyDeleteHoly Smokey dogs! What an adventure! I am glad you lived to tell us all about it!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kerrie, you are crazy! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWow! Go, Glenn. I'm glad you got in a little adventure and you're still safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteWowzie, you got one heckuva workout!! But aren't you glad you did it afterall?? I love those adventures, just go with no plan and see what ya see! Glad you didn't run into a bobcat, too!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend - yay!!!
Are you sure you don't need a third arm in your forehead? Think of all the extra stuff you could get done! And you could totally high five three people at once!
ReplyDeleteYes, but if you actually had that third arm out of the forehead you might have been able to finish the trail - or not? :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great adventure. You've been hitting quite the elevation changes lately! I can't wait until you tackle the burrs again.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't happen to me anymore, as much as it used to. LOL Every once in a while I still find a trail I haven't been down though. 5.25 miles is still a good trail run. ;)
ReplyDeleteObviously, California is more than Venica Beach! (unfortunately, I have never been there). What an adventure! I look forward to read more :)
ReplyDeleteI've noticed the same thing about Google maps. Makes it hard to give other people directions who are using it too! You are very brave to hit a little-known trail in a big canyon, without anyone knowing you are there, Glenn. I'm just sayin'....
ReplyDeleteAwesome Glenn, Almost thought I was reading a great sci-fi thriller. Thanks for sharing your story on how you almost became a turd out to sea. BTW what hydration pack do you use. I have been curious about purchasing one for some adventures. Oh, bobcats, speaking of which, they have mountain lions here up in the woods. The other day, I heard one, very scary, good thing I was only about a click away from the rangers station. Yes, I believe those google maps are from another time or something. I did a close up on my place once, and it showed a care I had 5 years past gone. lol. Take care!!!!!!!!! Oh, you must know the word verification here - wingwalk
ReplyDeleteThat's quite an adventure Glenn!! One day I'm going to get down there and run some of those trails! Great adventure!! Love the satellite pics, albeit outdated, and the elevation map!
ReplyDeleteYeah...I'd be on the cautious side as far as trail running, but I'm always happy to read reports of trail running.
ReplyDeleteha! I could totally see myself doing something like this - and ending up with stickers all over myself. Fortunatlly though, it makes for a good blog post!
ReplyDeleteOMG, Glenn what the heck were you doing? Thank God this little adventure of yours turned out okay:) I hate thistle...sorry about the ouchy...hopefully this little outing was enough to tame your need for a little crazy:)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend Glenn:)
that is pretty cool! i would've been a wimp, worried about wildlife. bring a machete next time :)
ReplyDeleteHoly cow Glenn! Wow that run up the hill must have been tough! Sounds like a lot of fun to go exploring!
ReplyDeleteyeouch! thistles + sweat can't feel too good. you're way more adventurous than I am. :)
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