Friday, May 28, 2010

That Didn’t Go as Planned…

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!

5-28-2010 7-33-53 AM

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!

Running Buck Gully 5-27-2010

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.

Running Buck Gully 5-27-2010, Elevation - Distance

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.

22 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. I 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.

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  3. Holy Smokey dogs! What an adventure! I am glad you lived to tell us all about it!

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  4. I agree with Kerrie, you are crazy! Have a great weekend.

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  5. Wow! Go, Glenn. I'm glad you got in a little adventure and you're still safe and sound.

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  6. Wowzie, 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!

    Happy weekend - yay!!!

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  7. 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!

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  8. Yes, but if you actually had that third arm out of the forehead you might have been able to finish the trail - or not? :)

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  9. That's a great adventure. You've been hitting quite the elevation changes lately! I can't wait until you tackle the burrs again.

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  10. That 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. ;)

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  11. Obviously, California is more than Venica Beach! (unfortunately, I have never been there). What an adventure! I look forward to read more :)

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  12. I'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'....

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  13. Awesome 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

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  14. That'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!

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  15. Yeah...I'd be on the cautious side as far as trail running, but I'm always happy to read reports of trail running.

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  16. ha! 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!

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  17. OMG, 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:)

    Have a great weekend Glenn:)

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  18. that is pretty cool! i would've been a wimp, worried about wildlife. bring a machete next time :)

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  19. Holy cow Glenn! Wow that run up the hill must have been tough! Sounds like a lot of fun to go exploring!

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  20. yeouch! thistles + sweat can't feel too good. you're way more adventurous than I am. :)

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