My favorite routine, for many years, was to drive Paradise Road to the end and park in the large parking area. I’d put on my shoes, which were a cross between running shoes and lightweight hiking boots. I wore long sweats to keep the ticks off, and a T-shirt. A sweat band helped keep my eyes clear, and I tucked a small towelette in the waist band of my sweats, to wipe my head and neck periodically.
I strapped a small flask of water to my waist. A complex regimen of stretching completed the preparations.
The plan-of-action was to run the dirt Forest Service road (which started from the back of the parking area) all the way back to near Gibralter Dam, and then run back out the river bed trail. This was about a dozen-mile run, and quite taxing. It was fascinating though, because of the variety of terrain, ranging from dry hills to dank riverbed environs.
When I occasionally didn’t feel up to running, I’d walk the route instead, and sometimes make side forays on some of the adjoining trails. If you are like me, you can only go past a trailhead so many times before curiosity wins out and exploring the new trail is a must.
On some days, I’d see quite a variety of wildlife. I’ve seen herds of deer, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, jack rabbits, and squirrels to name a few. It was fun to keep an eye out for our various raptors. Red-tail hawks were my favorite to watch as they hunted.
Wildlife is interesting to watch along some of our trails in the hills right behind town, as well. On an early morning run once, I spotted a few coyotes trotting in single file, each with a small domestic cat in its mouth. Obviously, they had just completed a successful hunt in our neighborhoods.
Use social media one morning when you have some time to kill to research and ask about hiking trails ranging from a couple of hours to much longer. Some of the trails you’ll be turned onto are popular and you’ll have plenty of company on the trail. Others are used much less and will offer you some quiet time far away from people.
You’ll find a nice variety of trails from mild to extremely strenuous, so there is something for everyone.
You know … writing this column using the past tense to describe my own trail experiences, is quite saddening. I really miss running and hiking our back country trails and I need to get these knees fixed.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
