Most of the trail between Mt. Pinos and Mt. Abel is in old growth pine and fir. One exception is this area of downed trees near the Cerro Noroeste road. The brushy plant with yellow flowers is rabbitbrush (probably Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus).
From today’s run to Mt. Abel and back from Mt. Pinos on the Vincent Tumamait Trail in Los Padres National Forest.
The afternoon was hot, and the hill was not easy. I plodded up the rutted dirt road, watching my footfalls, and glancing upward from time to time. It was one of those days when hills grow long and steep, and sweat stings your eyes.
Part way up the grade, I caught a glimpse of two deer crossing the road. I didn’t get a good look, but thought it might be another buck and doe, like the pair I recently encountered in Topanga State Park. I stopped running, pulled out my camera, and walked slowly up to the point where a game trail left the road.
I was expecting the pair to have dissolved into the brush, but apparently they had not seen me. They were about halfway up a rounded hill, backlit by the sun, and partially hidden by dried grasses and mustard stalks. The buck’s head was down, and the doe’s ears fluttered nervously to and fro.
Suddenly the buck’s head shot up. As I watched, the animal’s silhouette grew impossibly tall. His thick neck extended from heavily muscled shoulders, projecting an iconic image of dominance that was amplified by his formidable, multi-tined antlers.
Awestruck, I snapped what photos I could, and then turned and began to slowly jog up the road. Periodically I would stop and turn, and see if the deer were still in sight. As I crested the climb, I could just make out the pair on the top of the now distant knoll.
Tree poppy (Dendromecon rigida) on Temescal Ridge Fire Road, on the way to the Hub in Topanga State Park.
From a run in March of the Will Rogers – Temescal Loop in the Santa Monica Mountains.
A sib of the ultralight SpeedCross 2, the Salomon SpeedComp trail running shoe trades the “snow and mud rated” lug sole of the SpeedCross 2 for a high traction tread reminiscent of a low profile, high performance tire. The result is a fast, lightweight shoe that should perform well on most trails and in a variety of conditions.
Mine arrived yesterday and I took them out for a 7 mile spin at Ahmanson Ranch. There were no surprises — the SpeedComp ran very similar to the SpeedCross 2, with good shock absorption and cushioning for such a lightweight shoe.
In addition to the outsole tread, there are a few other differences in design. The toe cap of the SpeedComp extends further back along the welt, and the sole wraps up over the sides of the cap, providing additional protection on rocky trails. A heel pull-tab has also been added.
My pair of SpeedComps (US 9.0) weighed in at a light 22.6 oz.
Update 05/29/09. In rotation with two pairs of XT Wings, and a pair of Adidas Response Trail 15s, I’ve now logged 235 miles on the Speedcomps, and have not changed my opinion of the shoe. I used the Speedcomps in the Boney Mountain Half Marathon, Bandit 30K, and Malibu Creek Challenge 22K, with excellent results — two firsts and a second in my age class.
Update 01/29/09. In rotation with my other shoes, I’ve logged 150 miles in the Speedcomps now. I’ve used them on a variety of trails and terrain, and am very happy with the shoe.
Update 09/21/08. Did the 14 mile Bulldog Loop in the SpeedComps today. This course is mostly ungroomed dirt road, but there is also some rocky single track, a section on exposed sandstone, and even a little pavement. The SpeedComp was comfortable, nimble, and it’s traction on the rocky sections was impressive.
Related post: Salomon SpeedCross 2 & adidas Response Trail 14
When running in the Trippet Ranch area of Topanga State Park, more often than not, I see mule deer browsing among the oaks along Eagle Springs Fire Road, or along the Musch Meadow Trail.
On Sunday’s Trippet Ranch loop, these deer were near the Musch Meadow Trail. The young buck appeared to be taking more than a passing interest in the doe. The breeding season for mule deer varies widely, and begins as early as mid-September in some locations.
Here is a zoomed view of the doe and buck.
Related post: Musch Trail Mule Deer
Fall color is not as widespread in chaparral as in some other plant communities. This vividly colored poison oak is along the Garapito Trail in Topanga State Park.
From a run of the Trippet Ranch Loop from Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park at the southern end of Reseda Blvd., in the San Fernando Valley.
Related post: Poison Oak, Ferns Along the Garapito Trail