Category Archives: trails|smmc open space

nature, photography, photography|landscape, running, trails, trails|smmc open space

Classic Cheeseboro Canyon

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Cheeseboro Canyon

The 13 mile keyhole loop through Las Virgenes and Cheeseboro Canyons from the Ahmanson Victory trailhead is a classic Southern California mix of multi-use fire roads and single track trail.

The segment from Shepherd’s Flat down through Cheeseboro Canyon is especially popular, and on the weekend you’ll find an assortment of hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and sometimes an equestrian group or two. Even on a warm day, the oak-shaded sections of the canyon can be surprisingly comfortable.

Here’s a Google Earth image and Cesium browser View of a GPS trace of the loop, and links to trail maps for Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahmanson Ranch) and Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons.

photography, photography|quirky, running, trails, trails|smmc open space

Overcoming Obstacles on the Trail

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Part of the fun of running trails is the challenge of overcoming obstacles that may block your progress. These can range from fallen trees and swollen streams, to rattlesnakes and rockslides — or as was the case yesterday on Lasky Mesa in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, the occasional stray truck.

The truck was part of a assemblage of vehicles associated with a production company. The Ahmanson Ranch area is favored for film production, and classics such as Gone with the Wind, They Died With Their Boots On, The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Thundering Herd, and Duel in the Sun were filmed here. More recently, the bridge scene in Mission Impossible III was shot here.

nature, nature|clouds, nature|weather, photography, photography|landscape, trails, trails|smmc open space, weather, weather|southern california

Rocky Peak Running Weather

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View northwest from Rocky Peak

Brrr… I picked up the pace — even with long sleeves it was COLD on Rocky Peak Road. Another in a series of blustery April systems was stirring up the weather in Southern California. Thickening clouds spritzed rain, and a belligerent wind told me in laughing gusts that I could not run fast enough to stay warm.

Occasionally a patch of sun would find its way through the clouds, briefly warm and encouraging. I needed only  to think of the 100 degree days ahead to appreciate the chilly temps.

Another cool system is forecast to move through Southern California on Friday, bringing with it a chance of rain — and more great running weather. Easter weekend should be spectacular!

Some related posts: Simi Valley from Rocky Peak, San Fernando Valley from Rocky Peak

photography, photography|landscape, trails, trails|smmc open space

Lower Stagecoach – Hummingbird Loop

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Hummingbird Trail in Rocky Peak Park

Hummingbird Trail

 The Lower Stagecoach – Hummingbird loop is a shorter, somewhat less strenuous alternative to the Chumash – Hummingbird and Chumash – Las Llajas loops. Approximately 6 miles long, about a mile of the route is on pavement, with the remainder on single track trail and fire road. The elevation gain/loss on the loop is about 1300 ft.


https://photographyontherun.com/content/binary/LowerStagecoachGoogleEarth.jpg
I usually start the loop at Santa Susana Pass and pick up the Lower Stagecoach Trail a short distance west of the pass down Santa Susana Pass Rd. The route climbs out of the canyon before descending to Corriganville Park. It does not follow the old road bed (with a lot of poison oak) down the canyon, or cross the Metro Link railroad tracks.

As discussed in the post Chumash – Hummingbird Loop, the area on Kuehner Dr. near the start of the Hummingbird Trail is being developed, but it appears that development has been suspended. The Hummingbird trailhead is located at the end of Kuehner Dr., near the entrance to Hummingbird Ranch. Trail signs have been placed indicating the route of the trail over park district property. Here’s a Google Earth image and Google Earth KMZ file of a GPS trace of the loop.

Some related posts: Chumash – Hummingbird Loop, Chumash – Las Llajas Loop, Old Santa Susana Stage Road

photography, photography|trail running, running, running|races, trails, trails|smmc open space

Bandit 30K 2009

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Steep climb up Rocky Peak Road on the Bandit 30K and 14K Courses. Photo is from November 2007.

Steep climb on the Bandit 30K and 14K Courses.

Low clouds cling to the slopes of Rocky Peak, and a cool downslope breeze stirs through the runners gathered at the start line in Corriganville Park. Three… A race organizer holding a “turn on your Garmin” sign is counting us down. Two… Runners anxious to get on the course collectively take a deep breath. One…  Go! The first steep climb is just minutes away…

You never know what you’re going to get in the first edition of a race, but in this case the Bandit 30K/14K organizers appeared to have considered every detail. Check-in went smoothly, the race started precisely at 8:00 a.m., the course was challenging and well-marked, aid & water was where it was needed, volunteers were great, and the finish line had an assortment of tasty treats!

Overall, elite mountain runner Jon Clark edged Kevin Gillotti and Jason Perez, winning the 30K in 2:22:29 — averaging 8 minute miles over the demanding course. Among the women, Lisa Fink placed first, finishing in a time of 3:08:28. In the 14K, women took two out of the top three places, finishing first and third. Jen Todd was first in 1:15:22, followed by Karl Bowers and Meredith Davidson. Results and photos are available on the Bandit 30K/14K web site.

Many thanks to the Bandit Race Committee — Randy & Sarita Shoemaker, Larry Lee, and Todd Baker — and all the volunteers and sponsors for a great race! Also, thanks to Tommi Diaz for her photos of the 30K.

Here’s a Google Earth image, Google Earth KMZ file, and Cesium browser view  of my GPS trace of the course.

Update 12/09/10. The date of the 2011 Bandit 15K/30K is Sunday, February 20th. A 50K distance has been added!

The photo of runners on Rocky Peak Road is from a run in November 2007.

Some related posts: Bandit 30K Course Preview, Las Llajas Hill 2484, Running Rocky Peak Road, Chumash Trail Rocks & Snow

nature, nature|weather, photography, photography|trail running, running, trails, trails|smmc open space, weather, weather|southern california

Southern California Warming Up and Drying Out?

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Trail leading to Lasky Mesa at Ahmanson Ranch.

There are still a few rogue mud puddles out at Ahmanson ranch, but the Goldfields are blooming, the meadowlarks singing, and it feels like Spring!

Last week it looked like our rain season might not be over. Now I’m beginning to wonder. This week the GFS and ECMWF forecasts have been much drier in Southern California, with most of the activity focused on the Pacific Northwest. No significant rain is forecast here over the next week, and both the 6-10 and 8-14 day forecasts project below average precipitation in Southern California.

If these medium range forecasts are on the mark, March rainfall for Downtown Los Angeles (USC) will fall well below the 3.14 inch norm. Normal April rainfall is 0.83 inches, and May only 0.31 inches. Beyond March it becomes increasingly unlikely that a big rain event will significantly boost our rainfall total.

Since November 1, Downtown Los Angeles has recorded 8.80 inches of precipitation. This is about what would be expected during a La Nina, and within the range indicated in the composite precipitation map included in the post Southern California 2008-2009 Winter Precipitation Outlook, back in October.

In his March 6 post, Ed Berry suggested the possibility of “more energetic progressive troughs” in the western U.S in the week 2-3 timeframe. That wouldn’t necessarily result in rain in Southern California, but might improve our chances. Numerical weather model performance generally suffers during seasonal transitions, so maybe there are still some surprises lurking in the Pacific. We’ll see!