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

Boney Mountain – Big Sycamore Canyon Circuit – Coyote Trail Variation

first published & last updated
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It’s fun to link together several trails into a loop, and it’s even more fun when the trails are single-track, or at least have a single-track flavor. The Boney Mountain – Big Sycamore Canyon circuit links together segments of more than ten trails and roads in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and Pt. Mugu State Park. The route is characterized by airy ridges, steep climbs, wide-ranging views, towering rock formations, and one of the best downhill running segments in the Santa Monica Mountains. Today’s run expanded the loop, adding even more single-track trail — and elevation gain.

This route also climbs over Boney Mountain and descends the Chamberlain Trail segment of the Backbone Trail. However, at the Old Boney Trail junction, instead of descending to the Danielson multi-use area on the Old Boney Trail (northbound) and Blue Canyon Trail, this route follows the Old Boney Trail (westbound) to Sycamore Canyon Fire Road.

From the junction of the Old Boney Trail with the Sycamore Canyon Fire Road the goal is to hook up with the Coyote Trail, which can be seen switchbacking steeply up a slope on the other side of the canyon. We did this by continuing about 0.5 mile down Sycamore Canyon Fire Road, and then turning right on Wood Canyon Fire Road. The Two Foxes Trail starts a short distance up the fire road, and in about 0.4 mile leads to the start of the Coyote Trail. Once on the Coyote Trail it is about 2.3 tough — and often hot — miles to the start of the Hidden Pond Trail at Ranch Center Road. The rest of the route is the same as in the Boney Mountain – Big Sycamore Canyon circuit.

All in all the course is about 21 miles long, with 4000 ft. of elevation gain/loss. Here’s a Google Earth image and Google Earth KMZ file of a GPS trace of the route.

nature, photography, photography|landscape

Downed Trees Near Mt. Abel

published
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Area of downed trees near the Cerro Noroeste road on the way to Mt. Abel.

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.

nature, nature|wildlife

King of the Hill

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Large buck with a doe in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahmanson Ranch).

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.

running, running|gear

Salomon SpeedComp Trail Running Shoe

first published & last updated
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Salomon SpeedComp trail running shoe

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.


Soles of the Salomon SpeedComp (front) and SpeedCross 2.
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

Photography and inspiration from running and other adventures in the Open Space and Wilderness areas of California, and beyond. No ads. All content, including photography, is Copyright © 2006-2024 Gary Valle. All Rights Reserved.