My plan is to just hike the guadalupe until i know what to expect, then, on subsequent trips, run when it's not real steep up, or down. I've done the first 4 miles or so of that hike, and about 2 miles into the trail, it starts getting steep, but you know how it goes: you start feeling good and first thing you know, you're running. Probably take the same approach on all the longer stuff that i've not yet done. Years ago, before i left the valley, we'd run all the way from hwy 74 near the Sugar Loaf cafe back to Cathedral City on what we called Dunn Road. Could probably run the whole thing now, too, but won't know until i've seen it again. I run most of the Lykken trail out and back, except for the steep switch backs at each end. Maybe 15 or 20% of the Bump & Grind on the way up, and all of it down. Like my grandpa used to say, i'm not ready to kick the bucket yet, but i ain't no spring chicken either...
) Thanks for the welcome.