Weekend hiking plans?

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Where are people hiking this weekend (August 23-23)? I'm still nursing some blisters from backpacking part of the JMT but look forward to seeing my San Jacinto hiking friends soon.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[zippetydude]

My schedule has been horribly unpredictable lately - I did the lollipop loop on San G on Sunday morning - first good, long run in over a month. I better get my lazy old carcass in gear if I'm going to be in shape for the November 7th Suffer-a-thon.

If I get to go this weekend, it'd probably be something in the San G area. This fall I hope we can all get together on a Whitewater and/or Snow Creek PCT run/hike. Not so steep, and wonderful trails when the weather is cool.

How about you, any specific trail in mind this weekend?

z

ps I've got a nutrition/physiology question for you. Check your pm.

[magikwalt]

I got spoiled hiking under trees in 70º temps. Since then I have been a slug in the desert heat. Went on a few short ones but nothing long. I may try sneaking over to San G this weekend and doing the same hike we did for Z's get together.

[tinaballina]

Walt, i just did san bernardino peak this past saturday, beautiful trail, just a rough drive in.
it was actually cold at the peak, in august...

Zip, when i get home i will check to see if i have a vivian permit for saturday, its 50/50, i can't remember when i got them until. if so i will fax it to you if you like, i have a hair appt. satur. not sure if they opened the trail head, i keep hearing mixed things.

Ellen, good having lunch with you. this weekend-after hair appt. might do echo mountain, sunday doing: register ridge to baldy pine and dawson.

[Ellen]

Howdy Walt

Please let me know if you're doing the San Bernardino peak hike this weekend (day and start time) -- would love to hike with you and any other hiking fool from this board

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[James]

I'm going to call tomorrow to see if there are any Vivian Creek passes available for Saturday although I think the odds are slim to none. If not maybe that lollipop loop but not running just hiking. But it would be tempting to bring the running shoes.

Zip, did you really run that loop? Wow, that is almost marathon distance and with the gain, harder than a marathon. It's been many years since I've run that kind of distance but that was on pavement. Now just short trail runs but nothing that incredible distance and elevation gain.

Do you or the other runners our there have tips for re-training legs for that kind of run? Without blowing out both calf muscles of course.

Thanks.

James

[zippetydude]

Hi James. Thanks for the kind words, but it's really a bit shorter than you're thinking. I have heard that GPS shortens distances due to switchbacks and such - I'm not convinced. The lollipop is only 20.85 miles according to my GPS, and that sounds about right to me. It's very nicely graded, and any really rocky stuff I don't run.

The best advice I've heard came from a trailrunner after a run to the wilderness boundary, all of 2 miles, had almost killed me outright. He said, "When you're new, refuse to run uphill. Run only on the flats and downhills, and then slowly add in uphill, little by little, as it becomes more natural. " That helped a ton.

If you already hike, sneak in just a little jog on the downhills where the trail is smooth and clear. Then, once that's comfortable, try running when it's level, and later (much later) when it's mild uphill. Steep uphill will be faster hiking than running - it's simply more efficient.

(Incidentally, I took up trailrunning because I missed the wilderness, but didn't want to lose entire days with my family each weekend. This allows me the best of both worlds. I especially like the fact that I no longer feel guilty when I leave my family (they're still asleep on Saturday morning at 5:00 a.m.), nor do I feel disappointed when I leave the peak. I know I'll be back next weekend!

I'm a minimalist when it comes to equipment, which fits the trailrunning as well. I carry only a hip pack (easier to run with than a backpack) and drink straight from streams, lakes, and springs (no filter to carry) so that makes it easier. I do carry a PLB just in case of an accident.

Hope this long, boring response doesn't scare you off! See you out there one of these fine autumn days...

z

[FIGHT ON]

Hi James. Thanks for the kind words, but it's really a bit shorter than you're thinking. I have heard that GPS shortens distances due to switchbacks and such - I'm not convinced. The lollipop is only 20.85 miles according to my GPS, and that sounds about right to me. It's very nicely graded, and any really rocky stuff I don't run.

The best advice I've heard came from a trailrunner after a run to the wilderness boundary, all of 2 miles, had almost killed me outright. He said, "When you're new, refuse to run uphill. Run only on the flats and downhills, and then slowly add in uphill, little by little, as it becomes more natural. " That helped a ton.

If you already hike, sneak in just a little jog on the downhills where the trail is smooth and clear. Then, once that's comfortable, try running when it's level, and later (much later) when it's mild uphill. Steep uphill will be faster hiking than running - it's simply more efficient.

(Incidentally, I took up trailrunning because I missed the wilderness, but didn't want to lose entire days with my family each weekend. This allows me the best of both worlds. I especially like the fact that I no longer feel guilty when I leave my family (they're still asleep on Saturday morning at 5:00 a.m.), nor do I feel disappointed when I leave the peak. I know I'll be back next weekend!

I'm a minimalist when it comes to equipment, which fits the trailrunning as well. I carry only a hip pack (easier to run with than a backpack) and drink straight from streams, lakes, and springs (no filter to carry) so that makes it easier. I do carry a PLB just in case of an accident.

Hope this long, boring response doesn't scare you off! See you out there one of these fine autumn days...

z

pretty cool stuff!

[James]

Zip, Great advice, thank you!

[Blooty]

Going to the Palisades. Making a "churn and burn" run. Last weekend the rangers said the bears are really having parties out of Onion Valley Trailhead, so till something is cleaned up there, keep that in mind if Onion Valley is on your radar.