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Valley Village, California
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Published On: Oct 08, 2008 10:46 PM
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Published On: Oct 08, 2008 10:46 PM
La Jolla Canyon Hike; New Bike Gear
Busy day today...
For my weekly walk, I went up into La Jolla
Canyon, in Point Mugu State Park today. I had hoped to do the entire 6-mile loop
through the upper valley, or at least get as far as the pond, but my knees gave
out at about 1.5 miles.
I did get past the waterfall, though. At least, I got past where the waterfall used to be; there's no water in it now, due to the drought. That was disappointing; even in dry years, there's usually at least a trickle all summer. We really need a few wet years in a row here.
After the waterfall, the trail becomes much steeper, with several switchbacks, and some bare rock. I had my trekking poles with me, which helped a lot, but on a trail this steep I'm afraid I need both poles and also knee braces. I had gotten past the most challenging bare rock section, and was in a wooded section with lots of underbrush. The drought has had one positive effect; all the poison oak leaves are turning red prematurely, and so are easy to spot. I was looking forward to a steady climb up to the pond, but my knees said, "Time to stop now," and my stomach chimed in with, "Oh good! Time for lunch." So I sat down on a convenient flat rock right in the turn of a switchback and had a nice lunch conversation with a local lizard. The lizard didn't say much, but was a good listener.
After this break, I started back down. If you've got bad knees, down is worse than up. I was VERY glad to get back below the waterfall area.
I refuse to wear my old neoprene brace for my left knee; it's way too hot for summer hiking. I'll shop this weekend for a lighter-weight alternative. I have a patella support for my right knee somewhere in the garage; I'll locate it before I do this again.
As it's my birthday today, I bought myself a gel saddle for my bicycle, and a rear-view mirror for my helmet. The saddle is supposedly designed for women; on a brief tryout ride, it was indeed MUCH more comfortable than the saddle my bike came with.
I did get past the waterfall, though. At least, I got past where the waterfall used to be; there's no water in it now, due to the drought. That was disappointing; even in dry years, there's usually at least a trickle all summer. We really need a few wet years in a row here.
After the waterfall, the trail becomes much steeper, with several switchbacks, and some bare rock. I had my trekking poles with me, which helped a lot, but on a trail this steep I'm afraid I need both poles and also knee braces. I had gotten past the most challenging bare rock section, and was in a wooded section with lots of underbrush. The drought has had one positive effect; all the poison oak leaves are turning red prematurely, and so are easy to spot. I was looking forward to a steady climb up to the pond, but my knees said, "Time to stop now," and my stomach chimed in with, "Oh good! Time for lunch." So I sat down on a convenient flat rock right in the turn of a switchback and had a nice lunch conversation with a local lizard. The lizard didn't say much, but was a good listener.
After this break, I started back down. If you've got bad knees, down is worse than up. I was VERY glad to get back below the waterfall area.
I refuse to wear my old neoprene brace for my left knee; it's way too hot for summer hiking. I'll shop this weekend for a lighter-weight alternative. I have a patella support for my right knee somewhere in the garage; I'll locate it before I do this again.
As it's my birthday today, I bought myself a gel saddle for my bicycle, and a rear-view mirror for my helmet. The saddle is supposedly designed for women; on a brief tryout ride, it was indeed MUCH more comfortable than the saddle my bike came with.
Posted: Fri - July 9, 2004 at 10:33 PM | | | | |