Tag / trail running

by KE6MT

W6/NC-516, Maguire Peaks

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Activation Date: 22 June 2017
Transport: Run/Hike Distance: 5.6 miles
Elev. gain: 1,400ft Time: 1.5 hours
Rig(s): FT-817 Band(s): 40m, 20m SSB
Antenna(s): Home-brew end-fed half-wave
Cell Service: Decent (T-Mobile)
Parking: Free, on side of road, near trailhead
Trailhead: Main Maguire Peaks trailhead, on Welch Road
Fees/Permits: Park fee, $5. Welch Rd permit, free. Not needed on weekdays.
Route: Maguire Peaks Trail, Maguire Peaks Loop Trail, Use Trail
Dogs: Yes, $2 fee on weekends  Toilet: No

I’ve done Maguire Peaks twice. Last time I did it has a normal hike (rather than a run). That was toward the end of last year. That trip was cold-ish (around 45F). This trip was the opposite.  Much of the southwestern United States is in the midst of a nasty heat wave. This includes Northern California. So I started early. Continue reading →

by KE6MT

W6/NC-268, Rocky Ridge — The Hard Way

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Activation Date: 17 June 2017
Transport: Run/Hike Distance: 10.5mi
Elev. gain: 2,700ft Time: 3 hours
Rig(s): FT-817 Band(s): 40m, 20m SSB
Antenna(s): Home-brew end-fed half-wave
Cell Service: Spotty (T-Mobile)
Parking: Free in paved lot at trailhead
Trailhead: Rancho Laguna Park – east side of park
Fees/Permits: EBMUD trail permit—I bought the 12-month permit
Route: Rancho Laguna Trail to Rocky Ridge Trail
Dogs: No Toilet: Near trailhead

I had originally planned on activating an as-yet unactivated summit this weekend. However, upon doing further research, I discovered there wasn’t a way to get to that summit on land open to the public. Perhaps I’ll write something about that in another post.  I still needed a summit require a 10-mile (or so) run with a decent amount of elevation, continuing my training for an upcoming trail race. So I hastily planned this interesting-looking summit an hour away from my house. Continue reading →

by KE6MT

W6/SC-261, Pinyon Peak (failed)

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Activation Date: 27 May 2017
Transport: Run/Hike Distance: 7.8 miles
Elev. gain: 2,200ft Time: 2.2 hours
Rig(s): VX-2R Band(s): 2m FM
Antenna(s): MFJ Long-ranger
Cell Service: Marginal (T-Mobile)
Parking: Free
Trailhead: Carmel Valley Ranch, Oak Pl Ln
Fees/Permits: None
Route: Huff n’ Puff, Snively’s Ridge trails
Dogs: Yes  Toilet: No

Pinyon Peak is an as-yet unactivated peak. I was in the area for the weekend, so it was calling to me. I decided to do this one as a trail run, since I needed to do one for training/exercise, and because the other route to Pinyon Peak looked a lot steeper.  My friends and family thought I was crazy for wanting to get up early to go run up hills when there were perfectly good beach trails nearby. What can I say? I’m a mountain man.

Continue reading →