Backbone Ultra 2013

Joey Morrison on top of Eagle Rock during the 2013 Backbone Ultra

Joey “Threw it on the Ground” Morrison, who whole-heartily embraced the spirit of the Backbone games, was momentarily transformed into the iconic coyote runner while on the top of Eagle Rock.

The Coyote Backbone Trail Ultra was a phenomenal experience and a fantastic running event. The work required to pull it off is beyond comprehension. Many thanks to Chris Scott, Howard Cohen, Mike Epler, Gretchen Garrnet, Manley Klassen and everyone that helped make it happen — especially Lynette Brody (California State Parks) and Catharine Beverly Bishop (NPS). Also a BIG thanks to the aid station personnel, the safety crews, the EMTs, the communications staff, the trail sweeps and the huge number of volunteers that contributed to the event. The runners that I met along the way were exceptional people as well as superb athletes. I feel fortunate to have participated.

After Kanan I had to focus on getting from one aid station to the next, and finishing the run!

Here’s  an interactive, 3D terrain view of the 2013 Backbone Trail run from my GPS track.

Hikers on Calabasas Peak Motorway

Hikers on Calabasas Peak Motorway

The 1.6 mile hike (one way) from Stunt Road to the rocky overlook at the top of Calabasas Peak Motorway fire road is very popular and has some great views along the way. Some stretches of the road are steep, but there are also some moderate sections and even a short flat stretch to catch your breath.

The route gains about 800 vertical feet to the viewpoint. Although many turnaround here, even better views can be had from the nearby summit of Calabasas Peak. Continuing to the peak adds about a half-mile (round trip) and around 100′ of elevation gain.

From this afternoon’s run on the Secret Trail.

Some related posts: Calabasas Peak From Saddle Peak, Secret Trail Variations

Giant Coreopsis Along the La Jolla Canyon Trail

Giant Coreopsis Along the La Jolla Canyon Trail

If a sunflower could be crossed with a Joshua tree the result might look like Giant Coreopsis (Leptosyne gigantea).



As tall as six feet, this peculiar plant looks as if it belongs in some distant place, if not some distant time.

It is a member of the Sunflower family and its bright yellow flowers and feathery green leaves create impressive displays on Southern California coastal slopes following Winter rains. It is well-adapted to our Mediterranean climate, its leaves withering and the plant becoming dormant in the dry months.

These are along the La Jolla Canyon Trail in Pt. Mugu State Park and were photographed on Saturday’s run to Mugu Peak from Wendy Drive.

Comet PanSTARRS and the Crescent Moon

Comet PanSTARRS and the crescent moon from the Simi Hills, near Los Angeles

Did a night training run this evening in the Simi Hills, west of the San Fernando Valley, and combined it with photographing Comet PanSTARRS and the crescent moon with my normal running camera — a Panasonic Lumix LX7.

Since the comet is low on the western horizon and not very bright, it is a difficult object to photograph, and even more difficult to see with the naked eye.

I found a convenient pipe to use as a monopod and took some image sequences using the self-timer. This particular photo is from a single RAW format image shot at f/2.3 for 1 sec at ISO800 at the 35mm equivalent of 90mm.

Here’s a larger version of the image. The soft light on the face of the Moon above the crescent is earthsine — diffuse sunlight reflected from Earth.

The run was also fun. Saw and heard more poorwills and also encountered a mule deer. Didn’t see any coyotes, but certainly heard them.

Related post: Comet Holmes 17/P

Mountain Lion Tracks on Rocky Peak Road

Mountain Lion Tracks on Rocky Peak Road

Found these mountain lion tracks on Rocky Peak Road while doing the Chumash – Las Llajas loop this morning. The pattern of the tracks suggest the animal was walking.

Based on how soft the ground was at the time the tracks were made I’m going to guess they were probably put down sometime after 1:00 AM Friday morning, while the ground was still saturated from rainfall. This would make them about two days old.

Some related posts: It’s Raining Mountain Lion Tracks!, A Bear on Rocky Peak Road?