CAR WRECK TRAIL OPENS!

A ribbon cutting ceremony opened CAR WRECK bike/hike trail in Aliso Wilderness Park on Sunday Aug 15th. Daughter Leah and I trekked in by foot, meeting up with an anxious group of mountain bikers, ready to take their chances to make it to the bottom (or not!) legally! I love grand openings and when it's in nature so much the better! Ranger Ed gave a heartfelt speech and thanked some important contributors that assisted in getting Car Wreck ready for traffic! Father and son, David and David, sat ready on their bike seats, shoes in pedals, anxious to roll on down.....the atmosphere was ...well....exciting! Ranger Ed was handed the giant scissors and with just a snip, another bike trail was born to a happy applause and lots of photo taking!
Trail assistant Ed Bederov was on hand to witness the party and direct the many bikers "thataway". My friends and fellow mtn bking partners, Al Patterson, Steve Villmer and Dave Paul, came rolling down and up Mathis to be part of the big celebration. Whoopee!
Leah and myself, well, we waited a bit for the bikers to head down the trail then we took our turn and ran down the hill, stepping aside as bikers followed after us, trying not to lose their breakfast on the many rock gardens, very steep drops with not much room for wrong turns.
And yes, at the very bottom IS a car wreck...and believe me, if you don't know how to work your brakes, this ride can turn into a BIKE WRECK........only for the brave ones....or crazies.....but then again ...I guess that's why I LOVE MOUNTAIN BIKING!

Laguna Wilderness Park, again

Back we went to perhaps our most favorite hiking spot, Laguna Wilderness off Laguna Canyon Rd. Each time I return the hike is so enjoyable and I notice something new waiting for me. The assoc. has recently installed guideposts at different points of interest with a tele. # to phone in and receive a recorded message on what you are seeing. I called in on the sight looking over the huge boulders on the left side of the trail as you pass through the first meadow. I learned that the big hole in the rock was caused by a firestorm that swept through the park soon after it was opened to the public in 1993. The fire was so hot it cracked open the boulder and a huge piece broke away.

Interesting! There were perhaps 5-6 guideposts along the way. What a clever idea !
Today I climbed up in a tree..and why not! Spain found another mylar balloon...it's amazing how those things find their way to wilderness.....so he flattened it out by stepping on it and hiked it out to the trash. Lizard kept getting my attention today so he ended up on my blog. He was so patient posing for his photo.