I had a fantastic time at PCTR’s Big Basin Redwoods Trail Runs. Big Basin is one of my favorite parks so I was looking forward to this event. The weather was toasty and humid with temps at higher elevations starting at over 80 degrees at dawn only to get warmer as the sun rose. In…
Humboldt Redwoods
While Serena was running on the Avenue of the Giants, I took the opportunity to run on some single track amongst the giant redwoods. I chose the Bull Creek Trail North. This generally parallels Mattole Road where the race was taking place, but you can’t see or hear the road most of the way since…
Serena’s Avenue of the Giants Marathon
Serena ran The Avenue of the Giants Marathon on Sunday running a 3:57:29 for her first marathon. This road marathon is in a truly gorgeous setting of old growth redwoods. There is also a half marathon and a 10k option for those looking for a shorter distance. Serena felt good and came through around 1:56…
2009 Skyline to the Sea 50k
Another fantastic day on the Skyline to the Sea Trail with PCTR! I ran 28 seconds faster than my time last September finishing in 3:38:05. The amazingly narrow margin between the two performances is thanks to some tight and spasmy hamstrings in the last 7 miles that hampered plans to open it up for the…
Map of Big Basin Loops
Big Basin State Park is one of the best places for trail running in the Bay Area. The park is most recognized for its spectacular ancient redwoods, but the 18,000+ acre park also features an expansive wilderness with several beautiful waterfalls and gorgeous vistas of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Pacific Ocean. I have run…
Westridge Loop – Big Basin
I saw the West Ridge from the McCrary Ridge-Howard King Trail loop I did a couple weeks ago and really wanted to come back to run it. I was expecting a moderately steep climb up to a ridge followed by 5 miles of easier running on top of the ridge to Chalk Mountain. I got…
Point Reyes – Headlands
After the trail run through Bear Valley, we drove to the northern portion of Point Reyes National Seashore, which is drastically different from the southern portion. There is no forest and the hills are much smaller. A significant portion of the area near Drakes Bay is a saltwater estuary and marsh. At over 10 miles…
Point Reyes – Bear Valley & Arch Rock
With the great weather continuing into Sunday, Serena and I drove to Point Reyes for some trail running and sightseeing. For the trail run, we decided to do the Bear Valley Trail to Arch Rock. This is perhaps the most popular hike in the park with relatively little elevation on a wide and pleasant pathway…
Pescadero State Beach
After a quick stop at Arcangeli’s Bakery in Pescadero to get some of the famous hot artichoke garlic bread, we went to Pescadero Beach for a picnic and enjoyed the sunshine.
Waddell Beach and Big Basin
Serena and I enjoyed a sunny and warm spring day at Waddell Beach and Big Basin State Park. We began with a trail run along the Skyline to the Sea Trail, travelling through lush meadows in full bloom and then redwood forest. I continued up the McCrary Ridge trail, which climbs steeply (very steeply in…
Leor Pantilat's Adventures