The Life And Times Of Lou, The Smiling Tortoise: Etiwanda Preserve

"The Blog Almost Too Boring To Be The Most Boring Blog in America ... for Over 5 Years!"

until it got too many red cards from Wounded Duck and the Boredom Enforcement Committee ... now the tortoise's goal is to get to 10 red cards so he can get Big Dog to drive down and take a good long walk with the tortoise

P. S. This blog listens to its readers. We have the Benjamin Category Override for 5+ mile walks and now, it humbles Tortoise to say he has been named "Lou", by Doug Jr, in memory of Mr. Consistency himself, Lou Gehrig. Tortoise can hardly type the words to think he is in any way comparable to the noble Iron Horse. Thank you!

Showing posts with label Etiwanda Preserve. Show all posts

Friday, February 5, 2016

16-36

Mile 85. Tortoise returned to the North Etiwanda Preserve this clear, warm, windy morning before beginning his appointments. Almost a year ago to the day, Lou discovered this fine place. The wind blew away most of the smog in the valley, so Lou was treated to especially nice views. The snow dusted mountain at the top of the picture is Cucamonga Peak, which is a little over 8,800 feet and a couple peaks over from Mt. Baldy, where, sadly, a hiker fell to his death a few days ago on the Devil's Backbone portion of that trail. One can't be too careful when treading one icy, slippery ground. Thankfully, today's path, though nearby, is more than 6,000 feet lower and dry. Just in case you, dear reader, was worried about our friend Lou venturing nearby.

There's the day's walking thought by Jeffrey Holland and some more pictures waiting for you when you click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

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Mile 98. Tortoise discovered the North Etiwanda Preserve on a beautiful afternoon today. It's easy to find, just take the Day Creek exit 61 off the 210 freeway and head uphill until it ends at Etiwanda Avenue. Turn left and in a short distance Etiwanda Avenue ends in a gravel parking lot for the preserve. There are several trails available here. The main trail is a loop that Lou completed in 4.29 miles including a few picture-taking detours along the way and a nice steady hill to climb. The good doctor would approve!

For more on this walk, including lots of pictures and today's walking thought by Bruce D. Porter, please click below to continue reading ...

Cheerio!

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Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Segments Hiked

Total lifetime PCT miles hiked: 205.0 out of the 2,650 total.

From 1966 to 1969 segment Tortoise hiked the portion of the PCT shared by the John Muir Trail, covering PCT miles 767.0 to 942.5 (175.5 miles). (While hiking the full 211 miles of the Muir Trail from Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mt. Whitney)

Tortoise then embarked on a long career at a desk, interrupted momentarily for a day hike in 1988 up Mt. Baden-Powell as a Varsity Boy Scout coach with his team. That took him from PCT miles 374.0 to 377.9, roundtrip. (There was also a second trip from Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney with the Varsity Boy Scouts in 1989. He barely made it, crying with joy and appreciation when he did. That is a story all of its own).

He returned many years later with these walks. Please click on the date for a link to that day's blog post:

June 14, 2012, hiked PCT miles 565.0 to 566.6 (1.6 miles) on both sides of California Highway 58 at the Cameron Road exit.

October 20, 2012, hiked PCT miles 341 to 342 (1 miles) mostly on the east side of Interstate 15 but also under the storm runoff tunnel just south of the exit to California Highway 138 near Cajon Pass.

February 2013, continued in two segments to do miles 342 to 347 (5 miles).

August 13, 2013, hiked miles 374.2 to 376.6 roundtrip from Vincent Gap trailhead at milepost 74.7 on California highway 2.

February 17, 2015, hiked miles 452.9 to 450.4 roundtrip from Vasquez Rocks Picnic Area.

March 16, 2015, hiked miles 341.9 to 340.2 southbound from Cajon Pass Road, then returned. Partial redo of October 20, 2012 walk ... plus a little more.

April 3, 2015, hiked miles 1089.8 to 1091.9 roundtrip from Echo Summit trailhead to near Echo Lake.

May 12, 2016, hiked miles 206.8 to 204.3 southbound from the Snow Canyon Road gate at the bottom of Mt. San Jacinto, then returned.

August 17, 2016, hiked miles 209.5 to 206.8 southbound from the underpass at Interstate 10 Exit 110 to Snow Creek, then returned.

May 26, 2017, hiked miles 369.4 to 364.4 southbound from the Inspiration Point trailhead on California Highway 2, then returned.

The tortoise may eventually set some kind of record for the longest time to complete the PCT in microsegments. You never know, but we're already at 51 years and counting since his first segment from Onion Valley to Taboose Pass in July 1966 :-)

Friday, February 5, 2016

16-36

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

15-34