ART doesn't always turn out

Trying to Design My Own A.R.T.

Sometimes Things Don't Go As Envisioned.

Ultramarathon #116 | FKT #003 - Arnold Rim Trail (ART)

My Personal Background of the Arnold Rim Trail (ART) 

I have known about the ART for about 4 years now ever since going to visit my in-laws place in Arnold for portion of our summer vacation back in 2021. Each year I have been lucky enough to make it work with remote work environment and join my wife & kids and come back each summer for a week in the July time frame. In 2021 I discovered the trail existed and ran a bit of it (the San Domingo section from Avery Rd to the Heliport). I fell in love with the trail remoteness and views out there for sure. I vowed to hopefully come back and run the full trail. The following year in 2022 there was some trail closures (due to some trail work) and thus I never even got out on the trail at all that year while in Arnold.  In 2023 I came to Arnold again to discover the trail had actually been lengthened officially from the Heliport (18.9 Mi) to a further southern point of the Fullen Rd trailhead (22.8 Mi). Due to having an upcoming race (Tahoe 200) within 2 weeks after our trip to Arnold in 2023 I did not attempt the out & back version of the ART. Instead, my long run was just the ART-reverse going from Fullen Rd all the way back to the start at the Logging Museum in Arnold. I submitted some updated route information to the Fastest Known Time website to include the newest trail extension from 18.5 to 22.8 Mi as that was not on there yet. I vowed to come back and set the FKT or give it a go the following year if I managed to get back again. 

2024 rolls around and we are back to Arnold for our week again in July! It was time....

My FKT attempt was definitely a tale of two distinct halves of my adventure. 

OUTBOUND - the First Half (0.0 - 22.8 Mi): smooth and steady

Taken just prior to setting off at the 0.0 Mi trailhead sign in
Arnold at the Logging Museum. Photo: Katie Meding.

Dropped off at the trailhead in the early hours about 40 minutes before true sunrise. My wife, Katie drove me the few miles from our place and documented my start with a couple pictures and a short video of me heading off. I officially started my out and back journey at 05:27 about 20 minutes before the sun was up. There was however enough light to see sufficiently without a headlamp. My pack was heavy enough with all the fluids I was carrying to not worry about another small item such as a head torch.

The outbound journey was pretty straightforward and uneventful (as planned). Climbing up to the highest peak of the route I was treated to the rising sun in the distance behind me which created a nice orange glow to the cloudy solo morning.  It was truly peaceful and fulfilling out there in the forest.

sunrise on my way up to Manuel Peak (4,445 ft+), the highest point on the ART route.
Taken at 06:18 just under an hour into the run.

After cresting the high point I followed the ridgeline admiring the vast views to my right. I paused briefly on the Top of the World took in the view and then made a strategic decision here to drop/place one of my 32oz electrolyte drinks here for the way back just to save some weight on my back. I found a nice log not far off the trail and placed my bottle underneath (foreshadow alert!). I continued onward passed Cougar Rock the followed the ART as it dipped back into the forested area which somewhat parallels Highway 4 between Arnold and Hathaway Pines.

Everything going smooth as I dropped down over Avery Sheep Ranch Road and into the San Domingo section towards the Heliport and ultimately the southern terminus of the ART (Fullen Rd). The morning thus far had provided overcast cloudy conditions, which was a huge change from the week as it had been sunny and low 90s in Arnold. I very much appreciated the cooler running conditions this day (foreshadow alert #2!). Looking across the Arnold rim has always been a pleasant sight as I am grateful to move through the Stanislaus National Forest and be able to do these type of activities.

Pointing out the Heliport pad (@18.9/22.8 Mi) in the distance across the Arnold rim.

Passing the Heliport I knew there was just under 4 miles to the end of the ART. I continued to move well even as the sun started to poke through the clouds at random short intervals. Luckily this final portion of trail is covered quite well inn shade from the tall surrounding trees of the forest. With just over a mile to go the trail finally stops descending down from the rim (again...) into the bottom where San Domingo Creek lies and then it is a steep 1.2 Mi climb back out to Fullen Rd and the current end of the ART route, where I would turn around. I made another strategic decision here; I took off my vest and splashed my face and neck with the cool creek waters. I took only 1 handheld and my phone (to document) with me for the last climb to the turnaround point. This would give my back a slight break of having to carry my pack before the journey back to Arnold. 

Half way @ Fullen Rd trailhead (22.8 Mi)

I arrived at the top of the rim hitting the Fullen Rd trailhead sign and marking my time at 05:09:35 to complete the first half of my out and back attempt. A short three and a half minute break was warranted as I had some dried fruit and gummies snacks. The sun was now strikingly hot as it pierced through the clouds to its full extent. I somehow had the feeling that my A-goal of 10 hours was not really in play since it was a net uphill back to the starting point. My thoughts remained optimistic through that perhaps a solid sub-11 was in the cards for today. 

INBOUND - the Second Half (22.8 - 45.6 Mi): wheels have fallen off

I left Fullen Rd heading back down to the San Domingo Creek to retrieve my vest and push onwards. My goal was to have my longer "halfway break" here in the shade and at the creek to cooldown (the 3.5 minute stop at the top was a simple photo op and snack break). For reference the starting temperature was about 73f in the morning at Arnold, 90f during my first crossing of San Domingo creek outbound, 95f at the turnaround point on Fullen Rd, and did reach a high point of 104f during my inbound journey according to my Garmin-STRAVA data. It felt all of that and more admis the rock backdrop of the rim wall in places.

At San Domingo Creek back at my vest I simply put my plan in place, sat down, organized my bottles drinks as I had pre-planned for the inward trek, got out my snack bags, took off my socks and shoes, and then lowly ate calories as I shuffled my lower body into the creek to lower my temperature. Luck was on my side as there were no mesquites present near the flowing creek at this time of day - a true blessing. I took a full 15 minute break here in the water fully submersed my legs and the occasional dunking of my full body to keep myself wet and cool.

After my break I thought it was sufficient time to cooldown and I certainly felt better, so I got up put my hydration vest back on and trudged forward. The next few miles were some of the hottest sections of the day as the Arnold Rim Trail winded back out of the trees onto more exposed portions of the trail with rock as the background to the piercing afternoon sun. Suddenly I felt super tired and drained only 5 Mi back on the inbound. I took 2 separate dirt trail naps in the shade because I felt my heart rate spiking in the heat and I had no other solution at the time. I could literally feel my time goal(s) slipping away quickly. My ART run was no becoming more about survival and simply getting the near 46 Mi journey completed altogether. There was another tiny creek that I had dipped my hat in on the way out that I saw had a spot big enough to sit in and submerged my legs again. This was around 31.8 Mi and I took time here to drastically cool my core temperature by soaking in the water - it helped a lot, but I was way behind my own expectations. Ultrarunning is a lot about overcoming adversity and simply pursuing forward progress even when things are not going your way on the day. My FKT attempt was now on this track.

Two things lie in front of me I was grasping onto to pull me towards the end of this run. First was the Cowell Creek crossing around marker 7.8 Mi. Secondly, the Top of the World peak where I had placed my 32oz bottle about marker 5.5 Mi was going to be refreshing and the hydration I needed to get me through.

This look basically sums up my inbound journey on the ART today.

Pressing on the shade of the trees again was a welcome brief relief from the peak heat of the afternoon even as the ambient temperature was still elevated. Finally reaching the creek with 8 miles to go I again took a few minutes and literally submerged my entire body in the small narrow creek. After a couple minutes of cooling down I felt my energy and draw of the finish rise again within me. I was able to move a little better and faster again after my dousing.  I only had a little bit of my water on me left so I was rationing it and timing it to reach the Top of the World and my last bottle.

I took another sip from my bottle shaking it to see how little was left. Not far now....almost to the peak....

I arrived up the little grind my Cougar Rock up to Top of the World. I took a v-line directly for where I had stashed my bottle on my outbound trip, anxiously awaiting to refill my 2 soft flasks which were essentially dried up now. Wait....what!?....where is my bottle??? I checked under the log I placed it and looked around close by but nothing, no empty bottle, no signs of anything. I sat down for a minute and had a big pity party as I starred into my soft flask with about 2 oz of fluid left - that was it. It was 90f and I was nearing dehydration already cutting it close on fluid consumption and really counting on this last 32 oz bottle on being here. At last it was not and I realized there was literally nothing I could do about it except press on and somehow grind it out. Super slow and steady I kept moving and paced myself with lots of walk/hike breaks trying not to over exert myself at this point. Time goals were all gone and now it was just about finishing up the ART and setting a time on the FKT board, even if it was a lot slower. I took tiny sips just to wet my lips every half mile or so, saving the little fluid I had. My mouth was starting to hurt from dryness.

I finally reached the paved portion of the path, which meant I just had the initial 0.8 Mi to go to the 0.0 Mi trailhead start. This was my sign to finish off my drink and get home! I passed a pair of backpackers (one of only a couple people I saw out there all day) as I managed to run a little back into the parking lot. I saw my van there as my wife was there awaiting to pick me up. I ran passed the trailhead sign, stopped took a quick pic of my watch, and promptly asked for water. I downed an entire single serve water bottle and asked for more. Two minutes of catching my breath then I took of my pack and chatted briefly with my wife while we went the 150 feet or so down to White Pines Lake where I grabbed a cold coke & Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic Run Wild IPA and went and sat in the water to cool down as I attempted to rehydrate. A short 15-20 minute soak and then I got out and dried off as we headed back to the cabin for a proper shower and cleanup. 

I had envisioned a grand piece of ART today, but it did not quite turn out the way I wanted. I was a full 3.5 hours behind my A-goal (10 hours) and 1.5 hours behind what I thought was the realistic goal (12 hours). The heat of the day had come out to play and spit me out. The thing about ultrarunning is you never know and just have to roll with what the day gives you. Time to recover and finish up my training block as I look forward to #AC100 in just under 3 weeks.

My Garmin showing my time (official stopped at 13:39:59) back in the Logging Museum parking lot.

My STRAVA route and splits.

Aftermath of my scratched-up legs from the rugged and less-used portions of the ART trail where wild thorny plants took over most of the singletrack. It was not as bad as the prior year in 2023 when I ran one-way ART route, however the thorns still persisted out there.

Arnold Rim Trail website: Arnold Rim Trail – Hiking, biking & horseback riding in Arnold, CA

Official FKT route link: Arnold Rim Trail (CA) | Fastest Known Time

My STRAVA link and data: Arnold Rim Trail (out & back) FKT, Arnold, CA | Run | Strava

Gear Used

• Shirts - rabbit SS rabbitELITEtrail team kit, rabbit LS UPF deflector 2.0 with hood
• Shorts - rabbit 5" shredders 2-in-1 trail
• Headwear - rabbit (rnnr) rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Shoes - ACSIS GEL-Trabuco 13
• Socks - DryMax
• Hydration - NATHAN Pinnacle 12L race pack with (x2) 20oz soft flasks, and also (x2) 18oz handheld soft flasks
• Watch - Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition
• Other - iPhone with Gaia GPS app (as a backup to my watch)

Final Thoughts on the ART

This is a very cool trail in a small mountain town. If you ever pass through the area or are up towards Lake Tahoe, the PCT (Ebett's Pass), or even just Bear Valley Ski Resort I would recommend the area for a day hike or run of the Arnold Rim Trail. There are many access points from the town where you can make short routes not having to do the trail from one end or the other. The ridge line which contains the high peaks (Manuel, Top of the World, and Cougar Rock) are such a great viewpoint to hike up to I would definitely recommend.

Overall, the ART is super well marked having proper (and new) signposts along the way and at every single junction. It would take a lot for someone to get lost or off-track as it is that simple to follow even if you have never been there. 

The southern section down passed Avery Sheep Ranch Road coming out of Avery, CA is quite remote and off-grid per say. You are no longer next to the town directly at this point and so your only way out is either end of the trail. This being said my favorite section is probably the San Domingo miles because of this remoteness and the vast views down the valley you get as you traverse multiple times up and down the rim itself. The heliport (18.9 Mi) is right next to Highway 4 as this used to be the end of the ART trail, but now continues on to Fullen Rd where it is super remote, and nothing is there at all except a trailhead sign along this lonely secondary back road. If you are starting or finishing here you will need to arrange a ride ahead of time. Also of note that I did not have cell service for majority of the entire trail, only small portions on the high points (I currently have AT&T provider). Might be a good idea to carry a Garmin InReach or similar satellite tracker for safety.

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Thanks for checking out my trip report and my ultra blog

Next: Angeles Crest Endurance Run 100 Mi (2024-Aug-03)

Franklin Trail (double) FKT

A Venture Into the FKT Realm of the Sport

Carpinteria, California | 2019-12-28

I rolled around restless unable to sleep and simultaneously disrupting my wife's night rest. I decided to get up earlier than my alarm since i was not resting anyhow and was careful not to wake the other 2 kids in our room (the trickiness of vacation sleeping arrangements). At least I saved them all from the annoying alarm sound, right? I gathered up my remaining gear that i had not already set out and started to pack up the van.

05:00

Now I started heading out the door to the trailhead. I got to the end of the neighborhood street and as I was going over to ensure I had everything in my head, double checking, I realized I had forgotten...my shoes! Turned around and came back to get those, since a mountain run in my flip flops would not go very well. Back on the road. After locating the Carpinteria high school which was only about 20 minute drive I pulled into the staff parking lot which only had one other lone car in the dark early hours. Based on the trail description the trail started here and wrapped around the school. After parking and getting out I quickly saw the saw sign indicating "Trail -->" right there at the edge of the parking lot. In fact there was 2 such signs one on either end of the staff parking lot. Thus the school sign was the perfect starting point as it was right in the middle of these signs, mere steps from the dirt and start of the trail which was fenced off from the school yard itself.

I spent a good amount of time in my van getting everything in my hydration pack and sticking it where i wanted. Gathered up my warmer items in prep for the brisk morning hours. I probably took nearly 40 minutes of just sitting there fiddling around and whatnot before I was actually ready to start out. This was somewhat on purpose as so I could start out without a headtorch and prevent having to carry that one extra item.

Sunrise was impending now and I did one last check. Tied my shoes and walked over to the school sign.

06:41

Selfie at starting point - Carpinteria High School sign. 06:41 | 44f

Out & Back #1

After my selfie photo for documentation, I was off, starting officially at 06:44 according to my watch (and confirmed by my STRAVA upload after). The first like 0.8 mi is a boring section that is like a dirt sidewalk that goes around the school and other facilities. Once past all of this the next 0.9 mi was very well used and windy singletrack that climbed to the first bench named Frank's Bench (clearly a local viewpoint).

Climbing above Carpinteria, CA. Taken at 07:21.

The trail is very well marked and opened up to a double wide jeep road type terrain from here until 5.2 mi. It is a more or less all uphill section with a few dips that did come back down briefly winding around a canyon corner only to climb higher on the other side. A good power hike to get the day going. At any potential intersection was a trail sign clearly marked (which even had mileage noted on them). This was very reassuring for someone who had not been here before. After following the double wide road up all the way to 5.2 mile. Here you need to turn sharply right and go up back on

5.2 mi turn marker. The main double wide trail is parallel to my chest in this
picture. This photo was taken at 14:18 on loop 2 to show the turn.

singletrack. The sign is small and not super obvious, however I recall this upon reading up on the trail prior. This is where I would consider the only tricky turn is on this side of the mountain. Of note, my GPS had the turn closer to 5.0 (but that's minor).  At this point you have ascended about 2,000 ft+ up. But this is where the it all begins in my opinion.

After entering this singletrack it was very well maintained and extremely user friendly. The steepness really got going. You can see this from the STRAVA segment someone has created called Franklin phase III ascent (2.57 mi | 2,042 ft+ | 15% avg. grade). But once at the peak the views are well earned and very expansive in all directions. I took a couple moments for sure here to enjoy the view while trying to locate the trail heading down the other side. Except I could not find the trail. I started to get frustrated. I wandered in both direction on the Divide Peak OHV trail at the top looking for the trail entrance. I could literally see the trail down below where I needed to go. Eventually I got tired of looking and decided to take the route I thought was most appropriate. It was somewhat bushwhacking and slow going, since it was off trail. But at last I made my way over to the trail. Once I stood on the actual trail again I looked up and saw it kept going back to where i was standing prior pondering how to get here. Trevor you idiot...that was stupid!

Explanation of my loop 1 mistake route finding.

Finally back on some trail and on track. From here I could see if was a long descent down into the canyon where I knew the lake wouldn't be far away, after all it is only 2.1 mi from peak. The trail is a little different on this side of the mountain as there is clearly less traffic. For the most part it was a straight forward route all the way until i discovered a small camp. Later I found this was named the Alder Creek Camp. A nice little spot basically in the middle of nowhere. There was a lot of overgrown brush and downed trees here. I had a little trouble navigated the trail along the creek and at times found on the opposite side starring at the trail literally 25 feet away from me as I was hoping a tree or skirting rocks. Again this navigational issue was easily fixed once I learned the entire route on the first full trip "out". I guess this is what happens when you on site something.

Rounding a bend in the canyon as I was up along the bank the trail was well above the creek at this point. I was concentrating on my footing so much I nearly didn't see how close I was to my end point - Jameson Lake. The far end of the Franklin Trail was now within reach. I recall glancing down at my watch and noticing I was already at the prescribed 9.2 mi distance of the trail. I was skeptical of the distance to begin as someone noted on AllTrails.com it was inaccurate. Once down to the very bottom of the canyon there was a lot of creek hoping beside an old gold mining site (or what appeared to be). There was a ton of downed trees here on the trail which was more or less recognizable again. Then all of a sudden the trail popped out onto a double track road which was about 0.3 mi long with a slight climb at the end. Here the road ended at a sign beside the lake. I recognized this all followed it down to the water edge - the boat launch. Took a quick photo and shot of my watch stats for documentation.

Jameson Lake boat launch (Out & Back #1). Taken at 09:40.

Garmin stats at turnaround. 25% complete. Again this had ~0.7 extra mileage.

Now I just looked up realized a nice 2,500 ft+ back to the divide peak lie ahead. Put my head down and headed back up the creek canyon slowly making my way. I did stop briefly at the camp and took a photo.

Alder Creek camp. Taken at 10:08.

This 2.1 mi back to the peak was definitely slow climb. Once I got back to the power line tower, and to where my route mistake was on the way down, I continued back on the actual trail and was extremely shocked at to where it emerged at the peak. It was literally 5 feet away from where I was standing looking for the dawn thing for what seemed like forever. I had a little joke to myself in my head about this but let it go, as these things happen in trail running.

The peak had some awesome views again as I stood there catching my breath from the climb. Then adjusted my pack and gear and was ready for the 7.9 mi down to the start (7.5 mi of this was literally downhill - loosing ~3,750ft within this stretch - STRAVA segment). I had a good section all the way back down consuming my remaining water in my soft flasks. I did stop to take some pictures of animal tracks I saw. At last I came back to school and rounded the fence-line back to the sign, where I pressed my lap button.

*This ended the Franklin Trail out & back 20.5 mi unsupported (05:03:19). I then self crewed myself and refilled my water in the parking lot. I had enough gels & chews with me so I was good on that front. The only other thing I did was sit for a couple minutes and roll out my legs. I got back up and walked over to the high school sign and pressed my lap button once more to capture the interloop time precisely. I was off.

Garmin stats back at the trailhead/school sign. 50% complete. | Out & Back #1 Complete.

Out & Back #2

I had a moment of doubt sitting at the start wondering if I should just call it a day since the route was a lot harder effort than I had in my head. My grit got the better of me and I was on my way back up in no time. I only spent just over 10 minutes in the parking lot. At this point just after noon there were so many people out hiking, biking, and just wandering these lower trails. I noticed a lot of people looking at me oddly as they probably realized I passed them going down and now was power hiking going back up like some sort of mad man (which aren't we as ultrarunners in a sense?).

The long grind to the top seemed like an extra long venture this time around, even though in reality the splits were not all that different. Once I got to the peak I took no time at all to continue onto the trail where I had previously messed up on loop 1. My legs were feelings the miles at this point and the descent down the other side was slower going. I was already dreading the climb back out as I got closer and closer to the lake.

An old gold mining site? A cool thing to find along side the trail.  You have to transverse under and around this structure to follow the Franklin Trail. It is only about 0.4 mi from Jameson Lake at the bottom end of the route. Taken at 14:51.

Jameson Lake boat launch (Out & Back #2). Taken at 15:01.

Garmin stats at turnaround. 75% complete (50 km done).

Old truck way out in the bush near Jameson Lake.

Once again I put my head down and started marching back towards the peak. My legs were actually starting to get minor cramps at this point. No big deal I just took gels a little more often to help keep this issue away, which it did. I knew my pace was super slow, but I also knew once I reached the top I would be done like 98% of my total climbing for the day. It was also daunting to know I had the major quad buster section to run down all the way to finish off the day. At the peak again I took a moment catch my breath and adjusted my gear for what I hoped was a fast-ish descent. I took off racing the sun.

Chasing the sunset over Carpinteria. About 5 km to go at this point as the sun was going over the horizon of the ocean. Taken at 17:02.

I pushed the best I could all the way to the finish. The darkness was creeping in every step now. Rounded the school fence and got my phone out to document the finish.

Garmin stats as I touched the sign to end the Franklin Trail - double out & back.
100% complete. Taken at 17:32.

Walked over to my van which was about 100 steps away and started shedding my damp stinky gear. I took a moment for myself and just realized what I did. This reflection allowed me to be proud of my effort, even though it was more than I initially thought when picking this route. This would be my 50th ultra distance

Stats

My STRAVA results and overview can be found here: https://www.strava.com/activities/2964026208

A total of 10.25 mi each way on the Franklin Trail results in:

• 20.5 mi, 6,500 ft+ for the single out & back, and 
• 41.0 mi, 13,000ft+ for the double out & back.
• I posted a comment on AllTrails.com to provide feedback on the distance discrepancy

I created a STRAVA segment (Franklin Trail out & back) of the entire round-trip for FKT purposes and so it has visibility for any other potential route runners.

• At time of this blog post my time is still only one synced as completing the entire out & back, leading me to believe mine might be the Fastest Known Time for the single as well.
• NOTE: only my loop 2 shows up due to my route finding experience on loop 1. I guess STRAVA's algorithm did not allow my loop 1 to make the cut with all my extra little mileage boo boos.

My Garmin finished reading:

• 41.77 mi  (basically bang on! *recall it includes the 0.7 mi  I was route finding on loop 1)
• 12,986 ft + (and 12,986 ft descent)
• 10:47:43 total elapsed time (see below)
• 4,210 calories burned

Franklin Trail (double out & back) -- elevation vs mileage profile 

I did not encounter much wildlife on the trail itself: x1 squirrel, a bunch of hawks flying above, x2 small rabbits, a few ducks at the lake. But here is the collection of photos of my wildlife trace evidence out there on the Franklin Trail:

The Franklin Trail Fastest Known Time (FKT) can be viewed here: https://fastestknowntime.com/route/franklin-trail-ca. I am hoping my double (and potentially single) out & back attempts gets validated with verification in part due to this trip report.

Gear Used

Sitting on back of my van with my Victory Sportdesign gear bags
getting ready to set off just before sunrise. Taken at 06:11.

• Gear Bags: Victory Sportdesign - all my gear was in my Victory bags and it was all neatly organized in the various compartments these bags offer
• Jackets: rabbit vest, rabbit elements light jacket - did not use
• Shirts: rabbit long sleeve (rabbitELITEtrail edition)
• Shorts: rabbit smooth operator 7"
• Shoes: Altra Running TIMP 1.5
• Socks: Drymax Socks 1 pair (Speedgoat edition), Zensah compression calf sleeves (lego block edition)
• Headwear: Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT) endurance cap
• Sunglasses: goodr (TROT edition)
• Watch: Garmin Fenix 3 HR
• Headlamp: NathanSports Inc Halo Fire - did not use
• Hydration: Nathan Sports Inc VaporKrar 2.0 12L | 1.6L bladder & (x2) 20oz soft flasks
• Other: rabbit (BOCO) gloves, x3 headwrap/buffs, Columbia beenie - did not use
• Anti Friction: Trail Toes - applied once at beginning of day
• Nutrition: GU gels (x10) and chews (x1 pack) & water (about 3.0 L (100 oz) total)

Lessons Learned

Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempts are fun way to adventure and enjoy a route. I personally love the adventure of new scenery and trails and so this effort worked out perfectly for me to squeeze in on my vacation. Even though this was a very hard and tough day I am super happy to have accomplished the double out & back. I know for sure there is time to be bested here, but at least I can put a number on the board for someone to go after. If you have any questions on this route or my run, please reach out.

Thank you to my wife and my kids for allowing me to sneak away for the day to complete this adventure. Thank you to my sponsors for the continued support. Thank you to the friends of Franklin Trail and everyone involved in maintaining this route as it was in great shape, and litter free. I imagine I may be back on my future visits to the Santa Barbara area, although maybe for a shorter run next time.