Borges Ranch to Castle Rock Park Run

Growing up in Walnut Creek I never really appreciated the trails I had until I moved away. I used to hate the variety of trails I could choose to run on. At the time it just seemed like there were too many options. Little did I know there was a figurative gold mine of trails situated just behind Northgate where I went to high school. Now whenever I come back home to visit, I make it a point to pick a new trail to run on everyday. Even after 10 or so years of running in Walnut Creek's Open Space, I still find new and exciting trails to run on. Walnut Creek Open Space offers over 18,000 acres of public lands; this isn't including Mt. Diablo State Park.

One of my favorite loops to run is called the Waterfall Run, because during heavy rain fall creeks that are adjacent to the downhill portion of the trail start to form small waterfalls. I like to start this run from Old Borges Ranch. There are several different trails you can take that will get you to Stage Road trail in Castle Rock Park. Generally I make the run into a 6 to 10 mile loop. I believe the loop shown in the above map is approximately 7 miles. Sometimes I like to take detours and explore the rock formations of Castle Rock Park. One of my favorite formations is 'Devil's Backbone' which is only about 1.5 miles from Borges Ranch.

'Devil's Backbone'

Here is a video that I made of the trail.

 

I took a detour and climbed up Castle Rock half way through my run. The trail offers some very scenic iconic views of California landscape.

- Trail Blazer

A trail is born

Running is one of the simplest activities you can participate in. In order to run all you need is a good pair of running shoes, some running shorts, a shirt, and the will to run. Actually all you really need is a good pair of shoes... however, society still frowns upon running around naked for some reason...

With that said, running is one of the most physically demanding activities one can participate in. It requires repetitive loading and unloading on the body over extended periods of time. It is an activity that is incredibly easy to become injured in. Some statistics say 60% of all runners get some sort of running related injuring every year!

With the prevalence of running related injuries so high, it's a wonder why anybody would want to participate in such a debilitating activity! Yet year after year, more and more runners hit to the sidewalks and trails.

But what for???

Good question! What is so special about running? What is in it for me? Besides sore muscles and blisters, running is THE BEST aerobic exercise you can participate in for overall health and fitness. With obesity claiming more and more lives each day, physical activity (and running) plays a crucial role in protecting ourselves from disease and death. I don't know about you, but I don't want to become another statistic. I don't want to become another obese individual clogging up the medicare system.

I want to stay healthy, happy, and fit... FOREVER!

So why have I started this blog? Why, that's another good question! Its obviously not because I'm the greatest writer in the world (or am I?... no, no I'm not). It's because I am a runner, and as a runner I know that the main reason I run (besides getting rippling 6-pack abs) is because I absolutely LOVE discovering new trails.

Discovering new trails is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. It's kind of like sex: It is amazing when it happens, only it doesn't happen very often (for some of us at least). Okay maybe its not like sex, but the sensation of finding a new trail is exhilarating and awakens something special inside us. It's that sense of adventure and excitement; the mystery whats about to come around the next corner. It brings out the inner child in all of us.

Finding new and amazing running trails is what I live for, and I want to share these runs and adventures with the world. I hope to inspire others to run and explore the world around them.

In this blog I will write about the different trails I encounter. I will also put up pictures and videos of these trails as well.

That is all for now. Till next time, keep running and keep trail blazing

- The Trail Blazer

Me filming a trail in Chico, CA