TR: 14 Mile Trail run in the Ohlone Wilderness- to Murietta Falls

Last Friday night, Earl and I visited my Aunt and Uncle, who our our happy surprise prepared a nice pasta and meatball dinner. Mmm, mmm! I needed the carbs, as I was heading out on a 14 mile TOUGH trail run the next morning at 5:30 (aye!) am.

The Ohlone Wilderness Trail is a *very* rural trail which runs from Del Valle Park to Mission Peak Park. You actually have to hike to get into the park- from another park. From there it’s a 6-mile run to get to the waterfall and LOTS of climbing and descents. 5000 feet of vertical in total. “5000 feet of vertical” didn’t sound like all that much when I was planning the run, but when I was actually doing it- oof!

Linus and I woke up at 5:30am, ate some oatmeal, and headed to Del Valle park to begin the punishment. Earl hung out at my Aunt’s house sleeping in, reading math, and helping fix my Uncle’s computer while I ran. My faithful sidekick on our way there.

Pulling into Del Valle Park. Lots of boaters come for Lake Del Valle, and they are having propeller inspections due to invasive mussel species in the lakes. For the route to Murietta Falls, you have to register with the Park Rangers to head into the Ohlone Wilderness- and pay $2 for a wilderness permit. When I told him where we were heading, the ranger exclaimed, “hooo-ey! Ya know whatcher gettin into, right?” I laughed and smiled as a response, but really began to wonder what exactly we were in for.

Now, the hike/run to the falls is 12 miles, but I was slated to do 14 for training. So we actually parked on the far side of the lake where boats were getting inspected to launch. This added a mile each way. We got set at the car and began our run. The first few miles of this are up, up, and up.
I love this shot of Linus looking like he is about to jump straight off the ridge.

Leaving Del Valle Park, you must register (sign in) at the Ohlone Wilderness Board. This board not only had SPIDER warnings all over it (and mountain lion warnings), but look at these spiders that were actually *in* the board. Gah!

Nice view of the trail we were following

and the first wildflower spotting of the day

Linus, at this point, had TONS of energy. Because I was jogging, I think he thought we were playing chase or something. He would BOLT up the trail about 30 feet, turn around, and BOLT back to me. I was bemused, but also thinking “you are going to regret this later, buddy.” All in all- I ran 14; Linus probably did 20!

The view we are rewarded with on our way up to Rocky Ridge (2246 ft). You can see Lake Del Valle, where we started.

I’m 70% sure that’s the town of Livermore and then Mt. Diablo there in the distance.

More up! On the way up, I am huffing and puffing big time because I am still trying to run, despite the steep grade. What, ho, are those big objects off in the distance? Well, normally I would be scared at first at the big mystery looming objects, but I read Kevin Gong’s Murietta hiking report, and knew he had encountered more than a few grazing cows during his multiple hikes through the region. So I was prepared for these bad boys, and excited to tell them to MOOOOOve on outta our way!

Linus was PSYCHED to see the cows. His ears perked right up and he trotted faster trying to “catch” them. They moved surprisingly fast for cows! Despite my jogging and Linus trotting, they stayed about 30 feet ahead of us the entire time. Here is Linus going after them. (Granted I was jogging very slow!)

Then it was down, down, down into Williams Gulch, to pass over this stream. This is *not* Murietta Falls, although the bubbling creek bed did have a few minor falls.

Leaving Williams Gulch, it’s up, up, up again- this time to summit at Schlieper Rock.  According to Neal Mishalov’s trip report (his report boasts far superior photos than mine, btw), Schlieper rock was “named after Fred Schlieper, a silversmith at the Rowell Ranch Saddlery in the 1940′s.”  And here I was thinking it was named because it was such an epic schlep to get to the rock!  The path leaving Williams Gulch is so steep it is (IMO properly) named “Big Burn.” I was HURTING at this point and had to walk the majority of this particular ascent. I was rewarded with this great views on the way up. If you look to the middle left of this photo, you can see the path we’ve been following.

Finally, Johnny’s Pond! When you hit Johnny’s Pond, you know you are close, because that is where you turn off the Ohlone Wilderness Trail to get to the falls. I have to admit, I was super GLAD to get to this turnoff!

Interesting rotted out old tree, with quite a view in the background

The land close to the falls is “prairie dog country.” This is also spelled as H-E-A-V-E-N to our silly short legged dogster.  I think he likens himself a Jack Russel, for he would like nothing better than to be lowered down them there holes to hava go at the offending varmints. No hole went uninvestigated! He gleefully darted from hole to hole, shoving his face down every single one he could find. One of these times (and I am almost hoping this happens to teach him a lesson) there is going to be a big, fat, ornery prairie dog in the hole just waiting to bite him right on the kisser.

Finally at the falls! Linus looks happy to be at their summit

The hike down to the bottom of the falls (for proper viewing) was treacherous. Not to mention I was TIRED from running, so I was NOT so sure on my feet. We went super slow, but it was worth it for this! The 40ft Murietta Falls

Look what I endured to take the beautiful waterfall picture for you! Despite my kvetching, wet feet don’t matter all that much- you have to get used to them on trail running due to various stream crossings.   You just run it out and they dry right off.

We hung out at the falls for about 5 minutes and chatted with some hikers from Berkeley. Linus unabashedly begged for their food. I had better manners myself, but *man* their cliff bars looked good. For this particular run I had packed in my camelback- 4 gels, accelerade, the map, phone, camera and water. It was a mistake. I would have KILLED for some solid food at this point.  Because the elevation changes made the run so difficult, it took far longer than anticipated. I won’t be making that mistake again- cliff bars are always going in the pack!

Going with the theme of not having enough supplies- we ran out of water on the way home. Agh! We were just about 3 miles out, so it wasn’t a travesty- just sucked it up and gutted it out. I had been sharing water with Linus by the inefficient method of pouring my camelback into my cupped hands and letting him slurp it out. We probably spilled/wasted a LOT doing this. Which, wasn’t really necessary because Buddy quenched his thirst also doing this:

If I hadn’t shared water with him, I don’t know if I would have ran out. I have since purchased a hand-held water bottle as well, from Zombie Runner. Probably on future runs going to be using this to hold Nuun-infused water. Then I just have to get some salt tabs and I will be good to go for LONG distances.

Spring has sprung! Tell-tale sign here on this budding tree.

Some majorly GREEN foliage. I thought this was pretty.

And, back at the car! Man, I was glad to see the freaking car. We were both BEAT.

I gave Linus some water (we had more in the car and he has his bowl there) and gave him a thorough check-over for ticks and checked all of his paws to see how they were looking after the hike. I pulled one tick off him, laid down his “you are a filthy dog covered in mud” blanket, and we headed back to my Aunt’s house.

After a shower, we all headed out for the evening to my cousin’s kid’s (second cousin? I’m not sure what you call that) birthday party. Linus was the guest of honor. Seriously. Both of their children had been asking if Linus was coming to the party all week! (note- they never ask about Earl and I- always just Linus!!). Here’s Linus visiting his throngs of adoring fans. I have no idea how he had the energy to run around with all of these kids after a 14 mile hike!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TREY!! What a great way to put a cap on a satisfying, exhausting and fun day!

Oh- just one other cool note- I have since learned that there’s a 50k trail run on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail! How awesome is that? (and, how hard must that be?! aye!) It was sold out, unfortunately, but I did email the race director to get my name on the waiting list. Check it out, I’m #8. Hopefully I will get in. According to the race director, “Last year about 10-12 people on the list made it into the race, so I think your chances at this point are good.” Nice!