International Barefoot Running Day, Huntington Beach, California
Footwear: Optional
Main Event (about 3-5 miles, depending on how lost Ken Bob becomes)
Meet at:
8:30AM
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Bluffs)
Brightwater Trailhead, South End of Bolsa Chica Road, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Parking (FREE) on Bolsa Chica Street south of Warner Avenue or side-streets – check signage. Not all streets allow parking everywhere.
A few miles/km more or less, walking/running more or less, as much or as little, as fast or slow, as you like.
NOTE ABOUT DOGS: The north side (bluffs) of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve ALLOWS DOGS (on leash, of course). Bring your pup(s) and plenty of water for your pups.
If your pups are older or alpha dogs, we can keep them separated by several feet from Kay (Barefoot Ken Bob’s husky) but they’ll probably, usually, mostly, be good while walking/hiking together. Small dogs should be kept a few feet away from Kay. I mean, he is mostly good – but there are some dogs who offend him, and he is greedy and will bite other dogs (drawing small amounts of blood) over his sticks, gopher holes, grass, Ken Bob’s attention, etc.. And of course, Siberian Huskies are very closely related to wolves, and small dogs often look like prey to them, especially when running and bouncing around in front of their face.
Good news: Kay loves 99.9% of the people he meets (if you’re skulking around looking for something to steal, he will hate you – which I’m fine with). Kay hasn’t bit another dog since before Christmas! And that was a misunderstanding with one of his best friends (“Are you barking at me?”). Ask Barefoot Ken Bob to share the story and show off his scars.
Barefoot Ken Bob will walk/run (mostly walk) about 3 miles/5 kilometers (plus an additional optional 4 miles/6.4km – see below). Others are welcome to run/walk on their own or as smaller groups. It’s a well traveled area, so you probably won’t get very lost. But best to try to remember your way back so you don’t need to walk/run several extra miles/kilometers circling back to your vehicle (unless you want to walk/run several extra miles/kilometers circling back to your vehicle). And maybe run/walk with a buddy?
Bring your camera or phone\camera. We might see some of my neighbors, including; seagulls (of course), ducks, pelicans, great blue herons, and coyotes (no guarantees that you will see all of these), and Catalina Island (depending on fog).
Look for the old, long-haired, bearded, barefoot guy with a Siberian Husky (see photo)
Extra Distance Option
Want More? Barefoot Ken Bob will walk/run (mostly walk) an additional optional 4 miles/6.4km (2 miles to and 2 miles from the Brightwater Trailhead)
Meet at:
7:15AM
Sunset Beach Parking Lot (FREE – lot fills quickly on Sundays) Behind Jack in the Box and Travelodge Ocean Front Hotel – Lot opens at 7AM
Look for the old, grey-haired, long-haired, bearded, barefoot guy with the Husky pictured above somewhere on the grass between the leaning tower house (below)…
And Travelodge Ocean Front hotel and Jack in the Box restaurant
RSVP
Or, for members (you can join) RSVP: The Barefoot Runners Society
Terrain
Terrain is mostly
- Clay, hard-packed (unless it rains) with occasional stones or gravel on top.
- Concrete sidewalks
- Asphalt (just a short bit, near the beginning of the extra distance option) with scattered gravel on top
- Gravel – we’ll probably just avoid these areas – but it is an option
Restrooms
No restrooms, I suggest stopping at a gas station or grocery for restrooms before starting. Ralphs Fresh Fare on Warner Avenue.
There are public restrooms, showers, even drinking fountains near the start and end of the extra distance option.
Drinking Water
Best to bring some, at least for your dog, There may be a fountain at the trailhead, or that may have been a different trailhead. There are fountains near the start and end of the extra distance option.
