The Saturday morning group was pretty strung out by the time runners reached the roving aid station that Butch Stratton had established on the summit of South Shore Drive at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
By this point, most conversation had ceased, and everyone was looking a little rough. No surprise really. We’d already been at this for more than three hours, the temperature was rising fast and we had just climbed the day’s biggest hill. But in a little less than three miles, we were back at Brandy Creek Marina, having completed a 20-mile circumnavigation of Whiskeytown Lake on foot.
I can think of few better ways to spend a morning.
Over the last 12 years, I’ve been lucky enough to traverse just about every trail and dirt road at Whiskeytown. Some of the most easily accessible trails – Davis Gulch, Shasta Mine Loop, Clear Creek Vista, Oak Bottom Ditch – I have covered dozens of times. But until last Saturday, May 30, I had never gone all the way around the lake in one push.
The conditions were ideal when eight of us departed the Brandy Creek Marina parking lot at 5:45 a.m. As we headed east on John F. Kennedy Drive, we picked up Brian Garcia (running a little “late” at 5:50 a.m.) near the Brandy Creek picnic area. Fresh off a top-30 finish at the Big Sur International Marathon, an even later Rindy Williams easily caught up us within a few miles, completing our cast of 10.
We sorted ourselves out quickly: The fast, young runners were up front, with we slow, old (I mean “more experienced”) runners pulling up the back. As is typically the case when runners get together, we talked about, well … running. Races people are training for, races people recently finished, favorite training routes and events, and, of course, running-related maladies – always a favorite topic amongst we experienced types.
We followed the course for the Whiskeytown Relays, the annual September race in which four teammates divide the distance around the lake. From the marina’s spur road, we ran John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive to the Visitor’s Center, and, although it was a Saturday, few cars passed us – no doubt because we reached the Visitor’s Center before 7 a.m. The sun was still hiding behind the hills; the first 5 1/2 miles of the run had passed easily.
After grabbing snacks and filling our water bottles at the mobile aid station provided by Susan Williams and Butch, we hung a left and started down Highway 299. I’ll admit I was dreading this 5 1/2-mile stretch. But it turned out fine. Traffic remained light, the shoulder is generally wide, and most motorists allowed us plenty of room. Plus, it was fun to inspect things usually viewed from inside a zipping car.
Still, everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we made a hard left on a dirt road, shortly after the road to Oak Bottom, and picked up the Oak Bottom Ditch Trail. The shaded dirt path along the lake was welcoming, and our pace quickened a bit.
After a short section of paved road, we reached the grassy picnic area at the Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse. Two-thirds of the distance was in the bag, but the crux of the run awaited – South Shore Drive and its two major climbs.
South Shore Drive is a rough dirt road that sees little vehicular traffic. I love running it for the bird’s-eye views of the lake and the peeks, on clear days, of Lassen Peak. By the time our group hit South Shore, though, we were wearing down, and the day was
(l to r): Jim Rudd, Frank Nigro, Jim Smith
heating up. The vista were a little tougher to enjoy, and, frankly, there wasn’t a whole of “running” up the hill to Butch’s truck at the summit. Some of us lingered longer than others before departing for the mostly downhill finish.
Soon enough we were back in the parking lot, where Susan, who helps coordinate the Saturday morning runs, greeted us with Gatorade slushies. Most of us bolted for the lake, either wading in or going for the full-on belly flop into the cool water. Refreshed, we devoured Susan’s sandwiches and Frank Nigro’s homemade cookies as the heat of the day arrived. When Susan reminded us that it still wasn’t 10 o’clock, the ungodly 5:45 a.m. start was confirmed as a great idea.
Want to try your own trip around Whiskeytown Lake by foot or bicycle? Here are a few suggestions:
• Start early. You’ll avoid the summertime heat and traffic.
• Carry water and food. You can fill up bottles at Brandy Creek Marina, the Brandy Creek picnic area and beach, the Visitor’s Center, the Oak Bottom Marina and beach, and the powerhouse.
• Study the National Park Service map in advance. It would be tough to get lost, but it’s always nice to know where you are going.
• If you’re on foot, consider substituting the Davis Gulch Trail (sorry, no bikes) for a section of Kennedy Memorial Drive. Although the trail will add less than a mile to your route, it’s a little less hilly, provides a softer surface, has zero traffic and offers better lake views.
• Go with at least one other person, just in case problems arise.
Looking for some running company but not ready for a 20-miler? A group loosely associated with the SWEAT running club meets just about every Saturday morning somewhere in the Redding area. The typical weekly run is 8 to 12 miles, with optional shortcuts and extensions. You’re likely to find someone running about your pace no matter how fast or slow. The Saturday morning runs, as well as other group runs and local races, are posted in advance on the SWEAT website or you may contact me and I’ll put you in touch with the organizers.
Paul Shigley ices his sore Achilles tendon at his home in Centerville. You may reach him at paulshigley@sbcglobal.net.
