The Shadow of the Beast (Part 2)

March 27, 2021

3 weeks later I headed back to the house. I was prepared to help my aunt with the finalization of her packing. This would be her last weekend at the house. I packed my running gear, a new lightweight jacket, gloves, headlamp, water bottles, vest, and snacks. I planned a route based off a virtual race route I saw (https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=83436) and set new goals for my run and to help my aunt. I would wake up a little earlier, try some different trails, take it easy on the uphill, and just enjoy time spent outdoors. Oh and attempt to summit not just Mount Diablo, but 4 other named peaks in the immediate vicinity AND make it back in time to be useful help for my aunt.

I knew this route would take me longer than last time so energy use would be essential. It was important to me to be able to accomplish my run goal, but also have time to spend with my aunt and cousin to get things done and enjoy being together. For this adventure I again needed to run when and where I could and walk where I couldn’t. As long as I am moving forward I am making progress toward my goal. I prepped everything the night before and slept as well as I could on an ancient creaky bed in a hot bedroom upstairs.

My alarm jarred me awake at 5. I wasn’t sure if I had slept at all, but in my zombie-like state I put everything on and together. I did not have to think because it was all ready for me. “You can do this Corinne,” a common pep-talk I give myself. This went through my head several times while getting ready until I left out the front door with my headlamp on. It certainly was not as cold as last time and the jacket I put on was likely a mistake (as always). I ran across the greenbelt as before, making my way to the trailhead at Regency Gate. My jacket didn’t even make it all the way there before it was removed and thrown in my vest in a Zip-lock bag. This was to protect my poor jacket from the insane amount of sweat that was going to happen very soon. I took my first step on the trail and immediately slipped on some loose gravel on a downhill that almost sent me tumbling. “Stay sharp,” I thought as the street lights fell behind me and darkness surrounded my headlamp bubble of light.

My goal of being in shape has always stemmed from a thirst for adventure. I do not want to be limited by my physical abilities though I always will be. I never be in good enough shape, or fast enough, but I can help my body be better, stronger, and more adept at accomplishing things I thought were impossible. It encourages me to get outside and appreciate my body. Not every run is easy or fun, but I can appreciate where they all have brought me. I am full of gratitude for the capability of my body.

The dark and quiet enclosed on me as I went down a dirt road I have not been down in recent memory. I ran as far as I could then started trading off walking and running for the uphill. One spot I swear I remember as a child. The hill was so impossibly steep that I remember thinking that you would have to climb up it on all four limbs. Of course, as an adult who was just doing and not thinking, I hiked up the hill on my two feet. It was certainly steep but definitely not vertical. I checked Google maps frequently to make sure I was going the right way and followed the dirt road to the left down a short section and crossed the stream of running water that I had been hearing all the way to this point. I tiptoed from stone to stone and kept hiking uphill at a moderate pace on some long switchbacks.

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I reached the trail for Mount Olympia and looked out over the twinkling lights in Clayton. I could see a few headlamps bobbing in the blackened area of the State Park. The trail narrowed and became steep. It switched back and forth endlessly. My breathing was heavy, but I continued. “I might actually make it to Mount Olympia for sunrise,” I thought excitedly. The temperature was just right and I was feeling really optimistic. The sun started to light up the sky as sunrise neared. The rechargeable battery that was in my headlamp started to die at the same time that I wouldn’t need it anymore. I was glad I had packed extra batteries just in case, but I would not need them this time.

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I made my way up some steep sections of trail while the world lit up around me. Eventually I had crested the hill to the summit of Mount Olympia. I had beaten the sunrise. I stood and marveled at the orange landscape below in the central valley of California. I had a few minutes so I sat and took it all in. I was alone on the summit of Mount Olympia and it was so quiet and peaceful. I sent a short video to a few friends to share the beauty and looked out at the Sierra. Minutes later the sun came up. All was right in the world.

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After the short break and motivation from the sun I felt more than ready to continue. One summit down, 4 to go. I walked down off the summit and followed the trail left down a short section and then uphill. There was still a lot of elevation to climb today. The trail continued on a side-hill climbing up below my next destination. I hiked up making sure to take in the views from the current light of day. The sun just kissing more and more parts of Mount Diablo’s terrain.

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The single track hit a road where I would go left up to North Peak. My calves screamed as I approached a ridiculously steep section of loose gravel road that stood between me and North Peak. “One step at a time,” I breathed, worried about having to come back down this. Before I knew it, I had made it up to my second summit for the day. I was taking a picture of the North Peak summit sign when a shadow cast from the east in front of the sun.

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A human! My first for the day. We said hello and talked for a bit about how gorgeous it was, what trail we came from, and where we were headed next… Mount Diablo Summit. We were headed the same way but were separated quickly. He was much faster than I was and had the great advantage of some hiking poles for the steep downhill road section I had just come up.

I made my way slowly down the steep section losing traction slipping wildly. When I finally looked up I saw that he was out of sight. Impressed, I continued on the downhill road to Prospector’s Gap. It was runnable here so I made my way down soaking up the sunlight. Unlike the two times before there was no debate here at Prospector’s Gap. I was going to the summit of Mount Diablo. Finally.

The summit trail wound around the top of the mountain with sweeping views to the east. Wildflowers were blooming in the open grass areas I ran and hiked up. I kept my pace as I steadily climbed closer and closer to the summit house. I paralleled the paved park road on the trail until my destination was in sight. “I did it!” I said out loud to myself as I took a picture of the summit sign and then a sweaty selfie.

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Just a few more yards and I was climbing up the steps to the observation deck at the summit house. I finally did it. I was on top of Mount Diablo! I relished the 360 degree views stretching from San Francisco to the Sierras. I had the summit all to myself. Beaming from ear to ear I took it all in, third summit and 9.5 miles done.

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Time was still running and I had a ways to go to get back to the house so I could not stand on the summit forever. I made my way down the staircase back to the trail I came up on. As I ran down I felt so good I started smiling and even laughing out loud at one point. Many people were out now and I stopped to let them go up, cheerfully saying hello and wishing them a great day.

I made it down to the ridge trail I took last time and turned onto it. Excited for the fun flowy up and down the single track provided. I spread my arms out to soar and laughed out loud again. My legs were getting tired. I felt so free but also a little clunky. I acknowledged that my downhill running still had a lot of work to be done. I was careful and slow, especially on any rocky and technical terrain trying to be sure to lift my tired legs up.

“Oh no,” I thought, though much less politely, flailing to stay upright. My right toe had slammed into a rock sticking up in the trail. I gasped as I flew forward downhill toward more rocks. Magically my left foot found firm ground and I stumbled able to stay upright, my heartrate skyrocketing. “Wow,” I said to myself out loud, “that was close.” I walked it off and started to giggle about how absolutely ridiculous I must of looked. Though nobody saw, I could see a clear picture of myself panicking in midair, ready to splat out on the trail. The thought amused me, but I was glad I was fast enough to catch myself.

A little more careful now still, the trail brought me down the ridge. Soon there would be one last climb to Eagle Peak and I was ready for it, but also ready to be done. The sun was now wide awake over the park and I was fully exposed. As I made the climb up to Eagle Peak I looked back at Mount Olympia, North Peak, and Mount Diablo amazed at what I had already accomplished.

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“Not too much further,” I breathed as I scrambled up the last bit of trail before I could see the Eagle Peak sign. One more down, one to go. The trail followed across the ridge and fell back down the opposite side I had come up. Some shade awaited me here. Switching back and forth on a mostly easy grade was a nice change and I could switch to autopilot for a bit enjoying the views as they peaked out. More and more vegetation was surrounding the trail now.

One last exposed ridgeline brought me rollercoaster-ing down to Twin Peaks. I had made it to my last summit of the day. I celebrated by taking a quick picture of the sign and continuing down toward my responsibilities. More and more groups of people and happy hikers were littering the trail now. I made sure to say hi enthusiastically to every last one of them. My tired body could not stop me from feeling so fully connected with nature and that connection feels shared with the people who get to experience it too.

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My water ran out sometime before hitting the flat grassy area before heading back to pavement. It was warm now, but I was close enough to make it. A woman cheered me on as she saw me running and I felt rejuvenated celebrating myself as well. I ran the hardest part across the grassy flat to the pavement where I considered stopping to walk. The fact that walking will take longer makes running win the argument most of the time. I had been out for over 4 hours and I was ready to stop. Just a few more steps and I would be back. This adventure was over, but it was only preparing me for the next one.

As the house came into view, my entire body filled sense of accomplishment and exhaustion. I ripped off my shoes and socks and lay in the shade in the grass in the front yard. I smiled and laid there thinking of all the miles I had covered, the sights I saw, and the pure joy I experienced being free and capable to do things like this. I am so grateful to my body and mind for carrying me through. I always think of how fortunate I am to be able to do these activities and am grateful for the people and opportunities that have made it possible.

The shadow of Mount Diablo still looms as it always will. The sun will set and rise again. I can’t help but feel a closer connection to the mountain with the new memories that were created. It’s almost as if we have a new familiarity. Mount Diablo is not just the backdrop, it’s part of memory and history. I now see you differently, as a comfort and reliable sight from a distance, as a strong connection with the past and hope for the future.

In memory of my grandmother, Patricia (Patty/Pat) who passed away in 2017 while I was in Alaska. She was the most kind, compassionate, and patient woman I’ve ever known. Miss you always.