Peter's Canyon

Kyong-Mi told Trevor she wanted to go hiking at Peter's Canyon.  She remembered it being a pretty place.  She knew there was a steep hill, but genuinely enjoyed her previous hike through there from almost ten years prior.  Before they went on the hike, they stopped by Jersey Mike's for mini sandwiches, which they ate in the car before heading to the Canyon.

When they got to the parking lot of the trailhead, it was fairly full.  Lots of families as well as cyclists use the trail.  Kyong-Mi remembered how to find the trail and wasn't even thinking about how hot it was and that she hadn't exercised for real in a long time. She used to be fit, like hiked every weekend, went jogging 4 miles a day, etc.  

Trevor asked if she wanted to go up the hill, and being the competitive person she is, she said, "Yes."  She started up that hill and was hyperventilating half way up. By the time she got to the top she was having a stinging cough, dizzy and nauseated. She sat on the bench on top of the hill for a few minutes trying to get her normal breathing back and let the nausea wear off. 

 Trevor went downhill and she followed behind, deciding to walk the flat trail, but after about a hundred feet, Kyong-Mim wanted to vomit. She was dizzy, her right knee wanted to give out, and she was salivating with a runny nose. She even thought her body wanted to pee but she didn't have the actual urge...it just felt weak down there. 

She has never felt that way from any exercise before and she had walked that hill before. She thinks she was dehydrated from overexertion, even though she was sipping on electrolyte water.

Fields of yellow

White flowers

The reservoir had water in it, as opposed to the last time Kyong-Mi hiked this canyon

Prickly pear cactus

The grueling hill (not Kyong-Mi's photo)

Peter's Canyon

Kyong-Mi & Mike in Peter's Canyon

Kyong-Mi chose Peter's Canyon for a less strenuous hike, as opposed to the Santiago Peak hike from the Thursday before.  That hike left her sore till Monday.

Peter's Canyon's address of 8548 E. Canyon View Ave., Orange, CA 92869 did not show up on the GPS, so they took to Google Maps via cell phone to find it.  Once in the parking lot the trailhead begins. Kyong-Mi took a right on the trail and it took her to the upper part of the reservoir where picnickers were enjoying lunch.  Up there, it also had a sign pointing in the opposite direction to begin the trail through Peter's Canyon.  Kyong-Mi told Mike, "Other direction!"

The trail began near the street, lots of highway noises and airplanes above.  It wasn't a sweet sound for a "nature" hike.  Further along, the hike it took them to a gravel and dirt road, where the reservoir was to the right and a hill with a steep trail could be seen in the distance.

For Kyong-Mi and Mike, Peter's Canyon was "meh."  Having walked through the forest and near beaches, Peter's Canyon was a trail lined by either highway or homes.  The reservoir was depleted of water from the drought.  Sunflowers lined the trail leading up to the East Ridge Loop which made the hike less boring.

The East Ridge Loop begins at a fork in the road.  They both go in the same place, but the view from the top of the hill is far more spectacular.  In the distance, the old El Toro Marine Corps base could be seen.  Rattlesnakes could be heard throughout various parts of the canyon.

Here are a few pictures from the hike-

Kyong-Mi walking up the gravel road.

Mike jogging to catch up.

Dried out reservoir.

Reservoir.

Full view of reservoir.

View from peak of East Ridge Loop trail.  Tustin Marine Corps Air Station.