Trail Report: Newport Backbay
I can't believe I haven't written a Trail Report for the Newport Backbay yet! It's quite possibly my favorite trail in Orange County! I can't tell you when I was first introduced to it, but I can say I've run or ridden this trail hundreds of times!
Last week was the last big climb in run miles for 1 of the 5, of Fab5. That meant this week we got to "taper" with an easy 10. Quickly I threw out, Backbay as an option. An easy sell really because it's near the beach.
The Backbay Loop is just over 10 miles long. My preference is to start at the YMCA and head clockwise around the bay. It also gives you the most scenic portion of the trail at the beginning.
After the group checked the stats of Event Whore in the Ironman, the group bundled up and hit the trail. It was a chilly morning and most of us kept our gloves and long sleeved shirts on til the very end. Not exactly my type of weather!
It's hard to explain why I love this trail so much. When you break it down, it's not very notable. I mean, it's relatively flat (except maybe 2 short steep hills), it's relatively busy with bikers/runners/walkers/bird watchers, and it's relatively smelly certain times of the year. But if you're lucky you'll time your run just right and you'll see the fog settling on the water, while ducklings chase after their mother. Or you'll see a small pack of "serious" inline skaters zoom by you. Or it might not be low tide, and you won't suspect someone let a "silent killer" go on the run.
It's a very peaceful run to me. I can literally clear out all the chaos of the OC and relax.
The group finished up the run and checked in on our friend's progress back in Florida. And I guess it's a good run, when you load into your car after a 10 miler and think... well , that went by fast! We owe it to the trail (oh, and to the conversation, of course!).
Perks of the trail...
Last week was the last big climb in run miles for 1 of the 5, of Fab5. That meant this week we got to "taper" with an easy 10. Quickly I threw out, Backbay as an option. An easy sell really because it's near the beach.
The Backbay Loop is just over 10 miles long. My preference is to start at the YMCA and head clockwise around the bay. It also gives you the most scenic portion of the trail at the beginning.
After the group checked the stats of Event Whore in the Ironman, the group bundled up and hit the trail. It was a chilly morning and most of us kept our gloves and long sleeved shirts on til the very end. Not exactly my type of weather!
It's hard to explain why I love this trail so much. When you break it down, it's not very notable. I mean, it's relatively flat (except maybe 2 short steep hills), it's relatively busy with bikers/runners/walkers/bird watchers, and it's relatively smelly certain times of the year. But if you're lucky you'll time your run just right and you'll see the fog settling on the water, while ducklings chase after their mother. Or you'll see a small pack of "serious" inline skaters zoom by you. Or it might not be low tide, and you won't suspect someone let a "silent killer" go on the run.
It's a very peaceful run to me. I can literally clear out all the chaos of the OC and relax.
The group finished up the run and checked in on our friend's progress back in Florida. And I guess it's a good run, when you load into your car after a 10 miler and think... well , that went by fast! We owe it to the trail (oh, and to the conversation, of course!).
Perks of the trail...
- 10+ mile loop
- Relatively flat with a few short, steep hills
- Scenic view of the Backbay
- Plenty of "active" folks out on the trail
- Parking is easy - start at the YMCA or by the Newport Dunes, plus anywhere in between - all free
- Few cars on the bike path portion (cars are allowed to go one way, but only at 15 MPH
- If you needed more mileage, you can head out on the bike path that takes you under Jamboree (Sea to Mountain trail)
- Since trail is close to the beach and on the backbay, it makes for a cooler run
- The OC Marathon uses parts of the Backbay for its race (although I preferred the older course that ran you on the south to west side of the trail - the more scenic portion)
- Extremely limited bathrooms... I will admit there have been some close calls due to some IBS!
- Bring your own water. The only water fountains I know of are by the Dunes
- Stinky Backbay
- Runners, Walkers, Dogs, Bikers, Inline Skaters, Cars = confusion on what side to run on. In theory, seems simple. Except on the "two lane" road, one side of the road is only 4 feet wide. I've seen some near accidents on that trail, so be aware!
- Headwinds on the south side make for a challenge
- Read the parking signs - it's an expensive day if you don't!
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