FKT: Sara Aranda - The Alpaca Loop (counterclockwise) - 2023-10-27

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Female
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
5h 29m 52s
GPS track(s)
Report

I began near the big sign for Alpaca Kitchen at 6:47 a.m. and followed the route counterclockwise, summiting San Jacinto (i a kitch, Cahuilla for "smooth cliffs") around the 3h 29m mark, so 10:16 a.m. I then descended via Deer Springs and completed the loop at the same Alpaca sign, with a total time of 5h 29m 52s (12:16 p.m.). I ran alone and carried my own water and food. The trails weren't super busy and I shared the summit with only one person. The temperatures were perfect for a big day in the mountains, and due to a big snow and rain year, all of the springs were flowing nicely. I refilled water once at the Little Round Valley creek. I absolutely love these trails and cliffs. So grateful to be able to spend a day traversing them. However, I will say that there were quite a handful of downed trees on the Deer Springs descent that I had to jump, climb over, or go around, but nothing unmanageable. This FKT attempt is part of a fundraiser that I am doing this Fall season for ReNew Earth Running: details can be found in my Strava Posts. Cheers.