Lafayette Reservoir Lafayette, California

I took a run around the Lakeside trail today, and caught a portion of the Rim Trail loop at the Lafayette Reservoir.  The Lafayette Reservoir is located just off Highway 24 in the City of Lafayette in Contra Costa County.  I've run the reservoir numerous times, and have competed in the Lafayette Reservoir 10k race held annually.   

I was aiming at running the Columbine Trail (Lake Chabot) but ended up working longer than I thought.  So, I elected to head over to the Reservoir for a quick run.  I got there at 4:17 and noticed that the park was to close at 5:30.  I changed quickly at my car, and scampered off to the Lakeside trail.  It was cold (50 degrees?) and it took awhile to get the blood flowing.  Even after warming up, my forearms felt like cold fenders out there fighting the cold.  The sun had disappeared in the horizon and the trail was shaded by the shadows of the hills surrounding the reservoir.

I passed a few other runners moving in the opposite direction of the paved Lakeside trail and quite a few walkers.  Nearly everyone was covered for the weather, except me.  Eventually my body heat got me warm and as I rounded the reservoir at its furthest point from my car; I decided to hit a trail toward the Rim Trail Loop.  Immediately ascending up toward the rim of the hills surrounding the reservoir, the Rim Trail Loop is 4.7 mile loop of the reservoir with dramatic elevation changes.  Once I reached the Rim, I glanced over the surrounding hills and was treated to the setting Sun disappearing on the horizon for the day!  It was a nice treat that I exchanged for plenty of huffing & puffing!     Though the trail was damp & a bit muddy; I managed good footing.  I found the trail wide undoubtedly for fire vehicles, and free of over hang brush.  I traversed across some rolling hills and stopped twice.  The first was to peer over an expanse of the reservoir, and the second time I took a gaze at my beloved Mt. Diablo!  Both very worthwhile experiences!  After a bit more running, the trail descends and I began to look for a way back to the Lakeside trail.  As I came across a series of hills, I ran into a couple of Hikers, asked for directions and headed down the path they recommended.  As soon as I began my descent, two deer spotted me on the trail and froze in position as I passed.  I took a good look at them: they never budged. 

I made it back to the Lakeside trail shortly thereafter.  As I ran on the paved trail, I tried hopelessly to rid myself of the mud tagging along in the crevices of my New Balance shoes.  This effort proved futile.  Once I got back to the parking lot, I took a couple of long sprints a few times up and back the distance of the cavernous parking lot; then found a bench, and with a stick, sat and cleaned my shoes.