July 1st, 2nd, 3rd - Swallow Cliff trail running

Got out early (6:00 CA time) and drove to the Swallow Cliff Preserve parking lot at 119th and La Grange Rd. Started out heading West from the parking lot through the woods following the trail as it crossed 104th Ave and looped South, then East crossing back over 104th. The trail met the Swallow Cliff toboggan run parking lot and we headed North to climb the 126 stairs to the top. These stairs used to be made of chiseled limestone and had a neat unevenness about them, but now they have been refinished with smooth concrete which while probably safer kind of takes away some of the fun from running up them. The trail picks back up at the top heading back to the parking lot on 119th Street making for a loop just under 5 miles. It is a really nice run almost entirely covered by tree canopy (quite different from the desert running we are used to). Saw a few other runners and a couple deer along the way.