11 up sunset trail past the campground, up to the maintenance sheds and back. I didn't make a big deal about it yesterday, but after today, the people shooting guns up the canyon have to go. Last night, as I came out of the trail into the campground there were a group of people, looked like 2 adults (fathers?) and 3-4 kids (boys) in the campground. They were shooting their BB gun at the trail head sign, which sits immediately in front of the trail. When they saw me they got an "oh crap!" look on their faces and put the BB guns away. I figured they just didn't know the trail was there, and I wasn't hurt, so I let it go. Today, they were a sleep or something when I made it to the campground because I didn't see anyone there. On my way back down, I could hear them about 15 to 20 feet off the side of the trail. One of them shot off a round, and the bullet whizzed through the trees just to my left. So it appears they were shooting their guns across the trial. I immediately yelled out "Hey, stop shooting I'm on the trail!" I didn't hear another gun shot after that, which is good because I passed about 12 people hiking up the trail on my way back down. I can understand the first incident, even though I imagine it's a violation of city ordinances to shoot guns in designated campsites. The second incident is unforgiveable. There were no other cars or signs of people in the campground other than that same group. To be shooting off guns in an area that you are aware has a hiking trail should be both civilly and criminaly punishable. I called the cops when I got back to my car. Other than that incident it was a nice run. I met a guy named Bill from Centerville running in Altra Instincts. He ran from his house up almost to the towers on top. Props to him. |