Trail Running in Sardis: Thornton Creek Trail

I recently discovered that I didn’t hate jogging as much as I thought I did. This came as quite a shock, since I have avoided running for years (much to the detriment of my derriere.) I have started doing easy access, moderate difficulty trail running in my neighbourhood, and so far, it has been fantastic. I’m not sure whether it’s the thrill of becoming potential snack food for Yogi and BooBoo, or if it is the communing with nature (while my iPod blares the soothing sounds of Motley Crue over the screams of territorial crows and greedy squirrels) but I always feel fantastic and refreshed after an off-road run.

This morning, I decided to take on Thornton Creek Trail – a planned suburban trail way – which winds through the middle of the Promontory Heights. The head of the trail begins in Promontory Park West, adjacent to Promontory Heights Elementary Community School. Thornton Creek winds down the hill behind Cedar Creek Drive, crosses a small bridge near the Kermode Street access point, and then proceeds to continue it’s descent towards the bottom of hill at Mullins Road. From there, you can opt to hoof it one of three ways: on the pavement up Teskey Road, down Mullins Road, or continue trail blazing across the road, on the less traveled and very narrow continuation. The creek dips into a gully , and the trail winds on until another access point on Thornhill Street, which drops you out about 2 blocks away from the Promontory shopping/dining area at Four Corners.

This is not a difficult trail, nor is it a long trail. It is child friendly, and leashed dog friendly.  A number of species of native berries, shrubs and woodland flowers dot the sides of the trail, and towering cedars, birch and immature maples shade and protect it. My children are able to walk the established portion of the trail in about 15 minutes, and the entire trail in about 25. It takes about 7 minutes for me to run from the trail head at Promontory Park West, until I exit at Thornhill Street.