If you want to do a bit of stargazing with your hiking this weekend, a volunteer Naturalist will be leading a 2 hour program this Friday evening at the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.
The short 1/2 mile hike begins at the Victory Trailhead at 6:30PM on Friday and the following program will last about two hours.
The all-ages program is free, but parking does cost $3. No dogs allowed, unfortunately. Call 310-858-7272 x131 for more information.
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Late last year, I noted the approved increase in permit parking areas near Runyon Canyon, a very popular hike in the Hollywood Hills that has long-suffered from a shortage of places to stow your 4-wheeled vehicle.
Well, the new restrictions are in effect, and now drivers will not be able to park their cars on parts of Gardner Street and Franklin Avenue close to the park’s Vista Avenue entrance anytime other than Monday through Friday, 8AM to 7PM. Even then, parking is limited to two hours.
Hopefully the city, hikers, and the neighborhood can come to some sort of a parking solution that’s better than this, which only pushes traffic congestion onto other side streets that don’t have preferential parking … yet.
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For the next five days, Patagonia is having a 30% off sale on most of this season’s fall and winter inventory.
Since we pretty much just got our first taste of the season, now is still a good time to stock up on any cold-weather gear, baselayers, or long-sleeved items you’ve had your mind on.
The sale runs through January 30th, and good stuff will most likely get sold out quickly – so take a look!
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A 5.3 mile loop trail through some rugged Santa Clarita terrain. This hike features a decent workout in its elevation gain, some spectacular views of the Santa Susana Mountains and lots of geologic activity – including several small tar pits and natural asphalt in the nearby creeks. This route also has a few fun scrambling opportunities and an area called The Narrows – an area of stark uplift that the trail squeezes through in Towsley Canyon. A really fun and fascinating trail!
The Basics:
- Distance: 5.3 Miles
- Elevation Gain: 1105 feet
- Time: A little over 2 hours with a good pace
- Trail Condition: Excellent – this trail is very well maintained and well-signed. Junctions are mostly well-marked, often with distances. There are a few unmarked use-trails along the route, but they almost all only veer off the ‘normal’ trail for a few yards before joining back up.
- How To get There: Take the Golden State Freeway north toward Santa Clarita and take exit 166 (Calgrove Blvd.). Turn west, following the signs for Ed Davis Park / Towsley Canyon. The park will be on the west side of the road very shortly off the freeway. There are three parking areas – the main lot and overflow lot closest to the road are free. There is also a smaller parking lot a bit further into the park that costs $7 to use – but I imagine this is only used as a very last resort.
- Map Trailhead
The Notables:
- Great geological features – tar pits, sulphur, natural asphalt and The Narrows
- A few climbing and scrambling opportunities
- Popular loop trail with good views and an incline that will give you a decent workout
- Easy access from the freeway
- Dog, bike, and equestrian friendly
More Pictures:
- on Flickr
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OK, let’s face it – it’s pretty tough to head into Yosemite National Park and not come out with some great pictures – almost every part of that landscape is uniquely and completely breathtaking. The guys behind Project Yosemite just released their HD time-lapse video project and I’m willing to bet no matter how many times you’ve seen incredible shots of Yosemite, watching this is gonna make you want to head up north ASAP.
Yosemite HD from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.
KCET’s SoCal Wanderer has some more info on the duo, as well as a behind the scenes mini-doc on how they got this footage and what they hope to do next.
Good luck, guys – and thanks for capturing all this beautiful scenery!
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