A pleasant loop through the low mountains and wide grasslands of northern Point Mugu State Park. This route features a seasonal waterfall, cabin ruins, and great spring wildflower blooms — and while I hiked just under 11 and a half miles, there are plenty of alternate, shorter routes.
Archive for the 'Santa Monica Mountains' Category
A beautiful hike in the coastal mountains. Phenomenal flower blooms in the spring, strong sun in the summer, and a small spring and waterfall (during wet years), the main attraction are large swaths of native California grassland — some of the last remaining unspoiled areas in the state. A well-traveled area with lots of trail options can make this area and easy couple of hours or a full day excursion.
Continue reading ‘Hiking La Jolla Canyon’
My Havasu backpacking buddy (and great photographer) Andrew just dropped me a line to let me know the Santa Monica Mountains are smack dab in the middle of a great wildflower bloom right now. With the recent rainstorm and some partly sunny forecasts — for the weekend afternoons, at least — this would be a good time to head out to Malibu and do a little hiking before the summer sun makes the trails too hot.
He recommends the La Jolla Valley Loop for good peeping, and I agree. I did the trail a few years ago – before I started GPS tracking — and was really impressed with the variety of landscapes on this route. You get some great coastal bluffs, a hidden lake, a (very small) waterfall, and one of Southern California’s last-remaining native grasslands.
The Park Service has a page of bloom reports, and it looks like Triufno Canyon and Point Mugu have some nice flower cover right now, too. For added fun, identify all the flowers when you get home. Your botanist friends will be impressed.
My doctor told me not to engage in “strenuous activities” for a few weeks … but a walk through the flowers can’t be that bad, right?
Image by njhdiver
A 7+ mile semi-loop in one of the Los Angeles area’s most accessible parks. Some classic, Sycamore-covered SoCal geography, with meadows, boulder formations and outcroppings, and rolling chaparral ridges. Excellent views of the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Monica Mountains and — if you’re lucky — the far reaching sprawl of the Los Angeles megalopolis.
If you’re reading local Los Angeles news, the forests around L.A. are portrayed as a dumping ground for bodies and playground for drunken vandals.
I swear, it’s not that bad.
The LA Times story is really interesting, if you’ve ever wondered just how they track down people who start forest fires. Long story short, some good ol-fashioned electronic detective work.
A picturesque, shaded canyon hike. A popular, well-maintained trail with opportunities for less-traveled spurs. Highlights include a small waterfall, the oldest still-standing stone building in Malibu, and the ruins of a burned-down mansion.
A short, relatively easy trail loop in one of the most accessible areas of Los Angeles’ mountains. Quick access and very dog-friendly, although the crowds may leave you longing for something a bit further in the wilderness.
A short hike to one of Southern California’s classic hiking destinations. An easy route that can extend as far as you want, with great opportunities for climbing and a wonderful place to refresh your bouldering skills.
An easy hike for ‘intermediate beginners’ and novice hikers looking for a challenge. Great scenery, well-maintained trails, and lots of opportunities to branch out and explore. This is definitely one of my favorite trails in all of Los Angeles, and a fantastic way to introduce non-hikers to the joys of hiking.
Continue reading ‘Hiking Mishe Mokwa Trail to Tri-Peaks and Sandstone Peak’
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