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.
Tag Archive for 'Santa Monica Mountains'
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
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.
The Angeles, San Bernardino, and Los Padres National Forests are open again!
The Cleveland National Forest is scheduled to re-open tomorrow.
So go out, enjoy the mountains again — but be sure to check to make sure the area you’re going into isn’t closed down from fire damage.
… Well, relatively clear, that is.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a statement today saying the air quality has improved to the point where they’re no longer recommending limiting your outdoor activities. They note, however, that there are still some fires burning, and several areas that still have smoke advisories in effect. (Here’s a clue - if you smell smoke or see ash, you’re still in a smoke advisory area).
Don’t lace up those boots just yet, though - the National Forests are still closed due to extreme fire hazard. Here’s hoping we can get back to the mountains by the weekend!
While the fires are getting under control in (most of) Southern California, the air here is still pretty nasty. According to an MSNBC story, officials recommend limiting strenuous outdoor activity for at least 7 days after the fires are quelled.
My allergies have been going at full blast all week - sore throat, burning eyes, runny nose - the total package. Way worse than the 2003 fires. Normally I’d retreat to the mountains to get away from air like this, but right now the only option I’ve got is hiding inside my apartment with my Xbox and air conditioner.
Oh well. I’m still fortunate enough to have a place to sleep. I can’t wait for this smoke to clear so I can at least see my San Gabriels again.
The Angeles, San Bernardino, Cleveland, and Los Padres National Forests are all closed until further notice. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is also closed, although the visitor center in Thousand Oaks is still operational. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment.
Not that you really want to be hiking in the smoky air, anyway.
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.
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