Whale Peak stands as a botanical island in the sky amidst the scorched, barren wastelands of the Anza-Borrego desert. Representing the high point of the Vallecito Mountains, Whale Peak supports a thriving pinyon-juniper woodland, which is more common to the higher elevations of the Mojave Desert and eastern sides of the Sierra Nevadas. Flora aside, …
2013 Hiking Goals
Last year, I set the goal of hiking 1,000 miles, which I reached in September of this year. One of the drawbacks of the 1,000 miles goal is that hiking was often about squeezing in the miles whenever and wherever I could. In order to reach the goal, I would often hike the same hikes repeatedly …
La Jolla Valley
La Jolla Valley lies tucked into the westernmost end of the Santa Monica Mountains in Point Mugu State Park. This rare valley features wide open grasslands that somehow escaped development and now remain protected. The La Jolla Valley Loop Trail also features great ocean views, as well as views of Boney Mountain.Distance: 7 MilesElevation Gained: …
Las Virgenes Canyon
Las Vigenes Canyon comprises a portion of a network of canyons in the Simi Hills. These broad, shallow canyons feature riparian woodlands of valley oak, live oak, sycamore, and willow, while being framed by gentle, rolling hills covered in grass that turns a vivid green during the spring.Distance: 4.5 MilesElevation Gained: 400'Difficulty: EasyCritters: NoneGet there …
Year-End Review
2012 is almost over, capping an incredible year of hiking. Whether you've read every post or checked in on one or two that shared some information on a hike you wanted to take, thank you for allowing me to share this with you. Having the experience on my own would never have been as satisfying …
Best Photos of 2012
Panoramic view from Trail Crest on the way back from Mt. WhitneyThe year is over, and I'm putting the coda on all of the adventures I've had this year. I've taken some good (and some not so good) photos along the way. I'm putting up a gallery of my favorite shots of 2012. Visually, this …
Baldy Bowl Snowshoeing
Mt. Baldy dominates the eastern section of the San Gabriel mountains, and it towers over the Los Angeles Basin as a major landmark. With numerous routes to the top, Mt. Baldy is one of the landmark hikes of Los Angeles. While the mountain is a popular destination for summer hikers, properly equipped winter hikers can …
Icehouse Canyon
Icehouse Canyon is both an enormously popular hiking destination, as well as a portal to the Cucamonga Wilderness in the extreme east end of the San Gabriel Mountain Range. Its lower extremities, which are explored here, feature lush, riparian woodland and old cabins from a bygone age.Distance: 1.5 MilesElevation Gained: Around 400-500'Difficulty: Easy, save for …
Daley Ranch – Jack Creek Meadow Loop
This mostly flat section of Daley Ranch takes you past the ranch compound, which features a number of old, picturesque buildings, and into the long, narrow Jack Creek Meadow. Come for an early morning hike, and you will encounter a great variety of wildlife.Distance: 5 milesElevation Gained: 500'Difficulty: EasyCritters: deer, rabbits, hawks, egrets, coots, ducks, …
Relict Species: Torrey Pine
Relict, n: a remnant or survivor.Species, n: a distinct sort or kindTorrey Pine (Pinus torreyana)The Torrey Pine is North America's rarest pine tree, growing only on two bluffs in San Diego County, with a separate population growing on Santa Rosa Island of the Channel Islands. The geographic separation of the two populations suggests that the trees were once wide-spread, …
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