May 24, 2008

Somewhere near Tujunga...



I'm a sucker for hikes with pretty scenery--otherwise, what's the point? This trail was a little hard to find. North of Sunland and Tujunga, you follow Mt. Gleason Rd. through the Angeles National Forest. There's a small, unmarked dirt road that's easy to miss even if you know what your looking for...

The hike itself was a lot of fun. Dense vegetation, heavy canopy in some parts, and rock hopping on the multiple stream crossings help keep it iteresting. About two miles into the trail is the waterfall. There aren't any signs, just a steep rocky trail that leads to the falls. If you listen to the sound of the water, you can hear it before you spot it.

Beyond the waterfall is the Tom Lucas Camp, and beyond that is Condor Peak. The further into the trail you get, the less maintained it becomes. There are also patches of poison oak to look out for.

Even though it was a misty day, the views were still beautiful. The waterfall was definetely the highlight though. Overall it's a good hike.

May 17, 2008

Paradise Falls


Tucked away in a quiet residental neighborhood in Thousand Oaks is the Paradise Falls trail--a great local day hike for LA residents looking for a quick escape. Parking is free and the trails are well-maintained. From the small parking lot, take the marked trail and follow the signs to Paradise Falls about (1.5 miles). The evevation gain isn't too bad, making this a relatively moderate hike. Even in the early summer heat, this 50-ft waterfall still has a nice flow.

The pool of water is fairly deep. We went for a refreshing swim and climbed up into the small cave. The cold water was a welcome change from the blazing summer heat.


There's plenty of rock hopping if you want to venture further down the creek. I tried to traverse climb toward the mouth of the waterfall, but the rock was crumbly toward the base--best to just jump in and go for a swim.


Exploring Indian Cave..a little further down the trail... It looks man-made, and is rather small, but interesting enough for a quick view. If you take the steep unmarked trail from the cave's exit, you can loop back up to the main trail.


The wooden tepee structure is located at the halfway point to paradise falls. It's a good stop for a water break, and the shaded seating area makes it an ideal spot for a picnic.

May 4, 2008

Jalama Beach




It was a relaxing weekend, waking up to the sound of the surf...I haven't been to Jalama Beach since I was little, and in all that time, it hasn't changed much. It is still the same secluded strand of beach with huge swells and sea cliffs that tower above it. The road to Jalama is a winding one through the green mountainous valley, 14 miles away from the main highway. When we finally reached the campsite the best sites were already taken, but really there aren't any bad spots at Jalama. When you overlook the ocean and can watch a perfect sunset, from where I'm sitting, it's pretty good.


Watching the sunset from our tent...


It's the kind of place where a sense of tranquility comes automatically. You forget about the outside world and everything else melts away...