Franklin Canyon Park is a little slice of wilderness right in Beverly Hills’ backyard. Part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the original ranch was owned by Edward Doheny, who discovered oil in Los Angeles back in 1982 1882. But this hike is best known for the loop around Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir, […]
Inspiration Point and Muir Peak
Hiking to Muir Peak and Inspiration Point from the Cobb Estate in Altadena is challenging. The 11 mile trail climbs over 2800 feet, gives you a taste of LA history and some really great views. Even with a coastal haze, we spied Catalina Island poking up in the distance. I hiked this with the Sierra […]
Vital Link Trail to Verdugo Peak
The Verdugo Mountains sit between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Santa Monica Mountains, towering like an island above Glendale and Burbank. Our first foray into these mountains was on the nearby Beaudry Motorway Loop which begins in Glendale. This time, we took in a different side of the mountain, starting in Burbank, and bagged […]
Hiking the PCT in Vasquez Rocks
The famous Vasquez Rocks will be familiar to most people. They have been used as a film site for Star Trek (Captain Kirk battling the Gorn), Blazing Saddles, The Flintstones and many others. What you might not know is that the Pacific Crest Trail runs right through the park, and that there is a rich […]
Beaudry Loop in the Verdugo Mountains
Joan and I headed out early on Saturday morning to hike the Beaudry Motorway Loop trail. Why are the trails called “Motorways?” It’s part of the charm of the Verdugo trail system, made largely of fire breaks and limited access roads for the antennae dotting the ridge line. The weather was forecast to reach the […]
Murphy Ranch – The Nazi Compound in Rustic Canyon
This easy 3.1 mile lollipop loop hike in Rustic Canyon has the added bonus of a lesson from one of the more bizarre chapters in Los Angeles history. In the 1930’s, work began on an elaborate complex known as Murphy Ranch. Ostensibly, Ms. Murphy was wealthy heiress who wanted to build a mansion back in […]
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
My gym is about 4 miles from home. And about 4 miles in the opposite direction is the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. This tiny state park is notable mainly for a killer flight of stairs. I find it much more rewarding and satisfying than the StairMaster at the gym, with all the benefits of a […]
Inspiration Loop Trail in Will Rogers State Park
When the heat is on, the coast beckons. This easy, family-friendly hiking trail begins at the historic Pacific Palisades home of Will Rogers and loops up to Inspiration Point. The Inspiration Loop Trail is not challenging. It’s not long. But with balmy breezes, great views, and a dose of history, Inspiration Loop makes a fun outing. We […]
