Chivo Canyon Peaks and Clouds

Chivo Canyon peaks and clouds
Climbing out of Chivo Canyon on the way to Las Llajas Canyon

From an out and back run between Tapo Canyon and Las Llajas Canyon.

Like the Las Llajas Canyon Trail, this segment of the Chivo Canyon Trail is part of the Rocky Peak 50K course.

Street View: Running to Ahmanson

Victory Blvd. hill near the (locked) Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve Trailhead gate

Sometimes when I’ve driven to the Ahmanson Trailhead to do a run, I’ve wondered what it would be like to run there (and back) from home. Now I know.

It’s a good run. Roundtrip, it was about 8.2 miles, with an elevation gain of about 600′.

The highlight of the run is the climb up Victory Blvd from Valley Circle. There’s a nice view of the San Gabriels from the hill, but not quite as nice as the view from Lasky Mesa!

Street View: Lupine Along Valley Circle Blvd.

Arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus) blooming along Valley Circle Blvd. in the West San Fernando Valley.

Arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus) is one of the first lupines to bloom in the local grasslands and open areas of chaparral. Here it’s blooming along Valley Circle Blvd. in the West San Fernando Valley.

Another early bloomer is miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor), a tiny lupine that is best viewed on your hands and knees. On Lasky Mesa it typically begins to bloom in mid to late February, about the same time as goldfields.

From this morning’s out and back run to check out a local trailhead.