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Red Box – Bear Canyon – Switzer’s Loop After the Eaton Fire Closure

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Bear Creek in Bear Canyon, Above Arroyo Seco

Bear Canyon wasn’t burned in the Eaton Fire, but was included in the Forest Service Closure Order. It reopened in January of this year (2026). I’ve been curious to check on the condition of the Bear Canyon Trail — not only from lack of access and use, but because of the heavy rain in the San Gabriels over the Winter. The drainage is steep and heavy rain often results in flash floods in the canyon.

The approximately 15.5-mile Red Box – Bear Canyon – Switzer’s Loop is unique in that it passes through one of the least-traveled areas of the Front Range — upper Bear Canyon — and then, just a few miles later, one of the most-traveled — the Gabrielino Trail, below Switzer’s.

One of my favorite parts of the loop is upper Bear Canyon. It has a “middle of nowhere” wilderness character. The cabin site is in an idyllic, isolated location, next to the creek and amid towering firs, alders, and big-leaf maples.

One of the remnant sections of the original trail in Bear Canyon. (thumbnail)
One of the sections of the original trail in Bear Canyon.

Part of the adventure is that you can’t be sure what you’re going to find in Bear Canyon. Sections of trail will be washed out. The trail may be overgrown or blocked by fallen trees. There is always poison oak, and it’s difficult — if not impossible — to avoid. In some years, stinging nettle may also be a problem.

In recent years, largely due to the efforts of the Bear Canyon Trail Crew, the trail in Bear Canyon has been in better shape. That was the case on this trip. Someone had cleared the downed trees from the trail and done other work. A section of trail that is always choked with poison oak had even been trimmed!

That’s not to say that the trailwork has tamed the trail. Good route-finding skills, judgment, and fitness are still essential. There are many stream crossings, washed out sections of trail, and steep drop-offs. Some boulder-hopping is also necessary.

Today, I saw no one from Mt. Lowe Fire Road down to Tom Sloane Saddle, and it was equally empty from the saddle down to the Trail Camp. Three small groups were at the Trail Camp and I encountered three hikers below the Trail Camp.

Plunge pool in Arroyo Seco along the Bear Canyon Trail.
Plunge pool in Arroyo Seco along the Bear Canyon Trail.

As expected, the trail below Switzer’s and down to the area below the waterfalls was very, very busy. Not so busy was the Gabrielino Trail above Switzer’s Picnic Area.

Since I prefer to start the loop at Red Box and do the loop clockwise, it can be hot on this 4+ mile stretch of trail. On hot days, I sometimes top off my water in Bear Canyon, in anticipation of this exposed section of trail.

Well above Switzer’s, I encountered a family on the Gabrielino Trail. They asked the ubiquitous question, “Where are the falls?” And they were not happy to discover Switzer Falls is downstream of Switzer’s Picnic Area — several miles away. This was not the first time I’ve encountered hikers looking for Switzer Falls here.

Explore the Red Box – Bear Canyon – Switzer’s Loop using our high-resolution, 3D-terrain Mapbox-based viewer or our CesiumIon-based viewer.

For additional information and photos, see these related posts:
– Red Box – Bear Canyon – Switzer’s Loop – Memorial Day Weekend 2023
– After the Station Fire: Back to Bear Canyon
– Red Box – Bear Canyon Loop Plus Brown Mountain
– Southern California Creeking: Arroyo Seco – Bear Creek Trail to JPL

ahmanson ranch, birds, nature, nature|wildflowers, photography, photography|wildflowers, photography|wildlife, trails, upper las virgenes canyon open space preserve, wildflowers, wildflowers

Looking for Humboldt Lilies, But Finding Vultures

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Turkey vultures in upper Las Virgenes Canyon. One is in a horaltic pose, with wings widespread.

There’s a run in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch) I refer to as the “Humboldt Lily Run.” I call it that because it’s the only place I’ve found Humboldt lilies (Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum) blooming in the Preserve.

May is a little early for the lilies to be blooming there. But recently, I’ve seen them in full bloom in Santa Ynez Canyon, and nearly so in Bear Canyon and along the Gabrielino Trail below Red Box.

The spot is on the Sheep Corral Trail in upper Las Virgenes Canyon, just before it begins to climb out of the canyon. From the Victory Trailhead, it’s about 3.0 miles to Las Virgenes Canyon via East Las Virgenes Canyon and a connecting fire road. From there, it’s a little over a mile to where the Sheep Corral Trails forks left (northwest) off Las Virgenes Canyon Fire Road, and then another 0.5 mile to the area where the Humboldt lilies sometimes bloom.

This afternoon I had planned to do the Las Virgenes Loop. But when I reached the fire road in upper Las Virgenes Canyon, I turned right (north) and headed up-canyon to see if I could find any lilies in bloom.

I’d been running up the fire road for a few minutes when I noticed an odd, acidic odor. About the same time, the shadow of a large bird passed in front of me. I turned and looked up, expecting to see a red-tailed hawk. Instead, I saw turkey vultures — one circling above and several others perched on a dead snag on the west side of the road.

One of the vultures on the snag had its wings spread wide in a “horaltic pose.” I’ve seen vultures do this on cold mornings, but it was a warm afternoon with the temperature in the eighties. The most common explanation given for this behavior, aside from warming up, is to help cleanse themselves after feeding.

The vultures didn’t appreciate the attention. I had outworn my welcome, and they were beginning to fidget. I turned away from them and continued up the canyon.

As it turned out, I didn’t find any Humboldt lilies, but did see foothill penstemon, yellow monkeyflower, rose snapdragon, white snapdragon, and bush mallow along the way.

When I returned down the canyon, the vultures were nowhere to be seen.

Some related posts:
– Humboldt Lilies in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve
– Upper Las Virgenes Canyon: Humboldt Lily Run
– Checkerspot Feeding on Humboldt Lily Along the Silver Moccasin Trail
– Humboldt Lily

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Above the Clouds on Josephine Peak and Strawberry Peak

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Sunrise view from Josephine Fire Road of the marine layer moving into the San Gabriel Mountains.

The fog was thick on Angeles Forest Highway, and I was relieved to reach the small parking area at Clear Creek Station. The dirt turnout near the junction of Angeles Forest and Angeles Crest Highways was empty at 5:45 am, but would soon fill with eager hikers, runners, and riders.

I was repeating an adventure run I had done last October — a loop over the top of Strawberry Peak to Red Box and Switzer’s, plus an initial side trip to Josephine Peak.

Nearing the top of Josephine Peak. (thumbnail)
Nearing the top of Josephine Peak.

The 16.5-mile route includes miles of fire road, single-track trail, and some steep, exposed rock climbing. As mentioned in other posts, the rock climbing is mostly scrambling, but requires careful route-finding and good judgment. When a climber says a stretch of climbing is “exposed,” it means the consequences of a fall are particularly evident.

I started up the fire road about 6:00 am, and broke out the fog about 15 minutes later. To the west, a nearly full moon was setting over the thick layer of stratus.

The cool weather and superb views seemed to shorten the 2.5-mile (1300′ gain) hike and run to the elongated saddle between Josephine and Strawberry Peaks. This junction is usually the site of an aid station for the Mt. Disappointment 50K and, this year, will be the location of an aid station for the AC100.

Switchback on Josephine Fire Road
Switchback on Josephine Fire Road

It is also the point where the (optional) out-and-back to Josephine Peak begins. Turn left (west) to go to Josephine or turn right (east) to go to (or around) Strawberry Peak. The out and back to Josephine adds about 3 miles and 650′ of elevation gain to the 13.5-mile loop over the top of Strawberry.

I turned left and continued up Josephine Fire Road. Although the average grade is about the same as the rest of the fire road, the running seemed a bit easier. The early morning view of Strawberry, Lawlor, and the Mt. Wilson area peaks was superb from the top of Josephine Peak.

Several runners and hikers were on their way up as I headed down to the “aid station” junction. From there, I ran east on a connecting trail to Josephine Saddle and the Colby Canyon Trail. The use trail to Strawberry Peak branches off the Colby Canyon Trail just east of the saddle.

View of Josephine Peak from the shoulder of Strawberry Peak. (thumbnail)
View of Josephine Peak from the shoulder of Strawberry Peak.

The climb of Strawberry went well, as did the rest of the loop. There were many hikers on the summit and on their way up from Red Box. The trail on the Red Box side of the peak faces the sun and is often beyond hot. Even on this relatively cool day, the temperature was in the mid-70s at 9:30 a.m.

Between Red Box and Switzer’s, a solo mountain biker came bashing down the Gabrielino Trail. He wasn’t using a bike bell, but was going fast enough on the rocky trail that his bike made a lot of noise. I was able to get out of the way before he went hammering by. It was on one of the more technical sections of trail, and at the bottom, I found him trying to fix a flat tire. Later, he passed me—going slower this time—with the tire still flat.

Explore the loop over the top of Strawberry Peak and other trails in the area using our high-resolution, 3D-terrain Mapbox-based viewer or our CesiumIon-based viewer.

Some related posts:
– Loop Over Strawberry Peak, Plus Josephine Peak
– Strawberry Peak Traverse
– Two Sides of Strawberry Peak
– Dealing with the Heat on Strawberry Peak and San Gabriel Peak
– Strawberry Peak, Switzer’s and the Old Colby Trail

adventures, backbone trail, landscape, los angeles, malibu creek state park, nature, nature|weather, nature|wildflowers, photography, photography|landscape, photography|wildflowers, running, running|adventures, santa monica mountains, southern california, trails, trails|malibu creek state park, weather, weather, weather|southern california, wildflowers, wildlife

Morning Fog – Malibu Creek State Park

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Morning Fog - Malibu Creek State Park

The title photograph, Morning Fog – Malibu Creek State Park, was taken just before sunrise from the Cistern Trail, at the start of a trail run I call the “Bulldog Loop Plus.”

The “Plus” is for the extra elevation gain and mileage that results from starting the run at the Cistern Trail, instead of the main MCSP parking lot or at Tapia Park.

Unlike the record-setting heat we experienced in March, April has seen puffy, postcard clouds, and pleasant temperatures.

Santa Monica Mountains from near the top of Bulldog Mtwy. (thumbnail)
Santa Monica Mountains from near the top of Bulldog Mtwy.

The morning I did this run (April 11), the seasonal bridge on the way to the M*A*S*H hadn’t been installed. Some well-placed logs, just downstream of the bridge site, made the crossing of Malibu Creek relatively straightforward — at least I managed not to fall into the waist-deep water!

Update April 21, 2026. According to a note on the MCSP website, the seasonal bridge has been reinstalled.

With the fantastic weather, the view east from near the top of the Bulldog climb was spectacular! The near-perfect conditions made for easy running.

As has been the case all Spring, wildflowers were abundant. Woolly bluecurls were particularly plentiful along the Lookout Trail. The intriguing structure and symmetry. of this salisfy in Tapia Park caught my eye.

Sun and shadow on the Mesa Peak Mtwy segment of the Backbone Trail. (thumbnail)
Sun and shadow on the Mesa Peak Mtwy segment of the Backbone Trail.

There are two crossing of Malibu Creek on this loop — one at the seasonal bridge and another in Tapia Park. Today, I’d intended to cross the creek directly, following a use trail just west of the bridge on Malibu Canyon Road, but the rocks used to cross the creek were underwater. Not in the mood to soak my shoes or take them off, I opted to use the pedestrian walkway on the highway bridge.

The Bulldog Loop Plus is about 16 miles, with around 3200′ of elevation gain/loss. Here’s an interactive, high resolution, 3-D terrain view of the route using our new Mapbox-based viewer or our CesiumIon viewer.

Some related posts:
– Wonderful Wildflowers, a Seasonal Bridge, and a Cranky Rattlesnake on the Bulldog Loop
– Bulldog Loop Plus the Phantom Loop
– A Long Run Kind of Day
– Trees, Bees, and a Washed-Out Footbridge on the Bulldog Loop in Malibu Creek State Park
– Spring Fever Running the Phantom Loop in Malibu Creek State Park

ahmanson ranch, birds, nature, nature|wildlife, photography, photography|wildlife, trails, upper las virgenes canyon open space preserve, wildlife

Northern Harrier Cruising in East Las Virgenes Canyon

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Northern Harrier Cruising in East Las Virgenes Canyon

Raptors are not nearly as prevalent in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch) as they were just a few years ago.

Until recently, a number of raptor species were routinely observed at the Preserve, including the red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, and northern harrier. White-tailed kites were also seen from time-to-time.

My encounters with these birds peaked in 2020 and have dramatically declined since that time. The red-tailed hawk is the most resilient of the group, and there are indications of a rebound in its population at Ahmanson.

I used to see a pair of northern harriers on Lasky Mesa, but now see only one. The last time I photographed an American kestrel at Ahmanson was October 2024. Sightings of white-tailed kites have become few and far between.

Following are some of my posts about these birds:

December 14, 2012
Northern Harrier Turning to Strike

November 14, 2017
Under a Falcon’s Eye

April 8, 2019
The First Snakes of Spring

March 3, 2020
American Kestrel Pair in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve

July 16, 2020
Kestrel Encounter

July 30, 2020
American Kestrel on a fence post on Lasky Mesa.

August 5, 2020
Male American Kestrel on Lasky Mesa.

August 11, 2020
Red-tailed Hawk Encounter

October 28, 2020
Another Red-tailed Hawk Encounter

November 5, 2020
Northern Harrier on Lasky Mesa

November 12, 2020
Red-tailed hawk on Lasky Mesa with prey.

nature, nature|wildfire, nature|wildflowers, photography, photography|wildflowers, topanga state park, trails, wildfire, wildflowers, wildflowers

Yellow Monkeyflower Along the Garapito Trail Following the Palisades Fire

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Yellow Monkeyflower Along the Garapito Trail Following the Palisades Fire

The title photo is of yellow monkeyflower (Diplacus brevipes) along a sunny stretch of the Garapito Trail about 1.1 mile from Fire Road #30.

This is about three-quarters of a mile from where the westward advancement of the Palisades Fire was stopped.

Even though this section of the Garapito Trail was not inside the published fire perimeter, smoke or heat from the fire may have promoted the growth of plants usually associated with burned areas.

Yellow monkeyflower tends to be more common in burn areas, and the wildflowers in the background, large-flowered Phacelia and common Phacelia, are fire followers.

The photo was taken on a run of the Trippet Ranch Loop, from the Top of Reseda on March 29, 2026.

Some related posts:
– Top of Reseda Trail Runs Following the January 2025 Palisades Fire
– Trippet Ranch Loop After the Palisades Fire and a Lot of Rain
– Fire Followers Along the Fossil Ridge Trail