Green hills, partly cloudy skies, and superb trail running in Lang Ranch Open Space, near Simi Valley California.
From today’s run from Long Canyon to Simi Peak and China Flat.
Related post: Long Canyon to Simi Peak and China Flat
Category Archives: nature
Crystal Filaree
From this morning’s “see how worked my quads are after the Twin Peaks 50K” run at Sage Ranch.
The answer — pretty worked!
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A Welcome Break in a Busy Rainy Season
The weather has calmed in Southern California. Medium range models are forecasting a break of about a week in what has turned out to be a very busy rain season. Over the last 90 days a precipitation pattern typical of El Niño has emerged in the western U.S. This is reflected in rainfall total for Downtown Los Angeles (USC), which is now at 13.2 inches for the water year — 4.78 inches above normal.
The dry weather could not have come at a better time for those affected, or threatened, by mudslides and debris flows. This small slump along a road at Ahmanson Ranch is indicative of the instability that can develop when soil becomes saturated. Had our recent wet pattern been more persistent, mudslides and debris flows might have been much more widespread and devastating.
California Peony
California peony is fairly common in the Santa Monica Mountains and other lower elevation, open space areas of Southern California. It can be found in a variety of habitats, including Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral.
It is a perennial, and has adapted to our demanding climate by dieing back when conditions become hot and dry. Its leaf growth tends to parallel that of annual grasses, and as these grasses become long, lush and green following early Winter rains, you’ll usually find flowering peonies somewhere in the area.
From Saturday’s trail run in Malibu Creek State Park.
Malibu Creek State Park Scenic Loop
While running the Phantom Trail a couple weeks ago, it occurred to me that the Grassland, Talepop, Liberty Canyon and Phantom Trails could be combined with the Bulldog Loop to create a challenging — and very scenic — twenty-something mile trail run.
Just how much longer than twenty depends on which trails you use to connect the Phantom Trail to Crags Rd. I opted to use the Cistern, Lookout, Yearling, and Deer Leg Trails. This variation works out to a little more than 24 miles. Tack on an out and back to the Mesa Peak overlook and you have a marathon length scenic tour of Malibu Creek State Park!
Here’s a Cesium browser View of a GPS trace of my route.
The title photo is a view west from the Cistern Trail to the former site of the Reagan Ranch.
Note: Check for ticks when running here — particularly in the Winter & Spring!
Related post: Malibu Creek State Park Shadow & Sun
Rocky Peak Vernal Pool
One of about a dozen vernal pools in the Rocky Peak area. More than just a puddle, these rainy season pools form as a result of the area’s unique geology.
In my experience, excessive rainfall is not necessary for the pools to form. Normal month-to-month seasonal precipitation is usually sufficient. Their persistence depends on several factors, but in a season with normal to above average precipitation, the pools can last for several months.
From Wednesday’s run on Rocky Peak.
Related post: Vernal Pool at China Flat