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.
Chivo Canyon Peaks and Clouds
Category Archives: trails
Top of Las Llajas
That’s Oat Mountain from near the top of the climb up and out of Las Llajas Canyon. Here’s another view, down the canyon.
The route up the canyon is a demanding part of the Rocky Peak 50K and 30K courses.
Street View: Running to Ahmanson
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!
Strawberry Peak and San Gabriels’ High Country from Josephine Peak
A hazy view of Strawberry Peak (6164′) and the high country of the San Gabriel Mountains from Josephine Peak.
Here’s a zoomed view of the high country with the peaks identified.
Raven Soaring Near the Summit of Rocky Peak
From a run and hike to the summit of Rocky Peak on March 21, before the MRCA/Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy closures.
Goldfields Are Blooming and Valley Oaks Greening!
Goldfields are tiny wildflowers, but their bright yellow color more than makes up for their diminutive size.
Goldfields bloomed a little early on Lasky Mesa this year. Depending on the conditions, they usually begin to bloom in mid-February. Because of this rain year’s wet December and dry January-February, the goldfields began to bloom a little early — around February 4. The flowers aren’t as numerous as last year, but there are still a few small patches of goldfields to be seen.
Usually, about the same time goldfields begin to bloom, valley oaks are starting to sprout new, bright green leaves. This Winter, the foliage on valley oaks at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch) began to turn brown in mid-December and I saw the first new leaves begin to sprout at the end of February. This sprawling valley oak is in East Las Virgenes Canyon.