There’s snow in just about every mountain range of Southern California following last week’s series of storms. This subdued sunset view is of the Simi Valley and the Topatopa Mountains.
From this evening’s run in the Simi Hills.
Will Rogers Western Ranch House
Running down the service road toward the polo field, the lawn of the historic 31-room ranch house was impossibly green. Several inches of rain and the low angle of the Winter sun combined to produce a green of remarkable vibrancy.
I was about 10 miles into a 21.5 mile trail run in the Santa Monica Mountains, winding my way through Will Rogers State Historic Park. The popular park consists of the ranch house, polo field, stables, riding arenas, picnic areas, and hiking trails. Built in about 1926, the ranch was deeded to the State of California as a historic park in 1944.
And about that green lawn; I guess it just makes sense that a western ranch with a polo field would have a four hole golf course that doubles as a front lawn.
Here’s a brochure and a self-guided tour from the Park’s web site.
Some related posts: Will Rogers – Temescal Loop, Los Angeles Basin Fog, Curvilinear
Clearing Skies
Six days of rain had finally come to an end. Soaked hillsides steamed in the morning sun; but still in shadow, tussocks of grass along the dirt road wore a thick coat of frost. Running west on the main drag in Ahmanson Ranch, we were working our way over to Cheeseboro Canyon.
Whether the conditions were imperfect or perfect was a matter of perspective. Yes, it had been a little muddy and wet, but that was part of the experience, and part of the morning.
In some places droplets of water refracted and reflected tiny spectra of color, while in others flat plates of frost glittered in the sun. Running along a rejuvenated creek, the smell of wet earth mixed with the rich organic odors of old willow leaves and other vegetation.
Away from the trailhead there was not a hiker, runner, rider or mountain biker to be seen. Remarkably, even in Cheeseboro Canyon no one was on the trail.
Sometimes I’m asked,”What are you training for?” Being able to enjoy a run like today’s is my reply.
Miner’s Lettuce Along the Garapito Trail
In the lower elevations of Southern California, miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) usually sprouts in mid Winter. It is typically found in shady areas of the chaparral understory. It grows in nearly every county of California, and probably occurs in all but the most arid parts of the western U.S.
Miner’s Lettuce was reportedly eaten by Gold Rush miners to help prevent scurvy.
From today’s run on the Garapito Trail, in the Santa Monica Mountains, near Los Angeles.
No Plan Required
Today I did the kind of running I most enjoy — the “not sure which trails I’m going to run; I’ll figure it out when I get there” kind.
Starting at Malibu & Mulholland in Malibu Creek State Park, I headed north on the Grassland Trail, and then ad-libbed from there. The result was a meandering route involving the Grassland, Talepop, Liberty Canyon, Phantom, Cistern, Lookout, Yearling, Deer Leg, and Cage Creek Trails, as well as Crags Rd.
It had been at least a couple of years since I was on these trails, and I’d forgotten just how varied and scenic they are.
Shooting Star Sunset
If there has been adequate rainfall, shooting stars (prob. Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. patulum) can germinate and bloom in early January at some lower elevation areas of Southern California.
From a run earlier this week in the Simi Hills.
Related post: Shooting Stars