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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
On today’s run, a muted morning sun highlighted Castle Peak in a tree-framed view from Valley Circle Blvd. This native bush sunflower (Encelia californica) was happily growing along a side street.
With MRCA/Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy lands and trails closed, local State Parks closed, and County trails closed, street views will be the norm for a while.
Related post: Castle Peak