Encinal Canyon is named for encina, the Spanish word for the holm oak, a lovely Mediterranean tree with holly characteristics. Holm oaks are one of the main trees used to establish truffle orchards, but we'll be nosing around the canyon strictly for its beauty. The trail from Encinal is a smooth, firm, and well-traveled singletrack- […]

I have cancelled this hike today, I think the ground will be too wet. Directions: From Los Angeles, take the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) north, 22 miles from Malibu Canyon Rd. Across the street from Thornhill Broome Beach is the entrance to La Jolla Canyon. It is very clearly marked. Turn right. From Ventura, take […]

For those of you who missed this hike last week, here's another chance. There may be more than one hike posted for Thursday - please only sign up for one! And if you can't make it, please cancel as early as possible so waitlisted folks can get notice and attend. See the photos for vignettes […]

This is a second hike for Thursday because the first one if full. We will go up the Ray Miller trail to the fire road and back, about 6 miles. We may see poppies and other flowers. We’ll enjoy beautiful ocean views as we descend. Lying along the brilliant blue Pacific Ocean at the west […]

I pre-hiked the trail this morning. The name “Zuma” is derived from the Chumash language and means “abundance.” There is an absolute abundance of beautiful and spectacular wildflowers engulfing the entire area and it appears that there was no impact from the Woolsey fire other than a few remnants of burnt trees. We will start […]

Let's go see what's in bloom in one of our favorite hiking spots, Newton Canyon to Buzzard's Roost! This area was burned over in the Woolsey fire, but spring brings wildflowers, freely flowing water, and a few waterfalls, including the Upper Newton Canyon falls. We’ve seen lupines, poppies, lilies, and a real rarity - Indian […]

On this hike, we'll repeat our December hike where we took Las Llajas Canyon to a climb up a sweeping trail to the abandoned Coquina mine and visit the steam shovel that has been rusting patiently there for decades. According to Scott, the wildflowers are great in Las Llajas Canyon right now. This is also […]

This is an easier hike for Thursday, another has also been posted, please only sign up for one hike. This hike is 5 miles and will take us on a less-traveled but quite beautiful part of the 67-mile Backbone Trail, which runs through the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area from Will Rogers State Park […]

We will start early to beat the heat, entering the north branch of Lynnmere Trail via Thistle Trail, which connects the north and south branches of Lynnmere Trail. The Lynnmere Trail is high above Thousand Oaks, providing pleasant scenery along the Conejo Canyons, Wildwood Park, Paradise Falls, Boney Mountain, the Pacific Ocean, and glimpses of […]