It was pretty windy here at the coast, but I found a sheltered spot in Topanga State Park to sketch-hike (sketchike?). Even though I once lived in Topanga, I’d never explored Dead Horse Trail, part of the Backbone Trail system. I’m glad I checked it out; it’s short but very pretty.
I was minding my own business, sketching the riparian plants in a secluded spot by Malibu Creek, when I was suddenly aware that I was not alone. In fact, a Large Creature was right at my back. I was so startled—and then immediately relieved that it was not a mountain lion* or a crazy human. It took a second for my adrenaline to calm down and for me to start sketching the friendly doe, who slowly (silently!) wandered off. I aspire to be so quiet in the wilds.
* A pet dog was taken by a lion a couple of days ago, a few miles from here.
It’s easy to take the wrong turn on the Corral Canyon loop trail and end up climbing way up the mountain. I managed to do so AGAIN today. I eventually realised my error and backtracked; I’m *pretty* sure I won’t make that mistake a third time.
There aren’t many wildflowers out yet, but the grounds of the burned out house are full of naturalized garden flowers, including African flag, periwinkles, and the ubiquitous oxalis. I gathered a baggie of sour flowers to try making ink — more to come on that!
Today I found a lovely sit spot under a big oak beside Liberty Creek, in a less-visited part of Malibu Creek State Park. Sadly, even here there was styrofoam litter, which I duly collected. On my way back to the car I thought I saw a bunch of tennis balls nestled among the mustard, and reached in to add them to my bag ‘o trash. But they were ripe calabazillas or stinking gourds (Cucurbita foetidissima). The vine had completely died back, leaving just the fruit. Tricked me!
King Gillette Ranch houses the visitor center and joint headquarters for California State Parks and the National Park Service in the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s named for millionaire businessman King C. Gillette (inventor of the disposable razor blade) who owned the property from 1926 to 1939 and built some of the structures on the 360 acre property. There are easy hiking trails and lots of places to picnic (and sketch).
The hills are green from last month’s rain, though they won’t stay that way for long. A few wildflowers are flourishing—we saw California Buttercups (Ranunculus californicus), Golden Currants (Ribes aureum), and Wild Peonies (Paeonia californica). There is no rain in the forecast, so I think it’s going to be a short spring.
When we settled down to sketch, S told me that the movie How Green Was My Valley (1941) was filmed in the valley ahead, which is, ironically, rarely green; but the movie was filmed in black and white so I guess that didn’t matter. The old water tank we could see on a distant knoll was erected to provide the Welsh rain. Ah, movie magic.
A cool shady canyon with a pretty waterfall at the end, in Topanga State Park. Right now the creeks are flowing and the poison oak is plentiful. Suitably attired, it’s a lovely place to hike on a warm day.
Spent a lovely morning with V & S at Point Dume, picking up both trash and treasures, looking for whales (none seen) and enjoying the warm winter day.
Hiked with V & H to Triunfo Lookout. I was last there right after the Woolsey Fire and the landscape was bleak. Now we see blackened trunks among the green—and the vernal pond is full 🙂
I picked up a lot of litter around the trail head, including a new-ish pair of very muddy Nike Airs (unfortunately not my size). I guess someone didn’t want to get back in their car with muddy shoes so decided to just toss them in the bushes 🤷🏻♀️ I will wash and donate them.
Serrano Valley is located in Point Mugu State Park, at the westernmost end of the Santa Monica Mountains. While I’ve hiked nearby Sycamore Canyon many times, this was my first time venturing into the valley.
hashiworks 