Griffith Park Jan. 16, 2010

I went for a hike this morning in Griffith Park before heading in for work. A few new friends have have arrived this week along the trail. I'm still trying to get used to the seasons here in Southern California. The Sycamore trees are finally losing their leaves which would normally be a sign of autumn in Maryland. However, the wildflowers are beginning to sprout here, which usually is a sign of Spring in the middle eastern states.

I don't know what these spectacular orange flowers are. I couldn't find them in my research which makes me wonder if they are an invasive species.

Cloudy skies are a sign of things to come this week. One thing that is of particular interest for PCT thru hikers is the depth of the snow pack in the Sierra. It is often the determining factor in regards to the optimum starting date. If a hiker arrives to the Sierra too early, then he or she may have to wait until enough snow melts to allow safe passage. At this moment, snow levels are about, to slightly below average. Sounds like that is about to change. It's supposed to rain most of the week here in LA, and the Sierra is supposed to get inundated with snow. Last I heard, weather forecasters were predicting measurements by the yard, not by feet. Great news for drought stricken California.

Feltleaf Everlasting (above)

Castor Bean (above)

I had to remind myself to tread lightly. Before taking the above photograph of the 134, I stomped up the hillside and unfortunately scared off a small fox or coyote that was walking in the grass. Probably would have been a great picture opportunity had I been a little more careful.

This red tailed hawk (below) flew about 10 feet next to me as he was swooping down into the grass to perhaps find some breakfast. It was an incredible sight.

Canterbury bells (above)

Thank you Lord, for the opportunity to see and experience the work of Your hand...

The Curse of Griffith Park

The Curse of Griffith Park.

Sandstone Peak

Wooly Blue Curls (above)

Sandstone Peak is the highest mountain in the Santa Monica Mountain Range at 3111 ft. As you can see, it was another glorious day in Southern California. It's the first time in a while I've been to the coast and there wasn't a huge layer of fog obstructing the views.

I actually hiked this mountain within the first month of moving to LA in the spring of 2008. I found today's hike to be more enjoyable. The first thing I noticed was the smell in the mountains. It reminded me of a smell I experienced the first time I visited the southern Sierra in the fall of 2008. The smell was smokey, almost like a BBQ, and made me hungry while hiking. I'm not sure what produces the aroma. I'm guessing the juniper bushes or sage plants. I don't really know for certain.

I hiked the Mishe Mokwa loop, about a six mile round trip. All in all, I felt blessed to be outside, walking amongst God's creation, and learning more about the mountains in this part of Southern California.

Looking east towards the good ol' San Gabriel's. (distant peaks)

Hoaryleaf Ceanothus (above)

Wild Cucumber (above)

Deerweed(above)

Chaparral Currant (above)

Manzanita (above)

Shooting Stars

When I came across a small patch of shooting stars today, it was like revisiting old friends from the Sierra. Their shape is so distinct, I always enjoyed seeing them along various streams along the John Muir Trail.

The Channel Islands in the distant Pacific Ocean.

Snow capped Mt. Baldy in the distance.

W. Herbert Allen

Skyline Trail (Griffith Park)

I woke up early this morning to take a hike before heading to work for the day. I took a trail in Griffith Park that I've never done before called the Skyline Trail. It's amazing how seeing the same mountains every day, but at different angles, is rejuvenating. The weather has been absolutely perfect lately, and it was an ideal morning to break in my new trail runners. They arrived in the mail a couple of days ago and I intend to hike the Pacific Crest Trail with them. I've always used boots in the past when hiking long distances, but trail runners seem to be the shoe of choice amongst veteran thru-hikers. I thought I'd give them a shot.

Mule fat (male flowers, above)

Twiggy Wreathplant (above)

I found myself being drawn towards the wildflowers again today. In what appears to be a barren landscape at times, the flowers add excitement to my hikes strangely enough. I never know what will be blooming day after day, and when I stumble across a specimen I've never seen before, it's like finding a 10 dollar bill on the ground. I've noticed that I can spot flowers growing in places that I couldn't see before. It's like my eyes have been opened, and my spirit enriched. I started thinking about other areas where one's life could be enriched while hiking. Knowledge of the rocks, clouds, stars, animals, trees, just to name a few. I started thinking about other areas outside of hiking that would be interesting to discover, if only my eyes were opened.

When I flew back to LA last week, I saw a man walking in Dulles airport staring in awe of some cables that I assume were holding up the ceiling. He must have been an engineer or something. Judging by the expression on his face, I almost thought he was walking in Yosemite Valley looking up towards Half Dome. Clearly, this man was enjoying what he was seeing. It's almost as if there is treasure awaiting anyone who is willing to slow down a bit and look for it, whether it's outside on a trail, or inside an airport.

First Lupine of 2010!

It's interesting, when I lived on the East Coast, whenever I would go hiking in a mountainous area, I found my eyes being drawn to the West knowing that's where adventure and wilderness seemed to be found. Now that I am in Southern California and the Pacific Ocean is only 20 miles to the West, I find my eyes being drawn North towards the Sierra, straining to perhaps catch a glimpse of a distant snowy peak.

Wishbone Bush (above)

South Coast Morning Glory (above)

View towards Tongva Peak (yesterday's hike.)