Echo Mountain via Ridge Line Trail

Fully exposed, but a true challenge especially if you are running or jogging. This trail is similar to the West ridge at Brand Park that terminates at Mt. Tongva. You do this trail to work out as it has no other function. You can head up a little trail that cuts up the hill to the left of the reservoir, or go straight through the Cobb Estate and go up the face. The electrical towers are about halfway. Not as scenic as the Lower Sam Merrill Trail, in fact not very scenic at all, but today there was a lot of yucca in full bloom. Up at the top, head down the trail to Echo Mountain, or continue as we did to Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon for a total of 10 mi. Today, in addition to the yucca, you could not pick a better time to see the wildflowers. They are sublime. We also ran into a large doe, a fast moving garter snake, beautiful raven, noisy scrub jays, and have you ever seen a hummingbird sitting still on the top of a yucca plant? The head and tail are red and purple. I got burned like a Branch Davidian up there even though I used sunscreen. You have been forewarned. Also, there is a spring on the Castle Canyon Trail with a nice flow, but you will have to filter the water.

Sports Chalet

Choose radiance and health. Buy Merrill Barefoot Trail Running shoes here for half price during their clearance sale currently in effect. Choose mental freedom over anxiety and depression. Put on those new shoes and go the distance. Choose your brain's poly pharmacy over the CVS Pharmacy. Serious exercise, serious diet, seriously taking care of yourself will make everything else fall into place. Share it with others. Try and convince your family members to develop proper exercise habits. Take your children along and get them started with healthy activities at a young age instead of giving them amphetamines. Walk past Cinnabon without temptation. Walk right past See's Candy. Go into Sport's Chalet. Complete the holy trinity and get a good sleeping bag and a water purification filter. Get on the trail. Start breathing and start living. Reject diabetes. Reject heart disease. Reject sleep apnea. Discover exercise. Discover the outdoors. Discover stores like Sport Chalet with good cheap shoes on sale and feel the eye of the tiger.