I had passed by here numerous times on the way to the shooting range, vowing each time that one day I would stop and run up that steep trail and back down again. Today was that day. You head up a paved fire road until you see the first big dirt hill. This is a steep path, at times you can hold your arm out and touch the hill but there are a few segments where it evens out and you can catch your breath. It is not as difficult as the face of Tongva Peak, for instance, but it is still a challenge. The scenery of the 210 Freeway below, the Crescenta Valley, and the San Gabriels about 2 miles in front of you is good, but the other side is a little bit more interesting as you can see the DTLA Skyline. Here, the best views are at the top. There are a few canyons with old growth oaks and some nice, lush, green sycamores totally worthy of a hug if you are a filthy hippie and listening to the Jerry Garcia Band on your I-Pod. I did not see very many people hiking at the time I went, but the area is heavily used by other recreation enthusiasts. You can bring your dogs here and let them run around off the leash and nobody will give a shit. Your children can safely run amok here too. The usual cast of characters, mostly ravens and hawks, was flying overhead. The run down was noteworthy in that there are plenty of good places to land and not a lot of loose dirt and rock. You can get going pretty fast and still be safe. On a final note, I picked a tick off my forearm. It did not bite me, but I am sure it was planning on it. Take the necessary precautions.
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