Go West: California Highlights

Traveling, Camping and Hiking My Way Westward

Trails/Parks: Chumash Museum Trail, Thousand Oaks, CA; Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas, CA; Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, Woodland Hills, CA

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Slow and Steady

Settled in with family the days stretched ahead of me. Days of rest, days of learning, days to enjoy the beauty of the Santa Monica and Simi Mountains. My arrival to California would be filled with beautiful landscapes, delicious food, family and more spectacular sunsets. This would be my space to reset, to be surrounded by love.

Sunset Wishes

#53 of my 2023 52 Hike Challenge

Early one evening my sister-in-law suggested we go for a hike. I readily agreed, not paying attention to where she mentioned we’d be going. We quickly got ready and hopped into the car. Chatting as she drove, it didn’t register with me until I saw the hill. Last year when I’d visited, my brother had pointed this park out and I’d said a definite no, thankful we’d spent the day hiking elsewhere.

Growing up in the Midwest, what we call mountains are simply hills. Yes, I’m willing to admit it. The hill up to the park we’d hike had been steeper than I was comfortable that first drive by a year earlier. But now I was in the passenger seat heading up that hill. I took a deep breath and decided right there I would, and could, do this hike.

As we got out of the car, I shared my reaction the previous year. Colleen offered to go elsewhere. I declined. It was time to face the fear welling up in my body and brain. In a much better mental place this time around I was going to face the hike head on in the company of someone I trust and love. As she set the pace, I focused on the beautiful evening and the trail ahead of me. The conversation drifted to my fear of heights and the conditions when I’m most uncomfortable. Eventually I had to change the subject, shifting to her business and my travel plans heading home.

A few times I looked up and across to the second half of the trail, seeing it would take all my energy to handle the steep and exposed portion. As long as I kept moving it would be fine. We got to the top of the wishbone, stopping to take in the view before heading down the other side of the trail. The sun was starting to set, sending off beautiful rays of golden yellow and orange.

The way down was a lot, but I made it. Afterward telling my brother about where we’d gone gave us all a good laugh. Will I go again? Maybe. Especially if I’ve got company who hear my concerns, respect them and meet me where I am in the moment.

Recollections of 2022 SoCal Hiking

#44, #45, #46, #48, and #49 hikes of my 2022 52 Hike Challenge

As I settled into the daily routine in southern California, I thought back to my trip west in 2022. That trip included a variety of hiking for me to reflect on. Many days after work on that trip a hike waited for me. Proximity to so many hiking trails kept me busy and gave me a chance to get to reconnect with my brother in a new way.

Hiking the trails at Wildwood Regional Park, part of the Conejo Open Space, near sunset gave me space to unwind from days of learning new processes and tools during my workday. The broad trails with dirt dry from the droughts which have plagued much of the western U.S. serve not just as recreational opportunities, but also help as fire breaks. The scars of past fires are still visible on the trees. I appreciated the wide trails as I got comfortable with the terrain, more mountainous than I’m used to. A hike on the Stagecoach Bluff trail pushed my comfort zone, though I managed through it solo more successfully than I’d expected. The cool evening air and views made the hike worth the effort it took to overcome my anxiety.

Another evening found me at the Wistful Vista Open Space in the Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District. I’d left my accommodations in my running shoes not prepared for the first trail entrance which was incredibly steep and slippery due to the dry, crumbly ground and the lack of tread on those shoes. I ended up having to turn back, walking to the next, less steep entrance to the trails. I wandered through the Open Space until my path eventually led me to one of the boarding roads where I turned back.

The Palo Comado & Cheesboro Canyons trails located in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, filled other evenings with hikes while my brother’s running group tackled long runs. Again, I appreciated the wide trails, taking time to stop, listen and snap photos. Flowers peeked from the dry brush, beetles made their way across the trail. As sunset came, the winds picked up while orange filled the sky over the mountains.

A free Saturday found us at China Flat Trail. I’d had a long week and was tired. A little on edge. We headed up the trail gaining elevation quickly. A steep, narrow spot on the trail brought me to a full stop. I simply didn’t have the mental space for it. I felt out of shape, fragile. We turned back. I still wanted to hike, so a short drive later we were at the Autumn Ridge Trail in Oakbrook Regional Park. The slow rise on broad trails made the hike exactly what I needed. In the end, we weren’t far from the original trail, but the approach to the top made the difference in my ability to hike the trail. It was a good reminder to be open to different approaches, literally and figuratively.

Malibu and M*A*S*H

#47 of my 2023 52 Hike Challenge

My favorite hike of my visit was the day we took to hike Malibu Creek State Park in Calabasas, CA. Formerly owned by Fox Studios, the park covers more than 8,000 acres of tallgrass plains, oak savannahs and dramatic peaks. Thousands of years ago the Chumash settled the area and are still a key part of the Calabasas community, still informing ways to care for the land. The rugged beauty of the park is now home to many trails used for recreational pursuits. It’s easy to spend a full day exploring these trails.

Hiking with my brother, we took the trails which would lead us to the Fox Studios former M*A*S*H site where many of the outdoor scenes were filmed between 1972 and 1983. The day was sunny and hot. We’d stopped at our favorite Italian deli to get lunch, which we’d eat when we got to the studio site. We started from a trailhead access off Muholland Highway following the trails as they rise and fall. Our destination is about three miles from the trailhead. As we hiked closer to the site, my brother asked if any of it looked familiar from the TV series. While I didn’t get that impression, I did see how the area had the “feel” of the series. At the filming location there are interpretive panels, an old vehicle, the “helicopter” pad and a covered seating area. I was surprised at how small size of the area use for filming.

We took a break to eat our sandwiches, cool in the heat of the day. Our conversation punctuated with jabs and laughter. Having a whole day with my brother hiking was a gift. Our lives taking such different paths. To different parts of the country. Building lives which fit our personalities. Yet here we were sharing a love for the outdoors which has become richer in recent years.

We approach out outdoor pursuits from decidedly different places. We love sharing our favorite places with others, while understand the complexities of protecting them from being over loved. We share the dilemmas of access and know these lands don’t belong to anyone really.

Hiking back to the car we continued our rambling conversation. He put up with my frequent stops to look at the vegetation and views. Back at the car we made the next important decision – where would we get dinner? The beautiful day had worn me out in the best way.

Slow and Steady

My last hike in 2023 with my brother would be a short one. He was recovering from an injury so long hikes were out of the question. I’d mentioned I would like to visit the Chumash Indian Museum so we decided to spend a few hours at the museum and taking a very short hike from the museum. The trails surrounding the museum are part of Oakbrook Regional Park in the Conejo Park and Recreation District (CRPD). The non-profit museum is managed by the Oakbrook Park Chumash Indian Corporation.

The museum contains artifacts and interpretative displays of the Chumash tribe history. Our visit included the opportunity to see an art exhibit of works by Chumash artists. I appreciated the opportunity to understand the cultural impact of the Chumash.

As I’ve been exploring during my travels, I’m seeking to learn more about the indigenous perspectives of land, language and culture. How a wholistic view of the place of humans as part of our environment versus dominance over it. How seasonal changes are critical to survival. Finding beauty in the native plants and landscapes, no matter how unfamiliar. Slowing down in my outdoor activities has allowed for me to have a deeper, richer relationship with my sense of place.

Next Post Preview: After two weeks in California, I turn my travels eastward. Revisiting a National Park with more time to explore leads to more unexpected experiences.

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This travel, hike and camping took place on the traditional territory of the Nüwüwü (Chemehuevi), Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Newe Sogobia (Western Shoshone), Yuhaaviatam/Maarenga’yam (Serrano), Tongva (Gabrieleno), Chumash, Fernandeño Tataviam and  Ventureño Chumash who have stewarded this land for time immemorial. I respect the histories, languages and cultures of these peoples, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant and changing communities. Join me in learning more about the tribes and these lands, by following the links provided.

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HOME AWAY FROM HOME: My adventure camper is a lovely little teardrop made-to-order by the incredibly talented people at Vistabule in St. Paul, MN.

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GEAR: Granite Gear Crown2 38 Pack,Marmot Kompressor Pack,Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof,Oboz Katabic Low,Mountain Hardware Stretchdown™ Light Jacket, Mountain Hardware Stretchdown™ Pant,REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket,REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie,REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Pants, Gnara Go There™ Pants, Chickfly Merino Eucalyptus Leggings,Icebreaker Women’s Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings, SPOT GEN3 Satellite GPS Messenger, Dueter Dirtbag, Kula Cloth, Leki Women’s Micro Vario Cor-Tec TA trekking poles, Nemo Dragonfly™ Ultralight Backpacking Tent, Nemo Sonic™ 0 Down Sleeping Bag,Paria Thermodown 30 down quilt, Exped Ultra 7R Mat,REI Flash 3-Season Sleeping Pad, Thermarest Z Seat™,MSR Pocket Rocket Stove, TOAKS Titanium 450ML Cup with Lid, MSR® IsoPro™ Fuel.

Want to know more about my gear selections? Head on over to Gear & Gadgets or check out my posts titled “Gear in Review”.

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