Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Day 913: Charmlee Wilderness Park - Ranch House Ruins - Clyde Canyon - Malibu

Charmlee Wilderness Park 

Day #913 * Hike #1149 * New Track #897
Charmlee Wilderness Park - Malibu, CA

Ranch House Ruins - Clyde Canyon
Friday May 17, 2013
My Tripometer:  1 Hour * 2.25 Miles * +125  Feet


 Trailhead

Directions:
From the 101 Freeway, exit on Westlake Blvd and head south towards Malibu.  Continue down the windy road past Mulhollad and follow the 23 south as it becomes Decker Canyon Road.  Turn left on Encinal Canyon Road and the park entrance will be on the right about 1.25 miles up.  It's easy to pass so just look for the sign as seen in the picture above.  **If you are coming up from the PCH, just follow Encinal Canyon Road uphill for several miles and the park will be on your left.

 Many Trails to Follow (Jog)
(pick up a trail map at this sign)

There are plenty of places to park your car.  I only "noticed" on the way out that you are technically suppose to pay for parking...

 passed a picnic area

 Continue following the Russell Trail forward

 straight ahead to the ruins

 Ranch House Ruins

 Rock Box House

 This is my home

 Views out over a field to the ocean

The trail at the ranch house ends here.  Head back to the last trail junction and turn right to head out towards the field...

 I'm heading over to Clyde Canyon today
I'll come back some other time to check at the reservoir and lower trails

 Looking back across the field

 Continue past the black forest to Clyde Canyon

 Heading down towards the canyon

 made a u-turn here

 lifting back up, out and over - Views!


Passing the Nature Center, back to the car...

Monday, May 20, 2013

Day 911: Jimmy Morrison's Cave - The Doors - Backbone Trail Coral Canyon - Mesa Motorway - Kaslow Natural Preserve

Jimmy Morrison's Cave - The Doors

Day #911 * Hike #1147 * New Track #895
Backbone Trail - Corral Canyon - Malibu, CA

Jimmy Morrison's Cave - The Doors
Mesa Motorway - Kaslow Natural Preserve
Wednesday May 15, 2013
My Tripometer: 2.25 Hourss * 6.25 Miles * +575 Feet


 Welcome to Corral Canyon

Directions:
From the PCH in Malibu, between Kanan and Malibu Canyon Road, turn up Corral Canyon.  There is a traffic light and gas station here so it would be hard to miss.  You'll immediately pass the trailhead entrance to Day 413: Solstice Canyon.  I did this on New Years Day 2012 - THE Saddest Day of my life!!!

Anyhow, continue up Corral Canyon.  First time for me to ever drive up this road and woah, I was completely blown away by the rock formations and open beauty.  At 5 miles in, you'll final reach the trailhead.  If you go just a quarter mile further, you'll reach the end of the road and other trailheads.

Backbone Trail - Mesa Motorway
(New Map - I've done most of the trails)

*******Flash Forward:

MAY 2, 2016: JIM MORRISON CAVE


Back To Day 911:

 Free Parking on the road - past the gate to join the backbone 0.3 miles

 Looking back towards Corral Canyon

 Amazing Rock Formations Everywhere!

Turning right on the backbone trail
(the Jimmy Morrison Cave is just ahead)

The Cave - Nearly looks like a carved out image of him
Inside the Cave
**I'm nearly certain that this is the cave referred to as the Jimmy Morrison Cave.  I only found out about this when two young hikers looking for it asked me about it.  I told them that I had no idea?  I then researched it on the web and it looks like this is it.  Come'on Baby Light My Fire...
 Looking towards the Kaslow Natural Preserve
360 degree views - out over the ocean
And the long Backbone Trail Awaits me
Very little shade, strong running...
 A sign from the aliens
(think I've been in the sun too long)
 Approaching the peak
 Malibu Canyon Road
 Corral Canyon
Trail to Mesa Peak
(I figured that I would do this when I hike from Malibu Canyon Road)
 Suzanne Sharp 1944 - 2013
(My turn around spot)
 All the way back to the Doors
 Trailhead to the left, lets go right...
 Interesting
 trail over the rocks
Deciding to take the extra loop at the end to complete this portion of the Backbone was a great idea!  However, I did get lost for a moment in the rocks.  Just keep your wits about you and make your way back towards the Corral Canyon side.  The trail picks back up and its easy to hike.  Don't try to push through the overgrown.  That's wrong, I know this cause I have scratches to prove it...
The Earth overtakes an old car
Looking up towards Castro Crest
Bulldog Motorway?
I reached the parking lot of trailheads.  From here, you can take the Bulldog or resume on the Backbone 4.2 miles to Latigo Canyon Road.  For me, I will return to complete the 2.6 mile section of the Backbone which leads to Newton Motorway, before Latigo.  I hiked from Latigo to Newton on Day 882.  --This was a good workout.  Would have been a breeze of cake on a bike.  In any event, another 3 miles of the Backbone taken care of.  Of course it takes me over 6 miles just to scratch off 3, but I'm getting there and anticipate completing it before my 1000 Days are up.  And now I have all the maps - so this will happen!

Day 908: Main Beach Park - Heisler Park - Laguna Beach

Beneath Heisler Park

Day #908 * Hike #1144 * New Track #892
Main Beach Park - Laguna Beach, CA

Sunday May 12, 2013
My Tripometer: 3.5 Hourss * 2.25 Miles * +25 Feet


 Trailhead (Street Parking)

Directions:
From the I-5, I-405 and 73 Freeways, exit on Laguna Canyon Road (SR 133) and head south all the way to the Pacific Ocean.  Good luck finding a reasonable place to park.  We tried finding a spot up by Heisler Park but no luck.  We ended up coming back down to the PCH and found a spot just around the corner form Main Beach Park...

 Cross the boardwalk, pass the playground and...

 Ayden Time - Catching the Waves!

 The ladies remained on the busy beach

 No worries, Traffic Guy will help you cross the street

 This was our rental car - NOT!

 Several cool little shops...

Random Bar - The kids karaoke in public for the very first time

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