Here are some iphone photos from some recent trips out and about in California. I have been visiting Azusa a lot lately, either by motorcycle ride through the twisties or just for hiking and exploring. They also have an off road park that I plan on attacking with the FJ. Living in an urban setting and being able to escape to such remote surrounding so quickly makes all this traffic and busyness worth while. 

It's hard to believe that this abandoned bridge/road project from 1936 sits by itself 5 miles into the San Gabriel Mountains. Also hard to believe that you can hike here and pay to bungee jump off of it.

San Gabriel River water is incredibly clear and refreshing. I believe it is fresh Mountain Spring and snow runoff trickling it's way through the mountains. Coke bottle green and cold as can be. This trail follows the river the entire time leading you to strange rock formations, fools gold, and other rocks I can't explain. Seriously, what is this rock and how did it become so psychedelic? I need a geology book.















I saw this fella slithering by. This is a protected species in California. It's either a Alameda Striped Racer or a California Striped Racer. Not sure which one it is, but quite the elegant snake species.


This man was panning for gold near the trail head. About 7 miles in we came across a lot of vagabond gold hunters with eye patches and such. Strange to see them that far out into the mountains. I've heard there is an old mine cave, but we were unable to find it.


We lost the trail a few times and had to take some less than desirable cross overs to get back on the trail One of which involved an attack by a yucca plant.


Wrong turn. Scooting down the cliff. I found a brand  new cell phone at the bottle of this and managed to return it a few days later to it's owner. She was pretty happy about that.






Various spots along the river where water runs from the side walls, causing plants and algae to grow amongst the rocks.


In a little over 7 hours we finished this trek. Probably the prettiest and longest hike I have ever been on. Nick is working on moving back to LA and we will probably make our next Azusa trip an overnight stay.






Angeles Forest: Mountain Spillway Irrigation path

I pulled over on Angeles Crest and hiked down into a ravine. I found this tunnel that directs the rainwater and snow runnoff down to the base of the mountains and decided to see what is inside. I was hoping I wouldn't encounter a bear or homeless mountain man, but was too curious not to venture into this dark abyss. "Whada idiot!"


The spillway went straight down. I walked as far as I could until I would have just fallen off the edge. This is one of those times that the wide lens on the Iphone is not an accurate gauge of how steep this actually was. Obviously some jerks have been here tagging the place up.



When I came out, I noticed that this dry mountain side had a patch of green about a half a mile up the irrigation path. I decided to hike up the mountain side and look poke around for snakes. When I got to the top I was covered in bugs, which is fairly rare here and could tell there was water somewhere. Sure enough, I came upon a trickling little stream.


No luck finding any snakes, but I did happen on to this fella. A California Tree Frog hopped right in front of me. I did not expect to find a tree frog on this dry mountain side.


Opossum jaw?


Malibu Creek

Monica and I visited Malibu creek and we met some tadpoles. This place is beautiful and I do recommend going, but holy cannoli was this place crowded. I am in no hurry to come back here, but the volcanic rock formations were really cool and the best part was spotting a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake crossing our path as we were leaving. If you ever decide to go, go early.