A native of the Mediterranean, Milk Thistle is an invasive weed that appears to be increasingly profuse in roadside areas of Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve. Generally considered detrimental in the wild, the plant has been used medicinally for at least 2000 years, and is cultivated in Texas, Canada and Argentina.

Cucumber Beetles (Acalymma trivittata) munching on the pistillate blossom of the wild gourd Calabazilla (Cucurbita foetidissima). The photograph is from Sunday's Ahmanson-Cheeseboro run.

A study of new growth on a California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) at Sage Ranch that was burned and completely defoliated in the 2005 Topanga Fire. These are crown sprouts growing from the base of the tree.

The photograph is of valley oak savannah on the north slopes of Laskey Mesa in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahmanson Ranch). This area was burned in the 2005 Topanga Fire. If you look closely, the condition of the trees varies widely. Some have full crowns; some partial crowns; and some are nearly bare.

A study of a Limber Pine cone on the summit plateau of Mt. Pinos (8831'). The photograph was taken on the Mt. Pinos - Lily Meadows - Mt. Abel run described in Thunderstorm.

Developing Cumulonimbus near Mt. Abel

Saturday, Pierce College in Woodland Hills set an all-time record high temperature of 119°F. This was probably the highest temperature ever recorded at an official weather station in Los Angeles County. To escape this oppressive heat, my intent was to get to the highest elevation possible, as early as possible, and stay as cool as possible. Little did I know the harrowing adventure that would result.

As I turned into the Vincent Gap parking lot and pulled to a stop, a few sprinkles of rain dotted my windshield. Opening the car door, I wanted to close it again. It was 7:30 in the morning and the temperature was already nearing 70 degrees. My plan was to do the Islip Saddle - South Fork - Mt. Baden-Powell loop from the Vincent Gap side. The day was really too warm to be doing this route, but with a chance of thunderstorms in the forecast maybe some clouds would help keep temps in check. I'd run at least to Little Jimmy Spring. If it was too hot, I could always head back.

Nine months after the 2005 Topanga Fire, this Valley Oak in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve continues the slow process of recovery. The clumps of leaves are the result of epicormic sprouting, where new sprouts grow from dormant buds along the branches, or the trunk, of a tree.

If somehow you were to miss the bright yellow of the Lemon Lily amid the greens of a mountain meadow, its arresting fragrance would certainly draw your attention.

A day that begins on a trail winding its way through manzanita and Jeffery pine is probably going to be a good one. You're in the mountains, and most likely starting a hike, run, climb, or some other adventure. In this case, it was the San Gabriel Mountains, and I was on the Pacific Crest Trail, near the start of a 20 mile run that began at Three Points and would circuit Mt. Waterman.

A Chalk Liveforever (Dudleya pulverulenta) at Sage Ranch a few weeks after the 2005 Topanga Fire burned through the area. (Photograph from November 24, 2005.)

The photograph is of peak 8248, the highest point on Pleasant View Ridge, viewed from the saddle northwest of the peak. Located in the San Gabriel Mountains, Pleasant View Ridge extends northwest about 8 miles from  Mt. Williamson to the vicinity of Indian Bill Canyon. The section of Pleasant View Ridge between Mt. Williamson and Burkhart Saddle is commonly done as part of a 13 mile loop from Eagles Roost.