Two routes are commonly used to climb the rugged north side of Boney Mountain. One route ascends a ridge to the east of the Danielson cabin site, and the other a rocky ridge to the west of the site. Today, I was planning to do the western ridge, and then continue up and over Tri-Peaks to the Chamberlain segment of the Backbone Trail.

Clouds moving onshore ahead of a low pressure system that is expected to produce rain in Southern California Christmas Eve into Christmas Day. Track of the low is now projected to be a little more to the west, so the heaviest rain may occur just offshore.

From an out and back run yesterday to "fossil point" via the Chumash Trail and Rocky Peak fire road. View is of Simi Valley, with Boney Mountain and Conejo Mountain in the distance.

Comfortable, cushioned and durable. That's how I would characterize the adidas Response Trail. I've had two pairs of the Response Trail 14s in my shoe rotation since September 2007, and logged around 1000 miles between them. (Your mileage may vary.)

About a month ago I replaced one of the pairs with the adidas Response Trail 15s. I've put 75 miles on the new pair, and other than a change in colors, it seems not much has changed in the shoe. It's still well-cushioned, comfortable and lightweight. The new pair weighed in at 24.7 oz./pair (US 9.5). At $80 or less, the Response Trail 15s are an excellent value.

At the moment, my primary trail running shoes are the Salomon XT Wings (105 miles), Salomon SpeedComp (110 miles), and adidas Response Trail 15s.

Turning leaves on a valley oak sapling along upper Las Virgenes Creek.

Rocks and snow at the top of the Chumash Trail, near its junction with Rocky Peak fire road, in Rocky Peak Park.

From Thursday's run in the snow.

Our latest storm added another half inch of rain to our water year total in Los Angeles. This brings the water year rainfall total to 2.85 inches. This is 1.35 inches above normal for the date. As much as a foot of snow was reported in the Antelope Valley and the snow level dropped to near 2000 ft in the foothills and mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

What's next? Things should stay dry in Southern California until around Monday, when a fast moving front sweeps through the state. Later in the week, sometime around Christmas, the models are suggesting the possibility of a major system impacting California. We'll see!

The photograph of Oat Mountain was taken this morning on an out and back run on Rocky Peak fire road. The highest stretches of the fire road were covered with an icy layer of snow.

Related post: Chumash Trail Rocks & Snow

Growing in clusters at the top of a bristly, 1-2m, gray-green stem, the flowers of telegraphweed (Heterotheca grandiflora) are a striking yellow.

The plant is native to California. From a Fall run at Sage Ranch.

Rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon monspeliensis) along a vernal stream course in East Las Virgenes Canyon in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahamanson Ranch).

This grass is not native to California. From a run in October.

After chugging up the long climb, I pause on the crest of the hill. Open space surrounds me. In a nearby oak, small birds twit and twitter, preparing for the night. In the distance coyotes yip and yell, an announcement on one hilltop, and an answer on another. A cold ribbon of wind brushes against my leg.

I take a deep breath and smile. At sunset the day melds to an end, becoming rich with sights, smells, and sounds. In the moment, senses converge and thoughts coalesce.

There is form in the oak's twisted limbs. A dove dives from its branches, and I turn for home.

Related post: Return of the Afternoon Sun

More delicate than the finest holiday crystal, the leaf segments of this coffee fern (Pellaea andromedifolia) are covered in tiny spherical water droplets. The largest of these droplets is about the size of the head of a pin, the smallest perhaps the size of a grain of salt.

Initially green, coffee fern turns various shades of red, brown, or purple with age.

From a run in the Boney Mountain Wilderness in Pt. Mugu State Park on Saturday.

Some related posts: T-storms and Trail Work, Return to Hidden Pond