Pleasant View

View from Pleasant View Ridge

This morning did a short out and back run from the Eagle’s Roost Picnic Area to peak 8248 on Pleasant View Ridge.

The title photograph is from near the summit of peak 8248. Twin Peaks East and Twin Peaks West (last Sunday’s run) are the prominent peaks on the right skyline. Kratka Ridge, Angeles Crest Highway and the Williamson Rock area is toward the camera from Twin Peaks. Eagle’s Roost is on Angeles Crest Highway near Williamson Rock.

Some related posts: Pleasant View Ridge Snow, Peaks Along Pleasant View Ridge

Confused Coot

Usually found around marshes, ponds, lakes and reservoirs — often in large flocks — this solitary coot was in a conifer forest at 7300′ on Twin Peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains, near Los Angeles.

It was only a few feet in front of me when it flushed. Far too large to be a quail, at first I assumed it was a grouse, and was surprised it allowed me to approach so close.

Its wings beating furiously the bird managed to scurry downhill a few yards — perhaps briefly becoming airborne — and stop. Preening this feather and that, the bird seemed annoyed to have made such an effort, and more concerned about its feathers than me. 

Its wing beats were symmetric and strong and the bird appeared to be healthy, but it was my impression its primaries were not fully formed. American coots (Fulica americana) molt in late summer and it takes about a month for them to return to flight. Maybe this bird was nearing the end of a molt and not quite ready to fly.

But why should the coot be so far from water? I think the closest lake to Twin Peaks is Cogswell Reservoir — about 5000′ lower in elevation and 5.5 miles away.

From last Sunday’s trail run to Twin Peaks.

Twin Peaks Trail Run

Eastern summit of Twin Peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains, near Los Angeles

Twin Peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains, near Los Angeles, has always been a favorite. Rugged and isolated, its eastern summit is a popular ascent. Judging from the far less worn path leading to its summit, the western peak is not as frequently visited.

From the Buckhorn parking area it’s about 5 miles to the summit of the east peak and then another 0.9 mile to the west peak. The total elevation gain/loss (round trip) including the west peak is around 3800′. Although there’s some steep up and down, there’s also some long stretches of very good trail running.

With so many hot days and runs this Summer, this run/hike was the perfect welcome to Autumn. The morning was cool, but not so cool as to require sleeves. Over the course of the run some fair weather cumulus popped up here and there, and it was just one of those days that it was wonderful to be in the mountains.

The title photograph is East Twin Peaks (7761′) from near West Twin Peaks (7596′).

Some related posts: Mt. Wilson Area Peaks From Twin Peaks, Three Points to Waterman Mountain the Long Way

Calabasas Peak From Saddle Peak

Calabasas Peak from Saddle Peak

Either Calabasas Peak or Saddle Peak can be done from the parking area on Stunt Road about a mile east of Mulholland, near the start of Calabasas Peak Motorway fire road and Cold Creek.

The out and back route to Calabasas Peak is about 3.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain/loss of about 900′. Except for the last 0.1 mile it follows the fire road (Calabasas Peak Mtwy) that can be seen diagonaling across the peak in the photograph above. Start at the gate across the highway from the parking area.

The out and back to Saddle Peak is a little over 8 miles round trip with an elevation gain/loss of about 1900′. It’s nearly all single track trail and the route-finding is not as straightforward as the ascent of Calabasas Peak. The route follows the Stunt High Trail to the Backbone Trail and then a short spur trail/road to the summit(s) of Saddle Peak. Here’s an interactive Cesium browser View of one of my GPS tracks of the route.

Both peaks are fun to do and have good views.

The title photograph is from Friday’s SpotTheShuttle trail run.

Some related posts: Saddle Peak from the Phantom Trail, Saddle Peak & Malibu Canyon, Tapia Bound

SpotTheShuttle Trail Run – A Long (3 mile) Shot with a Short (90mm) Lens

Space Shuttle Endeavour on NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft over the Pacific near Malibu

I’d run up from Cold Creek on the Stunt High Trail and Backbone Trail and hadn’t seen a soul until on the service road that connects Saddle Peak’s twin summits. Usually you’d only see telecommunication workers, hikers and trail runners on the peak. Not this morning!

Cars where I’d never seen cars before — parked on the eastern summit of Saddle Peak, parked on the western summit of Saddle Peak. Parked in every turnout on the roads below the peak. People were perched on every rock outcrop and vantage point from which they could see the Malibu coastline. Everyone was waiting for the Shuttle Endeavour flyover of Malibu!

I’d debated other vantage points including Sandstone Peak,  Mugu Peak, and Will Rogers near the bridge. I’d finally opted for Saddle Peak, hoping that the flyover of Malibu would be over Malibu and not off the coast.

As it turned out the Shuttle transport’s flight path was well offshore. This combined with Saddle Peak’s 2.5 mile distance to the coast made for an impossible shot with the 90mm max focal length of my Lumix LX7.

No matter; it was still fun to do the run, spot the Shuttle, and try to get a shot with my normal running camera!

Coastline From Mugu Peak

Coastline south of Pt. Mugu from Mugu Peak. The trail wrapping around the lower peak is the Mugu Peak Trail. It leads to the La Jolla Loop and Canyon trails. There were several runners on the Mugu Peak trail, training for the XTERRA Pt. Mugu Trail Run.

From Sunday’s out and back run from the Wendy Drive to Mugu Peak.

Related post: La Jolla Valley & Mugu Peak from Wendy Drive