TAKE A HIKE! TRAILS OFFER PROXIMITY, SCENERY, PET-FRIENDLINESS.Byline: Elisa Jacobs Staff Writer Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. may seem a smog-ridden concrete jungle Noun 1. concrete jungle - an area in a city with large modern buildings that is perceived as dangerous and unpleasant jungle - a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival at times, but beneath that layer of pollution is a sylvan sylvan emanating from or pertaining to woods. See also sylvatic. city yearning for discovery. Whether you call Calabasas, Hollywood or Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. home, chances are there's a leafy trail in your backyard (or pretty close to it), where the breezes are fresh, chirping chirp n. A short, high-pitched sound, such as that made by a small bird or an insect. intr.v. chirped, chirp·ing, chirps To make a short, high-pitched sound. birds drown out cell phones, and the views are filled with trees, not treadmills. On a recent weekday morning, dozens of hikers enjoyed brisk, heart-pounding walks on the Runyon Canyon trails that start just a few blocks north of Hollywood Boulevard. Walton Nunez of West Hollywood says he goes to Runyon to spend quality time with his dog, Bluie, since the two "don't have a lot of time to hang out together." For Nunez, Runyon is "central and easy" but also "therapeutic." The 26-year-old likes to meditate med·i·tate v. med·i·tat·ed, med·i·tat·ing, med·i·tates v.tr. 1. To reflect on; contemplate. 2. To plan in the mind; intend: meditated a visit to her daughter. at the top of the trailhead. Just ask around. Most L.A. residents have their favorite hiking haunts. Proximity, scenery and pet-friendliness all play a role. Many parks allow dogs, and some even offer fishing, camping and horseback riding. Local environmentalist environmentalist a person with an interest and knowledge about the interaction of humans and animals with the environment. and Tree-People founder Andy Lipkis says he loves "hiking where TreePeople has planted trees in city and county parks." Lipkis' favorites include Kenneth Hahn Regional Park in Baldwin Hills, Malibu Creek State Park Coordinates: Malibu Creek State Park is a California state park near Malibu, in Calabasas. It opened to the public in 1980, using property purchased from 20th Century Fox that the studio had owned since 1946 along with adjoining properties. and Griffith Park. Ron Silverman, senior director of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club Sierra Club, national organization in the United States dedicated to the preservation and expansion of the world's parks, wildlife, and wilderness areas. Founded (1892) in California by a group led by the Scottish-American conservationist John Muir, the Sierra Club , favors Griffith Park for its "spectacular views" and the fact it feels so remote from the city. Griffith Park hikers "can be encased en·case tr.v. en·cased, en·cas·ing, en·cas·es To enclose in or as if in a case. en·case  ment n. in a forest setting ...
and completely forget they're in an urban park," he says. And
hikers can't go wrong by heading to the Santa Monica Mountains The Santa Monica Mountains are a low transverse range in southern California in the United States. GeographyThey run for approximately 40 mi (64 km) east-west from the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles to Point Mugu in Ventura County. , he says. Kelly Hovick and Jeffrey Saenz of Silver Lake visit Runyon with their dogs, Stella Blue and Joey, because "it's close to home and not such a commitment time-wise." It also gets them a world away from "all the cars and things." While communing with nature is probably hiking's biggest attraction, an extra windfall is the feeling of kinship it fosters. Unlike the gym, where exercisers block everything out with iPods, Zunes and Bluetooth earpieces, hiking encourages community. "It is the complete opposite of being in an elevator," Silverman says. "People are friendly and different because they're experiencing the same things at the same time: the beauty of the environment, feeling healthy and being outdoors. Everyone's in the same boat, and hikers are aware of that." The Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust believes so strongly in the power of hiking that its employees have started regular staff hikes. On a recent outing at Runyon Canyon, LANLT employees Shawn Dillard, Carolina Macias, Sharlene Choy, Tsilah Berman and Gabriela Garcia all praised the effects hiking has had on their office environment, saying they communicate more effectively thanks to the bonding they do outdoors. Indeed, on any given hiking trail around the city, observers can watch perfect strangers spontaneously greet one another -- an act many might never dream of doing elsewhere. Taking a rest from her hike in Solstice solstice (sŏl`stĭs) [Lat.,=sun stands still], in astronomy, either of the two points on the ecliptic that lie midway between the equinoxes (separated from them by an angular distance of 90°). Canyon in Malibu, L.A. resident Amara Poolswadi, 23, says: "Most people who enjoy the outdoors are not only environmentally friendly but also (people) friendly. The snobby snob n. 1. One who tends to patronize, rebuff, or ignore people regarded as social inferiors and imitate, admire, or seek association with people regarded as social superiors. 2. people tend to stay in the city." L.A. resident Dennis Chung, 21, says he loves hiking for the physical challenge. "Can I do it?" he regularly asks himself, taking pride whenever he can say, "We've been to the top of that (mountain)." For local resident Jeffrey Mendoza, 22, it's "the thrill of potentially getting lost." While people might not power along hiking trails with the same gusto found in a spinning class, the physical benefits are obvious, especially when rolling out of bed with sore gluteal muscles. But before heading out to conquer those hills, here are a few words of advice: Don't go alone. Mountain lions and sprained ankles might work as punch lines, but they're not so funny in real life. Bring water, food, sunscreen sunscreen /sun·screen/ (-skren) a substance applied to the skin to protect it from the effects of the sun's rays. sun·screen n. and a map. Burnt and hungry people do not happy hikers make. Don't go off the trail. Not only do poison oak poison oak: see poison ivy. poison oak Species of poison ivy (Toxicodendron diversilobum) native to western North America and classified in the sumac (or cashew) family. and wild animals WILD ANIMALS. Animals in a state of nature; animals ferae naturae. Vide Animals; Ferae naturae. call the wilderness home, but going off the trail can be destructive to the environment. "Even if you go a matter of inches, those inches eventually become feet. So even going a little off course can be damaging," Silverman says. Greet fellow hikers. Even though Mom warned against speaking to strangers, it's OK in this case. And, for the love of Al Gore, don't litter. "We all have to remember that we're guests of the planet," Silverman says. "Keep that in mind, whether in Runyon, Griffith Park or the Santa Monica Mountains." 10 BEST HIKES IN L.A. TEMESCAL GATEWAY PARK Lowdown low·down n. Slang The whole truth: gave us the lowdown on what happened at the party. lowdown low (inf) n he gave me the lowdown on it → : Perched atop Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades Palisades, cliffs along the west bank of the Hudson River, NE N.J. and SE N.Y., extending from N of Jersey City, N.J., to the vicinity of Piermont, N.Y., with a general altitude of from 350 ft to 550 ft (107–168 m). , this park is always a good bet with its 141 acres of oak and sycamore canyons. Even when a poor rainy season has turned the waterfalls into water dribbles, the ocean breezes and sigh-worthy ("Ah, nature") scenery make for a great hike. Care to spend the night in this rich coastal wilderness? Try one of six bungalow-style dorms, eight rustic cabins or the honeymoon cottage. Where: 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. Located one mile north of Pacific Coast Highway Pacific Coast Highway may refer to:
Contact: (310) 454-1395 RUNYON CANYON Lowdown: Located smack dab in the middle of Hollywood, Runyon Canyon offers more than 100 acres of silicone-free wildlife. The 3.5-mile Runyon Canyon loop is a popular choice and gets packed with people and their pooches (Runyon is famous for its off-leash dog park). Hikers also can enter from the north, choose a short hike up Indian Rock to the highest point in the canyon and enjoy 360-degree views. Where: 2000 N. Fuller Ave., Hollywood. The Fuller Avenue and North Vista Street entrances are just a few blocks north of Hollywood Boulevard. The northern entrance is about 2.5 miles east of Laurel Canyon Boulevard Laurel Canyon Boulevard is a major street in the city of Los Angeles, California. It starts off at Polk Street in Sylmar in the northern San Fernando Valley near the junction of the San Diego (Interstate 405) and the Golden State Freeways (Interstate 5). on Mulholland Drive. Contact: (323) 666-5046 GRIFFITH PARK Lowdown: The mack daddy of city parks, Griffith boasts 53 miles of hiking glory. Those who are feeling adventurous (and camera-happy) can hike all the way to the top of Mount Hollywood (Griffith's highest point), where the views are panoramic, to say the least. Where: 4370 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Feliz. Contact: (323) 913-4688 ELYSIAN PARK Lowdown: The oldest park in the city, and second in size only to Griffith Park, Elysian Park is a popular destination for barbecuing and volleyball playing, but serious hikers will also enjoy this urban "paradise": The historic six-mile Portola Trail snakes all the way to the outskirts of Chinatown and back. Where: 835 Academy Road, downtown. Contact: (213) 928-9200 SOLSTICE CANYON Lowdown: Located off Pacific Coast Highway, Solstice Canyon offers a relatively easy, paved hiking trail featuring lush greenery, tropical plants, a waterfall and "ruins" (hikers can see the remains of the Roberts Home, which burnt down in 1982). Where: Corral corral a small fenced-in enclosure with high, wooden fences, suitable for holding cattle or horses. corral system a management system in which range cattle are put into corrals and fed hay for a period when the environment is most Canyon Road, just north of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Contact: (805) 498-0305 WILL ROGERS STATE HISTORIC PARK Will Rogers State Historic Park is the former estate of American humorist Will Rogers. It lies in the Santa Monica mountains in Los Angeles, in the Pacific Palisades area. Lowdown: The former stomping ground of actor Will Rogers, this state park is home to Rogers' ranch and a polo club. The park's three-mile trail loops around the ranch; make sure to stop at Inspiration Point for some rather "inspirational" views of the city. Where: 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road, Pacific Palisades. Contact: (310) 454-8212 TOPANGA STATE PARK Topanga State Park is a California state park located in Los Angeles County. It is located adjacent to the unincorporated community of Topanga, California, within the city of Los Angeles, California. Covering 11,000 acres (45 km²) it is the largest state park within city limits. Lowdown: Topanga State Park is the mother lode when it comes to hiking in Los Angeles. With 36 miles of trails spanning 11,000 acres, Topanga is the largest state park that exists within the boundaries of a major city. Where: The main parking lot entrance is at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Entrada Road. The park is bounded on the south by Malibu, on the north by Tarzana, on the west by Topanga Canyon and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Contact: (310) 455-2465 CHARMLEE WILDERNESS PARK Lowdown: True to its name, Charmlee's three-mile loop trail features some rather charming scenery that includes wildflowers (during the springtime) and ocean views (when the fog has cleared). Those who don't want to go it alone can join in on a full-moon or twilight marshmallow marshmallow /marsh·mal·low/ (mahrsh´mel?o) (-mal?o) a perennial Eurasian herb, Althaea officinalis, group hike. Where: 2577 S. Encinal Canyon Road, Malibu. Contact: (310) 457-7247 FRANKLIN CANYON PARK Lowdown: A nice respite from the frivolity Frivolity Blondie the gaffe-prone, frivolous wife of Dagwood Bumstead. [Comics: Horn, 118] Dobson, Zuleika charming young lady who unconcernedly dazzles Oxford undergraduates. [Br. Lit. of Beverly Hills, Franklin Canyon Park rests on 605 acres at the geographic center of L.A., offering more than five miles of trails. The Discovery Trail is 0.3 miles, the Berman Trail clocks in at a mile, and the Hastain Trail measures 2.3 miles. Don't be a wuss -- take the Hastain. Where: 2600 Franklin Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills. From the 101 Freeway, take Coldwater Canyon Boulevard south to the intersection of Coldwater Canyon and Mulholland Drive. Make a 90-degree right turn onto Franklin Canyon Drive. The road sign reads "Road Closed 800 Feet." This is the park entrance. Contact: (310) 858-7272 MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK Lowdown: A popular filming location for TV shows such as "M*A*S*H," this state park is well- liked by the hiker-biker set for its miles and miles of trails. The relatively easy Rock Pool Trail is 3.5miles round-trip and takes hikers past volcanic rocks and a lake. The park offers fishing and horseback riding, and its 25-mile namesake creek is the principal water-course of the Santa Monica Mountains, winding from Boney Mountain to Malibu Lagoon. Where: 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas. Take the Las Virgenes Road exit -- Exit 32 -- off the 101 Freeway toward Malibu Canyon. Turn left on Las Virgenes and travel four miles south. Contact: (818) 880-0367 CAPTION(S): 4 photos, box, map Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) PATH to NATURE 10 great hiking trails close to home (2 -- color) FRANKLIN CANYON PARK (3 -- color) MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK Tina Burch/Staff Photographer (4 -- color) no caption (flower) Box: 10 BEST HIKES IN L.A. (see text) Map: no caption (hiking trails) Source: Daily News research by Nancy Dillon Warren Huskey/Staff Artist |
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