GeoTrek 3 May 26

GEOTREK 3
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:
TARZANA TO CALABASAS

Monday, May 26, 2008

Route: From the Reseda Blvd. Trailhead at the south end of Reseda Blvd., west along dirt and paved portions of Mulholland Dr., north on Topanga Cyn. Blvd. to the Top of Topanga Overlook, and west and south on the Summit-to-Summit and Calabasas Peak Mtwys. to Stunt Rd.

Distance: 13.5 miles.

PICTURES OF PEOPLE AND NON-GEOLOGIC THINGS SEEN ALONG THE TRAIL
Click on the small picture to see an enlargement.

(Click on this line to see PICTURES OF GEOLOGY ALONG THE TRAIL
and the hike route traced on a Dibblee geologic map.)

On Memorial Day, eight enthusiastic hikers joined Sue and I for the day's GeoTrek. From left to right are: John Pepitone, Vicki Pedone, Sue Fritsche, Syrus Parvizian, Pam Irvine, Connie Hanstedt, Tony Reid, Marilyn Hanna, and Dayanthie Weeraratne. Gene Fritsche is taking the picture. We left at 8:30 a.m.
Here's the intrepid group hiking along the unpaved portion of Mulholland Drive.
Fairly common along the road were purple Fiddlenecks. After these dry up in the summer, they are an itchy problem if they get into your socks or pants.
The delicate needles that cause the itching can be seen in this closeup of the Fiddleneck flowers.
Taking a little break for water and a snack.
After the break we had to walk up Topanga Canyon Blvd. to the Top-of-Topanga Overlook. Luckily there was a wide shoulder most of the way.
At the Top-of-Topanga we found water fountains, rest rooms, and picnic tables. It was a nice place to have lunch.
The ten of us fit nicely onto two tables and enjoyed conversation and a nice view of the valley while we ate lunch.
Yellow flowers of the Mustard plant. This is probably the most common plant along the route of the GeoTrek.
These red Penstemon flowers are not common, but are very noticeable among the backdrop of mostly yellow flowers along the trail.
A closeup view of the red Penstemon flowers.
Numerous roadcuts provided good views of the many types of rocks found along the route of the GeoTrek. Here the group is studying an exposure of a thick bed of sandstone.
White Sage, which has purple flowers, is common along this part of the route. Farther east, Black Sage was more common.
Closeup of the flowers of the White Sage.
Looking north across the snake-like climb of Topanga Canyon Blvd. up to the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains. Woodland Hills, the Warner Center, and Chatsworth are in the valley. In the background are the Simi Hills on the left and the Santa Susana Mountains on the right.
Just a few California Golden Poppies were left along the road. Most had already bloomed and seeded by this time.
Here's a closeup of a California Golden Poppy.
As we got up high along the Calabasas Peak Motorway we got a glimpse of Santa Monica Bay with the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the background.
Syrus Parvizian found a Checkerspot butterfly on a flower and coaxed it onto his finger for a photo opportunity.
Here's the group hiking along the Calabasas Peak Motorway near the end of the day.
A rare but very interesting flower we found was this Fringed Indian Pink. Marilyn Hanna was very helpful in identifying flowers for us.
Near the top of Calabasas Peak we gathered for a group photo and a view through the rocks toward the west.
This lizard cooperated by posing long enough for his picture to be taken.
Just before we finished the day's hike we found this Woolley Blue Curls.
We arrived at the end of today's trek at 4:50 p.m. There were a few sore legs among the group, but we had survived the 13.5 miles in good spirits and many were looking forward to hiking yet another day.

Return to the CSUN Geological Sciences Department hike index.
Return to the Coast Geological Society hike index.
Return to the First United Methodist Church of Reseda hike index.
THIS PAGE LAST MODIFIED ON MAY 27, 2008
If you have questions or comments, you may leave a message at:
a.eugene.fritsche@csun.edu

	On Memorial Day, eight enthusiastic hikers joined Sue and I for the day's GeoTrek. From left to right are: John Pepitone, Vicki Pedone, Sue Fritsche, Syrus Parvizian, Pam Irvine, Connie Hanstedt, Tony Reid, Marilyn Hanna, and Dayanthie Weeraratne. Gene Fritsche is taking the picture. We left at 8:30 a.m.
	Here's the intrepid group hiking along the unpaved portion of Mulholland Drive.
	Fairly common along the road were purple Fiddlenecks. After these dry up in the summer, they are an itchy problem if they get into your socks or pants.
	The delicate needles that cause the itching can be seen in this closeup of the Fiddleneck flowers.
	Taking a little break for water and a snack.
	After the break we had to walk up Topanga Canyon Blvd. to the Top-of-Topanga Overlook. Luckily there was a wide shoulder most of the way.
	At the Top-of-Topanga we found water fountains, rest rooms, and picnic tables. It was a nice place to have lunch.
	The ten of us fit nicely onto two tables and enjoyed conversation and a nice view of the valley while we ate lunch.
	Yellow flowers of the Mustard plant. This is probably the most common plant along the route of the GeoTrek.
	These red Penstemon flowers are not common, but are very noticeable among the backdrop of mostly yellow flowers along the trail.
	A closeup view of the red Penstemon flowers.
	Numerous roadcuts provided good views of the many types of rocks found along the route of the GeoTrek. Here the group is studying an exposure of a thick bed of sandstone.
	White Sage, which has purple flowers, is common along this part of the route. Farther east, Black Sage was more common.
	Closeup of the flowers of the White Sage.
	Looking north across the snake-like climb of Topanga Canyon Blvd. up to the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains. Woodland Hills, the Warner Center, and Chatsworth are in the valley. In the background are the Simi Hills on the left and the Santa Susana Mountains on the right.
	Just a few California Golden Poppies were left along the road. Most had already bloomed and seeded by this time.
	Here's a closeup of a California Golden Poppy.
	As we got up high along the Calabasas Peak Motorway we got a glimpse of Santa Monica Bay with the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the background.
	Syrus Parvizian found a Checkerspot butterfly on a flower and coaxed it onto his finger for a photo opportunity.
	Here's the group hiking along the Calabasas Peak Motorway near the end of the day.
	A rare but very interesting flower we found was this Fringed Indian Pink. Marilyn Hanna was very helpful in identifying flowers for us.
	Near the top of Calabasas Peak we gathered for a group photo and a view through the rocks toward the west.
	This lizard cooperated by posing long enough for his picture to be taken.
	Just before we finished the day's hike we found this Woolley Blue Curls.
	We arrived at the end of today's trek at 4:50 p.m. There were a few sore legs among the group, but we had survived the 13.5 miles in good spirits and many were looking forward to hiking yet another day.