What's more romantic than a sunset hike?

A sunset hike on Valentine's Day!

Stokes Canyon, Mulholland Drive

Running a few minutes late, it felt like we were chasing the sunset! The chase can be fun though...

...Especially when you finally catch it!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my favorites!

Do you remember that song from The Hobbit?

Sage Ranch Loop, Simi Valley

As we drive up Woolsey Canyon, the fog was just starting to roll into the valley through the rocks. It was so thick that you could actually see the molecules traveling through the air. It created a sense of wonder and mystery. 

Oh, misty eye of the mountain below

Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls

And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke

Keep watching over Durin's sons

Running up hill? No, thanks.

Long Canyon (SW), Simi Valley

After a heartbreaking loss in the Super Bowl, a walk in the hills of as needed for a little pick me up. Some people might have been so inspired as to RUN up the trail...but not me. When I eventually made it, this was the view I was rewarded with. 

I also tried to get a shot of the green hills, but they just got washed out. Oops!

"I want to take a hike with you."

Charmlee Wilderness Park, Encinal Canyon

How have I never been out this way?? As if the green hills weren't spectacular enough, (thank you, rain!)...

...we rounded a corner to an ocean view.  Sometimes when I'm at the beach down here, I think about how it's the same ocean as my friends in WA get to see (aww, I may be a little homesick right now!)

There were some giant boulders and great trees. The little kid in me wanted to climb all over them! I didn't though because I still don't know how to get down...

Oh, and one of the beautiful girl we hiked with ;)

Baby on board!

Hike #13 Saint Edward Park, Kenmore

On my last day in town, we just had to go to the "whoop-de-whoop" park, as named by the 3 year old, which happens to have a trail attached.

The sky was gray (what's new)...

And the ground was more than muddy. Luckily, we had an expert trail guide!

We saw so many colors of leaves, lots of evergreens, and all the ferns bordering the path. We even snuck through a tree tunnel!

We finally made it to the open field, otherwise know as, the messiest wet dirt field in the history of time. Only one of us landed in the mud while crossing the ravine. Hint: it wasn't the either of the ones with a baby sleeping against their chest. 

Undulating paths.

Hike #12 Wildwood Canyon Loop (West), Thousand Oaks

My borrowed hike book (thanks, Steve!) described this trail in such lavish detail, I thought I was reading L. M. Montgomery or some other fluffy writing.

We ascended knolls and traversed ridges. 

Then descended the undulating path...

to the lush canyon floor.

We crossed footbridges above the bubbling stream. 

And meandered alongside the creek. 

Oh, and we saw this kickass succulent. 

Riddle me this, Batman.

Hike #11 Chesebro Canyon Trail, Agoura Hills

I've been looking forward to this hike with Erin for weeks! I definitely think I could get lost in those hills - the trails all seem to connect to one another and go on forever. For a pretty full parking lot though, we only saw a few people out. Makes me think there's more than meets the eye!

The clouds were breathtaking. Can't get enough of those cumulonimbus clouds today. 

Thanks for taking such great photos, Erin! 

Marco? Marco? Um, Marco?

Hike #10 Big Sky Trail, Simi Valley

And the trailhead never responded... We eventually hopped a fence and got on board.

Nothing much to tell here. We saw some backyards and future hills to climb.

A beautiful sunset (filtered for a little excitement!)

And a teeny sliver of a moon watching over us. 

Goodnight, Moon. 

Probably the most well-known Simi hike.

Hike #9 Mount McCoy, Simi Valley

One word: Switchbacks. It wasn't tough, just a little dizzying with all the turnarounds! 

I loved the cactus patch at the beginning. I scooched in for a closer pic, so glad my clumsiness didn't join me!

There were shortcuts throughout, but I was taking the switchbacks to get extra steps in. Kept crossing paths with a 74 year old man who has 6 children and 20 grandchildren. His youngest son is 42, and he wishes he had more power left in his legs. (I learned a little about him each time we saw each other...) 

Anyway, reached the top and realized a morning hike here would be much prettier - no shadow to cloud my view!

Still, a couple nice shots. 

And the (obligatory) cross. 

From the base, it seems majestic. Thank you, missionaries. 

Better than the cold one!

Hike #8 Challenger Park, Simi Valley

First quarter of school over, grades input, I headed home to celebrate with a cold drink and TV. But as I drove with my sunroof open, I was entranced by the wispy clouds against the bluest sky. How could I not go out for a hike?!

The trail split immediately, so I walked forward because it seemed more mysterious (as if I need a little more mystery in my life!)...and I was greatly rewarded. 

This is where I shall build my fort. 

I ran out of trail and turned around just in time to catch this beauty. 

And a little bit of Simi. 

I hit a fork in the road: back to my car or up, up, up! 

It quickly became one of the toughest hikes I've done thus far. Higher and higher I climbed. 

Like, seriously. Hard. <insert heavy breathing> But so worth it! 

And a second picture because. Yes, just because.

The sun set and I ran back to my car (for exercise, not because I am scared of the dark or anything...) Hike #8 is officially my favorite hike to date.

Rocks, sunshine, and graffiti! (Oh my!)

Hike #7 Corriganville, Simi Valley

So many treasures tucked in here beside the 118 freeway!

Heading out, I had no idea where to go or what to expect...

And then I spotted these rocks! And the sun was shining! And the science nerd in me started thinking about how incredible our earth is to have created these formations and that we (humans) take up such a minuscule amount of time here. Woah. 

At one point, I was sure I had lost myself in the hills...but is that really such a bad thing?

There I was: top of the hill, 50 feet from the freeway, and I see a tunnel with graffiti! Naturally, I go for a closer look, and was pleasantly surprised with the positivity. 

View from the top. So much to see!

 

And, done.