So THIS is what its like

to climb a really tough peak!  Up to this point our Quest 4 Higher training hikes have been moderate adventures crammed in between days (read weeks) of rain and business trips out of town.  But given the 3 day weekend and an extra day to recover, Cheryl decided we needed to tackle the real deal... the Topa Topa Bluffs via Sisar Canyon.  Peaking at 6368' in elevation, the Topa Topa's are an ever present force watching over the western part of Ventura County and blessing us periodically with the famous 'pink moment'; those stunning sunsets where the lavender and pink hues bounce off the bluff and illuminate the alternating sandstone layers.

We knew snow would be one of the rewards of this hike, but neither one of us was prepared for just how much snow!  Our first sighting was met with glee and a few snow angels, but the wonder wore off as we approached the summit slogging through a fairly pristine layer a good 12 inches deep.  Glad we had our trekking poles!

On the way up we met David Stillman a local adventurer and blogger who christened this climb the Suffer Machine... not an ounce of exaggeration!  Both Cheryl and I had read his blog on the Topa Topa's and were really excited to meet the author.  Small world!  Dave gave us a few tips navigating the correct trail as well as some words of encouragement and then took off to tackle his demons leaving us to ponder our own.

Our hike started at the bottom of Sisar Canyon, a popular mountain bike and hiking route.  Sisar Canyon starts as a wide fire road with several creek crossings and after reaching the gate at about mile 4 we veered to the right heading on a single track path that leads though loamy forest up to White Ledge Camp.  At this point, after planning a future overnight camping trip, we again crossed the creek and started a more exposed part of the hike, climbing through deep ruts and over loose rock on our way to another fire road which splits off to the right and on up to the summit.  It was on this last mile and a half to the summit that we encountered our first patch of snow.  But what was at first a small dusting, quickly turned into some respectable drifts!  You can't beat living in Southern California... where else can you set out on a February hike in 70 degree weather, enjoy snow along the way and still do it all in shorts and t-shirts?!

The trail widened up bit and we enjoyed a few high-fives, celebrating our accomplishment so far thinking we surely must be just about to the top!  But alas, nature had a few cruel tricks in store.  This is where the Suffer Machine comes in!  Just when you think the last mile was the worst, you are treated to the next half mile.  Maybe it was the snow or maybe it was just a lack of fitness, but there were a few times when I seriously considered turning back.  After all, how great could the views really be?  Did I really want to tackle the return trip in all this snow?  Would discretion really be the better part of valor?  Thankfully, those thoughts did not linger long and with encouragement from my partner in this quest, the summit was soon in sight... right foot, left foot; right foot, left foot.  And then... eureka! 

Our efforts were rewarded with stunning panoramic views!  The pictures don't do it justice but imagine seeing Catalina Island not to mention Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and all the other Channel Islands with Lake Casitas in the foreground.  On a really clear day you can probably see boats tied up at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz!  After soaking in our victory and the scenery we each recorded our entry in the Topa Topa log book stored inside the summit geocache (and also signed the geocache log) and then stowed our gear for the return trek.

Most hikes, the back seems shorter than the out.  Not so on this one.  For some reason, maybe the excitement or the exhaustion, I thought we would never get back to the car.  We lingered a bit too long at the summit and as a result lost daylight sooner than we would have liked but we did make it back to the gate at the top of Sisar Canyon before having to don our head lamps.  Only the last 4 miles were in the dark... and I mean dark, not dusk. 

All in all, I could not have asked for a better day.  My partner in climb, Cheryl, made the trip so much fun; encouraging me every step of the way and sharing in the exhilaration of achieving our goal... thanks to the best co-leader ever!  We may not have been the fastest hikers (ok, we definitely were not) but we were certainly having the most fun and at the end of the day that's what we do this for.

Our stats...
Total miles: 16
Total hiking time: 8:34
Total time on the trail: 13:02
Total elevation: 6368'
Total elevation gain: 3700' (approx)
Total fun: LOADS!

Time to stop and smell the roses...

And if not the roses, then maybe the early wildflowers!  Not every hike needs to be training exercise.  Every so often a simple stroll through the canyon is in order and in this case,  La Jolla Canyon at Pt Magu State Park is the destination.

Strolling with my brother was a nice change of pace from the normal routine, giving me a chance to learn about some of the trail flora and take some pictures of the colorful show.  Its only February but some flowers are already on display. 

While we expected to see more water especially given the heavy rains we've had in the last couple weeks, there was really nothing to speak of other than a quietly weeping mossy rock face where the falls should have been. 

We knew this would be a short stroll so after a few more pictures and some fun conversation we turned around and headed back down the trail to inventory our geocaching finds and plan our next excursion!

A change of scenery...

Hiking in southern California means no shortage of trails most with stunning vistas, and all with flora abound.  Facing another hike with such repetitive scenery (we should all be so lucky!), its off to Scottsdale, AZ for some desert trekking! 

A business trip to the Phoenix area provided an opportunity to hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, 14,000 acres of prime Sonoran desert placed in the public trust by the city of Scottsdale.  I suppose I love the desert as much as the next guy but hiking in a hot, arid environment IS actually like everything its cracked up to be.... a change of scenery!

Host to a wide range of cacti, many of which can only be found in Arizona, my entrance to this amazing acreage was the Gateway, an eco-sensitive portal strategically placed to welcome visitors with detailed trail maps, shade ramada's for people, dogs and horses, as well as water features and restrooms.  Everything is well planned and beautifully executed so as to have little to no impact on the delicate environment.  My only regret is not taking a picture or two of the structure and surrounding detail.

After picking up a map, chatting with the friendly docents and checking water levels, we were off for the Windgate Pass.  Along the way are sign posts for a myriad of alternate trails, making it easy to stay on course, but hard to avoid distraction... think kid in a candy shop!

One of the first impressions regardless of which trail you choose, is the soaring Saguaro cacti, guarding the landscape like organic sentinels everywhere you look.

Some stand alone, others in pairs, many alive and growing while others are simple skeletons exposing their fibrous rails.

This is a harsh environment, the trails are dry, rocky and lined with small cactus, but the preserve was crowded with people enjoying the views nonetheless.  Not everyone was on foot however, as this is a popular mountain bike location too.  It pays to be alert when hiking here!

I imagine the summer months would be unbearable, but in February when the weather is crisp and the skies clear, this is a stunning location.  If you live in the area and have not taken a few hours to explore, you're missing out!