Solstice Canyon stays popular during heat
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS A sweltering day on a dusty trail spent swatting gnats and mosquitos — there’s a reason why hiking isn’t a popular summer activity in Los Angeles.
As the days start getting hotter, the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains grow increasingly lonesome, as the hikers that once traversed these parts often swap their hiking boots for summer thongs and head to the beaches.
“During the summer, we see our visitation shift a little,” said Charles Taylor, spokesman for the National Park Service covering the Santa Monica Mountains. “Beach visitation goes way up.”
The Santa Monica Mountains welcomes its largest contingent of outdoor enthusiasts in the fall and spring, when cooler temperatures foster a favorable hiking climate, rain is nowhere to be seen and the vegetation is as beautiful as it can get.
There’s also fewer bugs. “If it’s a mild spring or a great fall, we tend to see a lot of people out in the trails,” Taylor said. “(In the summer), look at what it’s like in Burbank and add four degrees.”
While the hot summer days won’t scare the hardcore hikers away, the casual outdoorsman can still enjoy the occasional trip out into LA’s version of the wilderness. The Santa Monica Mountains offer several scenic and well-shaded trails to drag even the biggest beach bum into the woods.
Almost any of the trails along the west side of the mountains will benefit from the breezy ocean air and be a few temperatures cooler than inland routes. Located around the midpoint of the Santa Monica Mountains — between Point Dume and the Malibu Lagoon State Beach — sits Solstice Canyon. With ocean views, a waterfall and one of the few perennial creeks around, Solstice Canyon, whose trail is almost entirely shaded, remains popular year round. “(Anywhere) west of Topanga Canyon is just fine,” said Hal Margolis, whose book, “100 Mile Route,” was released on May 1.
The book details and maps a 103.3-mile hike that Margolis undertook across the Santa Monica Mountains. Part of the hike included a portion of the Backbone Trail, a 70-mile route that traverses most of the Santa Monica Mountains.
The Backbone Trail starts at the Will Rogers State Historic Park, covering national park and other public park land as it winds its way north to its terminal at Point Mugu State Park. A section of the trail through Zuma Canyon is particularly pleasant, featuring shade, a stream, bridge and waterfall.
For hikers who want to spend only a few hours in the park, Malibu Canyon provides a well shaded trail with stops at several lakes where a hiker can cool off with a dip in the water.
Located almost three miles west of where the 405 Freeway meets Mulholland Drive is the Westridge Trail, part of the Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park.It’s been a favorite spot for Alaina Cunningham, an outreach specialist with REI Santa Monica, a recreation and outdoors sporting equipment store.
Since last summer, Cunningham has dedicated at least one day a week to hiking the Westridge Trail, usually waking up at the crack of dawn and tackling the trail by 6 a.m.
“You’d be surprised at how many people you find hiking that early in the morning,” Cunningham said. “Most people up there are regulars.”
Even the hot weather won’t keep the regular hikers away. “The Westridge trail is popular year-round, especially in the morning,” she said.
Before heading out on the trails this summer, hikers should be well equipped to handle the heat.
Baggy pants and a cotton T-shirt is the ideal hiking uniform in the summer because it’s loose enough to allow a cool breeze to pass through, according to Tim Nelson, an avid hiker and employee at outdoor recreation clothing store Patagonia on Main Street. Cotton shirts easily absorb sweat and remain wet longer, keeping the body cooler against the damp shirt, he added.
An extra pair of socks will come in handy during longer hikes when feet become sweaty, creating an uncomfortable situation for the hiker.
“If you lose your feet, you’re not going to do too well,” Nelson said.
The most important thing is to stay hydrated throughout the hike, keeping at least one liter of water. It’s also important to maintain electrolyte levels. Nelson recommends packing some Gatorade.
While temperatures might be warm during the day, they can drastically drop in the evening. For overnight trips, hikers should pack a fleece or windbreaker.
Injuries can happen at any time and Nelson recommends first-aid kits. Even a snake-bite kit can come in handy as there have been sightings of rattlesnakes in the past at the Santa Monica Mountains.
“Not everyone can have wilderness first-aid training,” Nelson said.“You can at least prepare yourself for the worst.”
Irene Manahan contributed to the reporting of this article.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 12, 2007. Read the original PDF.