Coming Events “In Every Walk with Nature One Receives Far More Than

SPRING 2008

Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days, PRESIDENT’S VISION

25-27 April 2008 Some three years ago there was an article in

Volunteers are invited to a day or a full week- the LA Times about our Santa Monica Mountains and end to help improve trails during the 27th annual how they divide us and bring us together. The article Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days on 25-27 April was by Paul Haddad, and it certainly rang true for me. 2008. The rare opportunity of camping under the I will endeavor to give you the condensed gist of sycamores and oaks at Danielson Ranch in the Paul’s feelings, as they mirror mine and may mirror heart of Point Mugu State Park is free to volun- some of yours. teers on Friday and Saturday nights. Volunteers Once you have a love affair with the local may also enjoy a free barbeque dinner on Satur- topography it would seem impossible to live any- day evening. Trail users have the opportunity to where without mountains. Some of you already build and restore trails that they and others enjoy. know that LA is home to the largest urban wilder- Held only once a year, Santa Monica Moun- ness in the world. Did you also know that LA is the tains Trail Days is organized by a committee of only city in the world divided in half by a mountain citizens who love trails. The event is partnered by range? The mountains do separate people living California State Parks, Santa Monica Mountains on the “other” side, whether it’s the valley or town Trails Council, California Native Plant Society, Con- or beach; but they also attract millions who come cerned Off-road Bicyclist Association, National together to enjoy the extensive variety of outdoor Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains Natural opportunities and activities that the land provides. History Association, Temescal Canyon Association Not only are there the obvious – hiking, camping, and Conejo Sierra Club. fishing, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, Experience in trail building is not required, and running, picnicking, bird watching – but the water- there are jobs for everyone no matter what their falls, the plants, the trees, the wildlife, the trails – ability. Along with trail work, a special crew will re- they all offer us abundant visions, sights and store native plants. Bring your own lunch, snacks sounds that will remain with us forever. In addi- and water. Tools and Saturday evening dinner will tion, these mountains replenish our souls. be provided. We, who have a lifelong passion for the For more information and for camping reserva- mountains and a shared appreciation for the tions, call the Santa Monica Mountains Trails bounty of its hills, are hopelessly caught in the love Council, 818-222-4531. or click on affair. http://www.smmtc.org/TrailDays_2008.pdf Sometimes other people say things that cannot be improved upon in expressing our own thoughts and feelings. Paul Haddad has expressed that for me, and I hope he’s done it for you. As John Muir once wrote, Coming Events “In every walk with nature one receives far more than

2008 he seeks.” Perhaps I can speak for most of us by saying 27th Annual Santa Monica Mountains Trail that our mutual admiration for the Santa Monica Days — 25-27 April Mountains actually transcends the mountains them- BBT Trek — 3-10 May selves. We feel so fortunate to have the shared experi- BioBlitz — 30-31 May ences with nature, to have our lives intertwined with National Trails Day — 7 June such depth of innermost feelings, and to know that SMMTC Annual Meeting — 23 October life is so good right here in our mountains. Backbone Trek, May 3-10, 2008 Nearly 30 Miles of State Park Trails

Hike the 65-mile long Backbone Trail from La Maintained by SMMTC Volunteers

Jolla Campground in Point Mugu State Park to Will During 2007, Trails Council volunteers Rogers State Historic Park. This is a moderate to worked on 156,300 ft. (29.6 miles) of trails in strenuous hike with limited participants. Camp Angeles District parks, according to state parks along the way for one week. Carry just your lunch maintenance manager Brent Johnson, who in a daypack, while volunteers shuttle your gear to added that there are some 150 miles of trails in the campsites and prepare your dinners. There is the Angeles District. a fee. Although Angeles District state parks con- For more information: www.smmtc.org or con- tains a major part of the Santa Monica Moun- tact Jerry Mitcham at 818-406-1269 or email to tains trail network, SMMTC volunteers also work [email protected]. Organized on trail segments held by National Parks, the by Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council and MRCA and other agencies and have provided Coastwalk. many more hours of effort. Burt Elliott, coordinator for SMMTC trail work parties, reports that SMMTC crews have almost Volunteers Invited to Help on National completed work on the Nicholas Flat trails, a pro- Trails Day, 7 June 2008 ject that has been going on intermittently for the past two years. One day was spent on the Malibu Volunteers are invited to build a new trail from Springs connection to Nicholas Flat. Other major, Peter Strauss Ranch beginning at 8:30 am on Sat- multi-day projects include maintenance on the urday, 7 June, for the 2008 National Trails Day. BBT Chamberlain section. Work was also per- Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council is partner- formed on the Fossil Trail, Old Boney Trail, La ing with the Sierra Club Task Force for this year’s Jolla Valley Trails, and Hidden Pond Trail, all in event. Point Mugu SP. In Circle X Ranch the Canyon Volunteers are asked to bring their own lunch View Trail was worked end to end, as well as the or snack and water. Also recommended are hat, Tri-Peaks trails. Many of these trails have not sunscreen, long pants and gloves. Trail-working had serious maintenance for many years. Other tools will be provided. Children under 18 must be work has been done on trails in Topanga SP, accompanied by a parent or guardian. No reserva- Malibu Creek SP, and Conejo Open Space. Of tion is necessary. For more information, call 805- special interest is improvement of the Helipad 498-2475. Trail at the MASH site that recently received mention in the news. Special Day on Santa Cruz Island Trail work includes Lopping and trimming of vegetation Trails Council members and friends are invited Repairing water diversions and drainage to take an Island Packers’ ferry to Santa Cruz Is- Improvement of trail treads land in June for an interesting day of exploration, Repairing trail signage. picnics, relaxing and camaraderie. A guided hike by an interpretive ranger will be offered for those interested. The exact date has not been deter- Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. Iso- mined; check the TC website, www.smmtc.org, or lation over thousands of years has created unique call 818-222-4531. wildlife, plants, and archeological resources found Last year, several TC members and guests nowhere else on Earth. SMMTC has performed took the island excursion and found it very enjoy- trail maintenance for several years on Santa Cruz able. Porpoises were observed alongside during Island. the one-hour boat ride. Some of us explored the During May, all those interested in joining the trails and some relaxed at Scorpion Beach. Trails Council excursion are encouraged to check Santa Cruz Island, about 20 miles off the the TC website, www.smmtc.org, or call 818-222- coast, is part of Channel Islands National Park 4531 for the date and other information on this which includes four other islands — Anacapa, event.

2 Santa Cruz Island Trails Get Help From SMMTC

In addition to extensive trail maintenance work in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Trails Council continues to assist Channel Islands Na- tional Park in maintaining trails on Santa Cruz Island, reports volunteer Jerry Mitcham. In February, a three-person crew spent two long work days replacing steps and rebuilding switchbacks on the popular Cavern Point Trail at Scorpion Canyon. In March, a four-person crew spent three days in the Prisoners Harbor area rehabilitating the Del Norte Trail. Two years ago this trail was in such bad condition, it was closed. After the recent work it is now open and in very good condition. In spring 2008, three additional Santa Cruz projects are expected to bring the island trail Trail volunteers Jerry Mitcham and Al Bandel rest for a system to top condition prior to the busy sum- moment while working Cavern Point Trail on Santa mer season, when thousands of visitors will use Cruz Island. This two-mile loop offers magnificent the trails each month. coastal vistas with the possibility of viewing whales.

Many SMM Events Listed in Outdoors Trail Inventory Maps Available

Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council recom- The SMMNRA Interagency Trail Management Plan mends Outdoors, the quarterly publication of the (TMP) is currently on hold but trail inventory maps Santa Monica Mountains Fund, available online published by NPS in PDF format may be viewed at at http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/ www.nps.gov/samo/trails/roster.htm. upload/spring08.pdf Sample events of interest to trail users: Longer Than Our Backbone Trail 26th Annual Great Rendezvous Hikes, April 20, 2008 The Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Moun- Celebrate John Muir’s Birthday by joining one tains will be nearly 70 miles long when completed, of five Sierra Club hikes which converge at Trippet but that hardly compares with the really long trails Ranch in Topanga State Park for a birthday party listed here. from noon to 1pm. Help decorate and consume Pacific Crest Trail — 2638 miles the famous Great Rendezvous John Muir/Sierra Mexico to Canada (100% complete) Birthday Cake. Bring water and lunch. Info: 310- 559-3126 Appalachian Trail — 2164 miles

Santa Monica Mountains Native Plant Fair, May Maine to Georgia (100% complete) 31, 2008 at Paramount Ranch Enjoy the wonder and beauty of native plants, Continental Divide Trail — 2800 miles at home and in the park. Mexico to Canada (70% complete)

Tuesday Evening Hikes, June until mid-August California Coastal Trail — 1200 miles Meet at 6pm in Temescal Gateway parking lot Mexico to Oregon (over 50% complete) to carpool to trailhead.Wear hiking boots/sturdy Sources: shoes; bring water. 2.5 hours Temescal Canyon www.n2backpacking.com Association, www.temcanyon.org www.californiacoastaltrail.info/

3 BioBlitz: 24-Hour Species Inventory PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2008 Scheduled Dues are on a calendar year basis. Payments in

National Geographic Society in cooperation October and later are credited to the following with SMMNRA park agencies will conduct BioBlitz, year. Please make your check payable to SMMTC and mail it to P.O. Box 345, Agoura Hills, CA 91376. an intensive 24-hour census from noon 30 May to Thank you for your continued support. noon 31 May 2008 of all living creatures, plant and animal, in the Santa Monica Mountains. This Name: ______is the second of ten such events to be conducted, Address: ______one per year, by NGS. Headquarters for the Santa City: ______ZIP ______Monica Mountains BioBlitz will be Paramount E-mail: ______Ranch. The first BioBlitz took place in 2007 at Phone: ______Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. □ Check to have newsletter sent by e-mail

Scientist-led teams of volunteers will disperse MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES throughout the 150,000-acre Santa Monica Mountains to begin a nature inventory, observing Individual Memberships and recording as many plant and animal species □ Annual Membership — $35 as possible in 24 hours. Teams will wade in □ Life Membership — $350* creeks to find amphibians and aquatic insects, Business Memberships sweep nets through fields to count butterflies, Supporter — $100 search the chaparral for hidden wildflowers, ex- □ plore tidepools for marine invertebrates, and □ Patron — $250 catch bats with nets at night. In addition to the □ Benefactor — $500 inventory, there will be biodiversity presentations, Donation $______structured field exercises for kids and classes, * Life membership may be paid in three annual demonstrations of field technology, and exhibits payments of $150, $100 and $100 ranging from global biodiversity to local nature SMMTC is a tax exempt, non-profit organization photography. under IRS code 501 (c) (3) The Santa Monica Mountains BioBlitz is a won- derful opportunity to learn about nature in the Santa Monica Mountains, to meet and see how scientists learn about plants and animals in the field, and to enjoy outstanding activities and en- Bikers, please don’t startle tertainment. For more information or to join an inventory hikers or horses. team: www.nationalgeographic.com/bioblitz

CONTACTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council Ruth Gerson Linda Palmer Mail: P.O. Box 345 President Vice President Agoura Hills, CA 91376 Georgia Farinella Michele Kemmer Phone: 818-222-4531 Secretary Treasurer E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.smmtc.org

DIRECTORS Ruth Gerson, President Liz Baumann Lylene Sheets [email protected] — 818-991-1236

Howard Cohen George Sherman Ed Stauss, Newsletter Editor Mike Crowley Ed Stauss [email protected] — 818-883-7843