Vasquez Rocks and Yerba Buena Backbone Trail

Los Angeles is not the first place that comes to mind when I think of great hiking. Hanna and I headed down to visit her parents in La Crescenta; their home backing up nicely to the San Gabriel Mountains. We visited Vasquez Rocks in the San Gabriels for a 5 mile hike. Vasquez Rocks has been featured in quite a few movies including Star Trek and features a unique geology that sets it apart from other parks in the basin like Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego.

Vasquez Rocks, San Gabriel Mountains


We also hiked the beautiful Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica mountains near Ventura. The hike was 6.5 miles with unique rock formations and occasional ocean views. The peak of Mt. Allen is 3,111 ft in elevation and marks the highest point in the Santa Monicas. We chose the Yerba Buena Canyon Road for our return trip, which takes you down to the beach near Ventura.

This hike was actually a back-up plan, we had reservations to take a ferry to the Channel Islands, however strong wind and waves caused the ferry company to cancel all outgoing trips. We tried to book a trip to Catalina Island and was warned they had outgoing ferries however ferries returning to San Pedro from the Island were in danger of being cancelled. Next time.

Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains:


(Balance Rock in upper left corner of picture)


Thousands of lady bugs






Hanna's Volvo turbo hitting a mileage milestone on the way home, in Wasco, of all places.