Lets Take a Walk

I had originally intended to blog this event right after it happened, but life got busy and in the way. A few weeks ago while the weather was hot, the skies bright blue, and everything had a summer vibe to it, I took a walk. One of the few positive side effects to global warming, I guess, is summer in January. I thought about all the peoples stuck in cubes or classrooms and wanted to share a bright summer mini-hike with them.

In that spirit I decided to journey down this wonderful trail near Laura's house in the hills of Anaheim. It's funny how you can see something, right in front of you, and never put two and two together. Happens to me a lot. There are two equestrian/hiking trails in the neighborhood that thread their way down Weir Canyon. There is one at the top of the hill, by the house, and one that starts about half way down the canyon. I never thought of it before, but shouldn't those two trails join somewhere, I mean it would make sense. There is a big four lane street that dissects both trails, but no visible means of trail connectedness. I don't see a tunnel. Hmmm. Only one way to find out. In a bold, stunning move, I decided to take a walk down to the end of the upper trail and see if they connect anywhere; hopefully not through someones backyard. I took pictures as I walked along. Here is the story of that melodramatic journey. (queue the lights)

The beginning of the journey, Compass at the ready, straps tightened on the backpack, full canteen. That's the beginning of the trail below.
The road from the top of the development. Behind me is nothing but hills and coyotes. You can see the trail below.
Here the trail turns completely around and we are heading back towards the direction hence we came, for a little while anyway.
These bottle brushes look like tall soldiers guarding the trail head. I think one of them was starring at me, the one on the left.
Here things got mysterious. The trail took a dip down into a shaded ravine. It was dark and magical, and full of hobbits and trolls and little shimmering fairies.
Just past the deep dark forrest
Alas, the mystery is solved, we have connectivity. I'm not sure why, but tunnels can sometimes be kinda creepy, especially when full of vampires and pirates. Lucky for me this one just has the echoes of my footsteps.

Just past exiting the tunnel, we get another expansive view down the canyon.We begin the second half of the journey
I love the grouping of barren trees upcoming on the right
There is something strangely beautiful about this tree, as if you can see it's struggle to branch out and attain sunlight.
Parallel to homesteads and civilization, a strip of asphalt ruins our otherwise natural trail
I tried to capture a flower collecting warm sunlight. I'm thinking the flower was getting annoyed at my clumsy shadow.
The end of the trail. Beyond is the drab, necessary world of the ubiquitous American shopping center. You can see the traffic lights just beyond the trail head.