Читать книгу 101 Hikes in Southern California. Exploring Mountains, Seashore, and Desert онлайн

57 страница из 88

HIKE 6

Charmlee Wilderness Park

Location: Santa Monica Mountains

Highlights: Spring wildflowers and ocean views

Distance: 2.8 miles (loop)

Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 500'/500'

Hiking Time: 1½ hours

Optional Maps: Trails Illustrated Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area or USGS 7.5-minute Triunfo Pass

Best Times: 8 a.m.–sunset, all year

Agency: CW

Difficulty: Easy

Trail Use: Dogs allowed, good for kids

Charmlee Wilderness Park (also known as Charmlee Natural Area), 590 acres of meadow, oak woodland, sage scrub, and chaparral, was first opened to the public in 1981 as a unit of the Los Angeles County park system. Today the City of Malibu administers the park, which lies on that coastal city’s western extremity. Never designed to accommodate a large number of visitors, Charmlee’s parking lot is often full on the weekends. A spiderweb of trails totaling 8 miles covers the park, making it a great place to ramble with family and friends for wildflower spotting in spring and ocean watching on any clear day. The perimeter route described below is pieced together out of the maze of unevenly signed footpaths and old ranch roads in the park. Never fear if you find yourself straying from the route; aim downhill to get to the ocean views and uphill to return to the parking area.