A Great Weekend - Hillsides and Mountain Ridges

Hi. everyone.

This past weekend Java and I explored the hillsides in
and around Westlake Village. Saturday we traversed
the Hillcrest Open Space Preserve a small island of
undeveloped land in the midst of a area characterized
by heavily populated communities. From the trailhead
a short, but steep ascent quickly rewarded us 360
degree views of the heavily populated corridor along
the 101 freeway as well as the southwest end of the
Simi Valley to the North and Oak Park to the East. We
hiked a meandering 7+ miles up and down a broad old
fire road down into canyon folds, and to additional
peaks with impressive views of the surrounding
mountain ranges.

On Sunday, we returned to the area and hiked the aptly
named Sandstone Hills Trail. Immediately noticeable
after the first 100 yards frotmt he trail head was an
improvement in the quality of the trail and terrain
versus our prior day of exploration - The trail was
well maintained, and much more secluded. Each bend
and rise in the trail greeted us with new and unique
views of nearby Simi Peak, the Santa Monica mountain
range, and the many ridge lines of the distant Sespe
Wilderness. Although several variations are possible,
our route was only a moderate, approximately 7 miles;
best described by a short summary of what we saw:
Pebbles, rocks, boulders; ants, bees, birds, hawks...
Mounds, hills, mountains; grasses, bushes, trees...
Breezes, gusts, winds... A short list of the many
small and large wonders we encountered this weekend.

I'm loving life and hope you are too! Take care.

-Manny