Twilight Trail

Destination: El Escorpion Canyon Park

Cost: gas only

Hot weather makes the thought of hiking less appealing, but I needed a break from bustle and the noise of the city, so I returned to a favorite spot at twilight: El Escorpion Canyon Park.

Easily accessible at the end of Vanowen Blvd. in West Hills, with free parking on the street – these trails, which lead into the Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve, are suitable for a short leg stretch or some serious hiking. It was only a decade ago that this land was permanently protected. Developers wanted to build over 3,000 homes, two golf courses and a shopping center in this oak chapparal in the Simi Hills.  Local activitists mobilized and were successful in getting the land sold to State of California, under the protection of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

It’s really best to visit in the late winter or early spring when the hills are green and wildflowers blooming, but even in the dry, dusty summer, there’s plenty to explore here. The largest trail veers up a hillside to the left and leads to the Victory Boulevard trailhead for the Las Virgenes Preserve. Small user trails to the right, just past the chain link fence which marks the boundary between Los Angeles and Ventura counties, take you to Indian Caves (also called Cave of the Munits)  and up to Castle Peak – the prominent rocky outcropping at the entrance to the canyon.

Today, I crossed the dry creek bed to the north shortly after entering the park, and followed the alternate trail up canyon. I picked my way gently, wary of poison oak and rattlesnakes. There’s evidence of human habitation here, with some non-native palms in the stream bed and a few rusty water tanks along the trail. I came upon a beautiful stand of oaks in a flat clearing – just begging for a picnic table. As the canyon narrowed, the trail turned north again and headed up to a ridge. Coming back down, there were fine views of the San Gabriel Mountains.

I did encounter a snake, lazing on a trail. It didn’t appear to be a rattler, but I kept a wide berth, just in case. There were only a few other folks in the canyon, some trail runners, dog walkers (with aggressive, barking pets – some off leash) and a couple of casual explorers, like myself. Returning to the car at dusk, with a soft breeze coming down canyon, I was grateful for this special spot of open space so close to home.

Note: The entrance sign says “El Scorpion Canyon Park”