Pt. Mugu

La Jolla Canyon in Pt. Mugu State Park has some of the best ocean views in Southern CA. The backcountry normally has lush meadows, but the area was recently devasted by the Springs fire. There is a great loop with 12 miles and 2,000' gain.
IMG_2087 I had been wanting to do a run at La Jolla Canyon at Pt. Mugu Park for a while. I had run races there multiple times but never had a chance to do a run for fun....
I had been wanting to do a run at La Jolla Canyon at Pt. Mugu Park for a while. I had run races there multiple times but never had a chance to do a run for fun.…
IMG_2116 Three weeks later, roughly one month after the fire, the trails had been re-opened and I headed back to check them out. Here we see the end of the Ray Miller...
Three weeks later, roughly one month after the fire, the trails had been re-opened and I headed back to check them out. Here we see the end of the Ray Miller…
IMG_2123 Heading up the narrow, rocky canyon.
Heading up the narrow, rocky canyon.
IMG_2124 The overhead chapparal is mostly gone or skeletal now, but the colors are oddly beautiful. Tons of oranges, yellows, dark browns and blacks that you usually...
The overhead chapparal is mostly gone or skeletal now, but the colors are oddly beautiful. Tons of oranges, yellows, dark browns and blacks that you usually…
IMG_2128 The end of the burned out La Jolla Canyon with one surviving Yucca plant already blooming.
The end of the burned out La Jolla Canyon with one surviving Yucca plant already blooming.
IMG_2133 The Pt. Mugu backcountry. Totally barren. It feels like a foreign planet. Some of the trees have partially survived in the creek beds, but that's about it.
The Pt. Mugu backcountry. Totally barren. It feels like a foreign planet. Some of the trees have partially survived in the creek beds, but that's about it.
IMG_2135 Freshly groomed trail winding through the charcoal. Sad but fascinating.
Freshly groomed trail winding through the charcoal. Sad but fascinating.
IMG_2141 Looking back down La Jolla Canyon towards the coastline.
Looking back down La Jolla Canyon towards the coastline.
IMG_2145 Panoramic view of the coast from the Mugu Peak trail.
Panoramic view of the coast from the Mugu Peak trail.
IMG_2147 The Mugu Peak trail has some of the most amazing views in the area. 1,000' above the water, less than a half mile from the surf. Unfortuantely, it was a...
The Mugu Peak trail has some of the most amazing views in the area. 1,000' above the water, less than a half mile from the surf. Unfortuantely, it was a…
IMG_2148 Hills of blackened cacti.
Hills of blackened cacti.
IMG_2154 Top of the Chumash Trail. 880' drop in 0.7 miles.
Top of the Chumash Trail. 880' drop in 0.7 miles.
IMG_2163 I took a quick detour off the Xterra course up to the top of Mugu Peak.
I took a quick detour off the Xterra course up to the top of Mugu Peak.
IMG_2156 Flag and sign-in box on Mugu Peak at 1,266'.
Flag and sign-in box on Mugu Peak at 1,266'.
IMG_2155 A cool video of the marine layer blowing over the peak.
A cool video of the marine layer blowing over the peak.
IMG_2165 Down into the backcountry and what is left of the giant meadows. This area is normally waist to head high grasses. Now there's nothing.
Down into the backcountry and what is left of the giant meadows. This area is normally waist to head high grasses. Now there's nothing.
IMG_2169 All that's left of the meadows. But less than one month after the fire, green sprouts are already showing!
All that's left of the meadows. But less than one month after the fire, green sprouts are already showing!
IMG_2178 It looks like someone just trucked in millions of pounds of mulch.
It looks like someone just trucked in millions of pounds of mulch.
IMG_2179 Oddly picturesque.
Oddly picturesque.
IMG_2185 Amazing colors.
Amazing colors.