Santa Ynez Canyon

Probably my favorite trail in the Santa Monica mountains. A 4 mile out-and-back with about 700' of gain climbing to the ridge above Trippet Ranch in Topanga Canyon. In just minutes you can completely forget you're so close to an urban metropolis.
IMG_1320 Trailhead in the Palisades Highlands. No dogs and no bikes, I wish all trails were that way!
Trailhead in the Palisades Highlands. No dogs and no bikes, I wish all trails were that way!
IMG_1322 Tight single track, much of it with overhead foliage. Awesome running.
Tight single track, much of it with overhead foliage. Awesome running.
IMG_1324 A short detour to a (almost always dry) waterfall.
A short detour to a (almost always dry) waterfall.
IMG_1328 Though the detour here is umaintained, it's easy to follow once you've done it once or twice.
Though the detour here is umaintained, it's easy to follow once you've done it once or twice.
IMG_1393 Almost always guaranteed to have a deer sighting on this trail.
Almost always guaranteed to have a deer sighting on this trail.
IMG_1493 Beautiful single track.
Beautiful single track.
IMG_2758 The
The "waterfall", or at least where it would be in a wet year. It might be almost 10 feet high if it was really flowing.
IMG_2760 Today, there is just a trickle off the moss.
Today, there is just a trickle off the moss.
IMG_1329 Back on the main trail up the canyon.
Back on the main trail up the canyon.
IMG_1528 Love the tree cover.
Love the tree cover.
IMG_1366 More great single track.
More great single track.
IMG_1367 Deer are a given almost every time out on the trail.
Deer are a given almost every time out on the trail.
IMG_1505 More deer.
More deer.
IMG_1378 Nearing the end of the canyon.
Nearing the end of the canyon.
IMG_1334 Starting the steep climb out of the canyon. The 700' of gain on this trail is almost entirely in the second mile.
Starting the steep climb out of the canyon. The 700' of gain on this trail is almost entirely in the second mile.
IMG_1507 A view back down the canyon from about halfway up to the ridge.
A view back down the canyon from about halfway up to the ridge.
IMG_1379 More stairs.
More stairs.
IMG_1508 A prominent rock point almost up to the ridge.
A prominent rock point almost up to the ridge.
IMG_1390 Almost to the ridge, looking back down the canyon.
Almost to the ridge, looking back down the canyon.
IMG_1364 The view down the canyon and all the way out to the ocean in the distance.
The view down the canyon and all the way out to the ocean in the distance.