Sunday Morning Hike: Walker Ranch

The girls and I went for a hike this morning. Since I moved to Santa Clarita I've been sticking mainly to walks around town or a few select parks, mainly because I didn't want to try any hiking trails on my own. But after my sour and self-pitying mood of yesterday, I decided I needed to get out, come hell or highwater. I found this great site that belongs to the local Community Hiking Club, and their page on trail destinations is fantastic with very good directions.

I decided to do something easy, especially since the dogs aren't hiking dogs per se. We went to the Walker Ranch Trailhead off of Placerita Canyon Road at about 9 AM this morning. I was wondering if there would be anyone else there; even with the dogs, I'd feel better if there were a few other human beings around. I shouldn't have worried: there were already 8 other cars in the parking area when I got there. But while on the hike, I only encountered two groups of people.

As for what kind of a hike it is, I'll let the photos speak for themselves.








We went up the Waterfall Trail, but we stopped at a certain point; mainly because this was the girls' first real hike and they were just learning to encounter things like crossing water. This coming from two dogs who don't even like to walk on a wet sidewalk when somebody's got their sprinklers running.

Besides, we hit an especially dicey part and with me just wearing tennis shoes (don't ask; I have perfectly good hiking boots at home), I decided to turn back.





But what a glorious day. It certainly set my mood upright again, and it definitely got me to thinking of joining the local hiking club.

As for the girls, they learned to cross creeks and even did a little bouldering. Mt. Everest, here we come!