Spring arrives in the Sta Monica Mountains, Malibu, California

Here are some photos from a hike I did today along the Sta Monica Mountains..this canyon is close to where Sunset Blvd., ( yes the same one as in Hollywood) meets the ocean at Pacific Coast Highway, and just 10 minutes from shops, stores and Civilization...you wouldn't think so as it is the home to Mountain Lion, Brown Bears, Deer and Rattlesnakes, in fact 5 years ago I saw a 6ft Rattlesnake..actually crossed the path just in front of me I slowly walked backwards away from it!
A good thing to remember as much as it might be the "Entertainment Capital of the World", it is still surrounded by  wild uninhabited land.

An old oak grove

Artists love California because of the light

New growth of California Oak..the leaves resemble Holly and are somewhat prickly

the one path in and out

wild mallow flower

Wild deer trail

This park is not maintained, there are no Ranger stations, no bathrooms, and no parking lot.
The land is allowed to "grow wild", there is only one track in and the same track out.
All other trails are made by wild animals, and it is better to stay on the trail.
Also wear long pants because of snakes and deer ticks, and always carry a good walking stick.
Although we are 3 inches below our seasonal rain water table the park is alive with new growth and there are plants flowering that i have never seen in flower before. The green grasses will be gone in a few moths once the weather heats up.

There are lots of California Oak trees that were a staple in the diet of Chumash and lots of other Native American tribes as in the Fall they collected the acorns and made a flour that sustained them through the winter months.

The large dark green trees to the right of the photo are California Oaks

There is a stream that flows all year..a major fresh water source for the animals in the area

Wild Mimosa