As part of the daily hiking regime, we’ve spent some time at Topanga State Park. When we were living here, the people on the other side of our road, Waveview Drive, abutted the north side of the park.
Per Wikipedia: The park is located adjacent to the community of Topanga, within the City of Los Angeles. Covering 11,000 acres (45 km²), with thirty-six miles of trails and unimproved roads, the park’s boundaries stretch from Topanga Canyon toPacific Palisades and Mullholland Drive. There are more than 60 trail entrances. Topanga State Park is not only the largest park in the Santa Monica Mountains, but it’s also considered to be the largest park located in the limits of a city.
We were terribly disappointed by the impact the drought has had on the park. The last 10 years have been below average rainfall, and the last 5 of those have been extreme drought.
Here are pictures from 2006-2007:
The beautiful (and protected) oak trees are dying in multitudes. Where there was once a canopy of green, it is now dead branches and fallen branches.
Let’s hope that El Nino puts out for several years.
It is still a beautiful place to hike. Click on any picture for slideshow mode:
Hi Steve and Ellen,
I just LOVE being able to keep up with you guys and read your posts!!! I am out of the loop with what is happening with the Peace Corps thing, but gleaned from Ellen’s post that you won’t be going? Let me know if your travels will be back this way–you always have a place to stay in my small (but not tiny) house.
Love,
Janet
Hi Steve and Ellen,
Wow, the change in the trees is really tragic. It must be hard to see how the drought changed your park in Topanga.
I hope you are enjoying your time and your adventure.
Love you, Beth
PS Mac says hi. Mac barked at the bell at the end of each candidate’s debate last night. He thought someone was at the door. LOL I did not watch the debate but Sam was into it.