We arrived at the trailhead by 10am
and started down the gently descending canyon.
Our first real obstacle was the 710 freeway. Luckily someone had already blazed a bypass route which ran underneath the roadway.
After contouring around CSULA,
we turned northward and came across a small pond
while crossing the 10 freeway.
Next was a 270' ascent through University Hills.
Someone had abandoned a '50s Chevy here.
And there were lots of baby cougars roaming about.
It was nice to see a trail crew hard at work.
We met some backpackers who took forever to pitch a large tent that looked exactly like a house.
Wildflowers bloomed almost everywhere we looked.
We found an abandoned shelter being slowly incorporated into the natural surroundings by vines and such.
Our next climb of the day took place in the Ascot Hills.
Then, as we continued our up and down journey through the canyons and over the hillsides, subtle but mighty Rose Hill challenged our fortitude.
This 380' gain seemed like at least double that.
But taking on this challenge together strengthened our friendship.
And the views at the top were well worth the exhaustion.
In fact the experience reminded me of the brief month I spent in Paradise.
After Rose Hill came even more beautiful Montecito Heights.
A local was kind enough to take a picture of us as we approached the highpoint.
He also told us about a semi-secret vista point off Fenn Street Trail, where we enjoyed some snacks.
None of these pleasantries were had for free, though. They required another 220' of backbreaking gain, plus a long, winding descent along a cabin-lined fire road.
Eventually we made it down into the concrete-lush Arroyo Seco,
where a man was jogging his bicycle.
And some ducks were waiting for us to leave.
At some point the trail abandoned the creekbed and meandered near and through some open fields.
In one field wild horses playfully raced around in circles.
The trail then shot us out of the canyon
and toward our final destination: Poppy Peak.
By now Cecelia's heel had been blistering for a couple miles. But she realized this might be her only opportunity to reach Poppy Peak this season. So she powered through the pain.
The final push through Pasadena took us to an elevation of 1,031 feet, where we stealthily hiked up a private driveway
and marveled at the splendorous expanse only offered by Poppy Peak.
Fulfilled, we then limped down to Avenue 64 and rode the bus home.
Final Stats: 15.5 miles; 1750' gain; 7.5 hours
CalTopo: http://caltopo.com/map?id=3H6O
