Solstice Canyon: A Substitute for Fall Foliage

Aren’t leaves supposed to change color in the fall? Where are those burnt reds, those deep oranges and golden yellows? You’re right, we exempt ourselves from the changing of the seasons here in LA, and though it would be nice to see some fall foliage, I’ll gladly take a lack of seasons over those nasty east coast winters.

But then again, I’m from San Francisco so I’m pretty biased.

So in discussing this sentiment as I always do with my east coast friends—they really fight hard for their love of the snow “but we get to sit on our cafeteria trays and sled down the hills!” Yeah, but you also have to bundle up for a five minute walk to class and you are sweating by the time you get there.

I decided to interview an east-coaster about what a real autumn is like and any actions he has taken recently to fulfill this lack of sun-colored leaves.  Coincidentally, my interviewee is currently applying to med school so I asked his opinion on the nature-deficit disorder I discussed in earlier blogs.

So KP, what is a real fall like?

Starting at the end of September, so right now, and through October, October is the main thrust, the leaves start changing.  You never notice the first ten leaves that change on the tree, but all of a sudden you look up to an orange tree that just yesterday was green.

It’s comforting when they start to change, things are moving, life is going.

In LA, there’s no kind of change, everything stays the same…this signals progression like you are moving toward something. I miss that.

So since you couldn’t get that authentic taste of fall you decided to venture out in the LA area?

Yeah we went to Solstice Canyon in the Malibu, it isn’t too far from my house (downtown), maybe a twenty minute drive without traffic.  It’s right next to the Getty.

How did you choose this particular hike?

My friend and I chose it because it’s an off-leash park and we wanted somewhere to bring our dog Jack. There aren’t many places where dogs can roam free—he was so excite dthe second we got there.  We took him off the leash and he darted off the second we got there, into the bushes then would end up back on the trail with us.

Did you enjoy the hike?

Of course. Any activity outdoors and with friends is a great experience.  This particular hike was beautiful-really nice reveals at the top of the mountain-lined with wild flowers and huge oak trees.

So you would definitely recommend the hike?

Absolutely. But there is a bit of a degree of difficulty. There were quite a few forks where you can choose to go up the hill or you can just go around it. If you are looking for a more strenuous hike you can just go straight up the mountain.   We did more of a round-a-bout and it only took a couple hours.

There weren’t that many people on the trail either. That is another thing I love about hikes—the people you do meet on the trail are so friendly and looking to explore just like you are.  We met some great people from London..our dogs started smelling each other.

(For amore detailed description and some wonderful photos check out Nancy Orozco’s blog or  Nobody Hikes in LA website which links to other helpful hiking blogs.)

As a pre-med student, what do you think of Richard Louv’s new phenomenon, nature deficit disorder?

I think it is important, really important, though a bit of a vague idea. I think kids’ lack of nature is a big problem in our societ—people are not getting out into nature anymore, me included. I think most would agree, there are a number of ways and health benefits from getting into the wilderness-It gets kids to be active in an arena other than their living room or even the soccer field.

One problem is that people don’t even think to hike as an activity.  An activity for me is going to lunch somewhere, or lying on the beach, but a hike is such a good way to get out.  I do though think it depends on where you live.  For people in norcal, or in Boulder for instance, they have many opportunities to hike as opposed to kids in Los Angeles.

Hikes too are also hard to publicize, I don’t think its in our thought process. Our culture now is going to the gym and running on treadmills, that’s a sad thing.

Do you think your move to Los Angeles was affected by this gym-mentality?

Yes, though I do come from a place with harsh winters so treadmills are big during those months.  But further, I think the idea of nature in shifting in our society. There is now more ubran “artificial nature” if you will. People are fascinated by buildings, structures, concrete-not losing their appreciation of the outdoors necessarily but more losing the old idea of what “Nature” or natural is.

And in this shift, without realizing it, people are literally forgetting that wilderness exists.

Begging question now, what is natural. How do you define natural, what if I make a park, a man made park, is that natural, is that nature?

(Tangent- The idea of Urban Wilderness though is gaining popularity.

A blurb about it: "wilderness" is not a concept that is exclusive to remote, pristine protected areas…recognizing wilderness value in the urban, human-dominated landscape can help make our cities more livable and its citizens healthier…”-I will discuss this in my next blog)

Any last thoughts on your hike or nature deficit disorder?

I HIGHLY recommend the Solstice Canyon hike. I mean after I hike, I get pumped up, excited…to complete something is always a good feeling.  I had no idea they were doing research on these affects of wilderness too, I think that is great. 

I mean there is definitely something to be said about Henry David Thoreau's ideals-nature can be peaceful and calming; a place where I can reflect.  So I get both physical and mental health benefits from nature. And I feel lucky to have this appreciation.  I just hope future generations are lucky enough find this in nature too.  There is nothing else like getting “into the wild” if you will. 

Back to you Angeleans-I know the weather is heating up, but we aren't living in a New England blizzard here.  Get up, get out, get wild.