Edible Plants in LA

Pasadena -- Visitors should be very cautious when discerning what plants in Los Angeles' Eaton Canyon are edible or not.

Earlier, we took a group of Boy Scouts out into the canyon to learn about and discover our local plants and their communities. Both Scouts and adults were amazed how many plants and berries are in fact good to eat.

Naked Tree Dives Head First into Trail

Pasadena, CA -- Every time I walk past this coast live oak tree, I chuckle.

LA Waterfall Attracts Weekend Walkers

Pasadena, CA -- Los Angeles experienced a little Summer on Saturday.

The warm day attracted many a hiker to the hills above Pasadena. Those willing to hike over fallen trees, thick brush and numerous stream crossings enjoyed a refreshing, 50-foot waterfall at the end of the half-mile trail. Although the trail was packed with weekend warriors and water-lovers, the reward of this simple yet tricky walk inside the box canyon is always well worth the effort.

Another example of the diversity of Los Angeles.

Passion for Cactus

Beavertail Cactus are abundant in and around Southern California. It thrives in the canyons and home gardens in the LA area, but never have I seen such a subspecies such as this.... It looked as though someone "modified" the beavertails into valentine figurines.

Eaton Canyon Swells

Pasadena, CA -- As the rain continued to pour, the banks of the Eaton Canyon stream widened, bringing much-needed water to our drought-burdened town.

Despite the problems storms can brings to some, I love to get out and experience the rain. One of my favorite destinations during downpours is Eaton Canyon--a quick 5-minute drive from my house. Rain water accumulates from the steep San Gabriel mountains and flow into tributaries, eventually collecting in the canyon. As like today (Saturday), there were a few spectators standing on the banks of the stream, watching the muddy water pass through rocks and shrubs.

In 1938 and again in 1969, this quaint little stream made headlines as water nearly ten-feet high rushed through the canyon, destroying buildings, bridges, homes and trees along the way to the Pacific Ocean. Since then, debris dams and reservoirs were built to help control the torrents of water that come during some of our wet winters.

Got to love this storm!

Walking in the Rain

Pasadena, CA -- Rain-lovers brave the storm and venture a muddy, dirt road to see the swollen stream in Eaton Canyon.

Double Trouble

Pasadena -- Poison oak entangled with cactus; a dangerous combination. I found this nasty duo along a trail in Eaton Canyon the other day. Anyone who missed a step would find themselves in a world of hurt for days if not weeks.

But today is St. Patrick's Day and I thought the green was fitting.

Kids...

A cool day under cloudy skies didn't keep hikers and rock-hoppers away from Eaton Canyon. The little boy above was getting a verbal lashing by his parents for getting his shoes wet. But we all know that getting our feet wet is half the fun.

Eaton Canyon is in Pasadena, at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains--six minutes from my home base. During strong rain storms, the canyon floods, turning boulders, trees and even an occasional building down its swollen banks. Days like today, families, joggers and bird-watchers fill the trails and water ways with the sounds of frogs, dogs and people laughing.

It was a great day not unlike many winter afternoons in Southern California.