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Mountain Hike That Has It All
Scott Regberg
One of the great joys of hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains is the tremendous diversity of terrain and challenge.
Some hikes are pleasant strolls through meadows of flowers and others are class 3 climbing with exposure left and right.
One hike that has it all is the "Crack" route. It starts at the Topanga State Park, Palisades Highlands entrance. For the first 30 minutes, it's a canopied trail on level ground following the stream bed toward the clearly marked "Waterfall." This is an easy and very beautiful trail highlighted by several stream crossings, croaking frogs and a variety of flowers.
About a quarter-mile before the waterfall, there's a small trail that heads east up the hillside. Although steep, parts of the pathway are of highly porous sandstone-like rock that offers remarkable
traction.
In fifteen minutes, you gain several hundred feet as well as panoramic views of both the canyons and the Pacific. You'll also be at the base of the infamous "Crack," a 50-foot chimney chute of rock passage as narrow as a phone booth.
The only way up is to wedge your back against one wall with your feet against the other and scooch yourself up.
"Scooch" is, of course, a highly technical climbing term.
While expert rock climbers might take such a challenge in stride, it's a scary maneuver for first timers and always generates a sense of elation at the top.
But the hike doesn't end there. You have to negotiate a tricky little formation, traverse some razor ridges down and avoid those very speedy stinging red ants.
Stay tuned. And we'll follow the secret path back to civilization.
Ed note: Courageous readers who'd like to join a free Monday or Wednesday night hiking group may call Scott Regberg at
(310) 475 5735. |