Gary Valle's Photography on the Run

Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve: Morning Mountain Lion Tracks

Gary Valle — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 03:35:31 +0000

Update August 27, 2026. Spotted fresh mountain lion tracks in the same area of Upper Las Virgenes Canyon on my run this morning. Most of my weekday runs at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (“Ahmanson”) are in the afternoon. But when the thermometer gets above 90 degrees or so, I shift my schedule … Continue reading Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve: Morning Mountain Lion Tracks →

The Amazing Adaptations of the Barn Owl Wing

Gary Valle — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:14:26 +0000

Update September 1, 2026. Found another (partial) barn owl wing on August 28 in East Las Virgenes Canyon about a quarter-mile from the wing found on July 21. On a recent run in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch), I came across the wing of an American barn owl (Tyto furcata). It … Continue reading The Amazing Adaptations of the Barn Owl Wing →

California Buckwheat Along the Strawberry Trail

Gary Valle — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:42:29 +0000

California buckwheat was in full flower along the Strawberry Trail this July. A couple of other wildflowers also having banner years were Summer bush penstemon and sapphire woollystar. The reason I was out photographing wildflowers is that I was running half of the Mt. Disappointment 50K course. I started at Clear Creek, circled Strawberry Peak, … Continue reading California Buckwheat Along the Strawberry Trail →

Out and Back Trail Run to Mt. Baden-Powell from the Crystal Lake Recreation Area

Gary Valle — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:56:18 +0000

The damage from the fires and flash floods in 2025 and 2026 has limited access to some of my favorite trailheads in the San Gabriel Mountains. At times, it has been difficult to tell what’s open and what isn’t. I was thinking about doing a trail run to Mt. Baden-Powell, so checked the Caltrans Road … Continue reading Out and Back Trail Run to Mt. Baden-Powell from the Crystal Lake Recreation Area →

Mt. Wilson – Rim Trail – Chantry Flat – Winter Creek Loop

Gary Valle — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:31:09 +0000

Because so many trails radiate from the summit of Mt. Wilson, it is a convenient starting point for several scenic and challenging loops. Following the 2020 Bobcat Fire and subsequent flash flooding, Chantry Flat and some trails in Big Santa Anita Canyon reopened in October 2024. The remaining trails, such as the Mt. Zion Trail, … Continue reading Mt. Wilson – Rim Trail – Chantry Flat – Winter Creek Loop →

Heart-leaved Penstemon Along the Garapito Trail

Gary Valle — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 03:07:23 +0000

Recently, I’ve run twice from the Top of Reseda into Topanga State Park. Both times, I did a variation of the Trippet Ranch Loop that tacks on an out-and-back on Temescal Ridge Fire Road from the Hub to a high point where a fire lookout used to be, Temescal Lookout. The out-and-back passes by the … Continue reading Heart-leaved Penstemon Along the Garapito Trail →