June 1, 2008A watery playground where a mountain stream has carved through giant boulders
| The Grotto Santa Monica mountains, Ventura county June 1, 2008 A watery playground where a mountain stream has carved through giant boulders |
 At the Boney Mtn. trailhead parking lot. Last week I hiked up to there to Sandstone Peak via Backbone Trail. |
 Today, I'll be following the canyon down from the road. The Grotto starts below that rocky cliff in the center, about 3 miles via twisty trail. |
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 In case you're feeling invincible... |
 Lots of shady bowers await |
 At the Grotto, the trail ends. You reach it by clamboring down steep ruts and over giant boulders. |
 On either side, tall peaks tower above the canyon and ancient trees grow in odd directions. |
 The main part of the Grotto from below. Theres a guy on top of the rock. |
 There are minerals that turn the water bright green in places. |
 A little waterfall provides the soundtrack. |
 Most streams in So. Cal. are dry this time of year. To see deep pools and hear burbling water is unique. Next time I'll wade through to a hidden place. |
 Torrential winter water twists the trees into tortured shapes. |
 Directly in the middle of the stream, this tree has suffered a lot of abuse by water. There are rocks lodged in the hole. |
 I hiked a half mile downstream below the Grotto to see what I could see. |
 Lots of pools formed where giant boulders rolled down the mountain. Felt like I was the first person ever to see this place. |
 A perfect idyll for the weary - cool breezes, a shady spot by a waterfall, icy mountain water to cool down with. |
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 A nice meadow on the trail back. A perfect way to spend four hours. |
 Just another day in Southern California |
 Several paragliders were thermaling. |
 Not ready to go home yet, I drove down the coast, slipped on my blades and hit the beach bike trail for a 12 mile skate. Now I'm tired! |
