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News of the Arroyo
Title: | Larry Wilson: Up Rubio Canyon with a lawyer and a weather eye |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2010-01-20 |
Author: | Larry Wilson, Public Editor |
Publication: | Pasadena Star-News |
Content: | When I got back from hiking the trails of Rubio Canyon Saturday morning on a fantastic forced march led by that fanatic of the foothills, Paul Ayers, my legs were scratched up below the khaki shorts and I had Charlie in tow. "Wait a minute," said my wife. "I recall specifically the e-mail said both `wear long pants' and `no dogs."' She must have received another missive than I did, because the "Dear Friend of the Arroyos and Foothill Conservancy" I got says nothing of the sort. Just: "Wear comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen. Bring water. Rain or snow cancels. All hikes are moderate in difficulty with sections of narrow uphill and downhill trailways." It was the latter part that some of the dozen-plus hikers laughingly misremembered as we plunged down and up the mostly unimproved goat paths that criss-cross the 20 acres above Altadena and below the Angeles National Forest that the Conservancy recently purchased to keep as open space in perpetuity. "Hey, I thought this was billed as an `easy' hike!" said one. What, upset by teetering on a six-inch ledge that's a mite unstable with a 25-foot drop down below? Some of the trails were hacked out with a folding gardeners' saw by Ayers, the Glendale lawyer who has done such great pro bono work fighting a couple of La Vina residents who wanted to keep the rest of us off the historic right of way in Millard Canyon, and tussling with other homeowners who don't care for hikers, either. What's not to like? We were a quiet, nerdy bunch in floppy hats, excited by the acquisition victory. As we neared the summit of an hour-long trek, Ayers said, "Oh, and remember those Africanized bees I mentioned might attack when we get to the top? Remember, when they start stinging, just drop everything and run like hell, in a zig-zag pattern." Keeping a weather eye for swarms, we listened with pleasure to Ayers' anecdotes of life in the San Gabriels, including the fact that some of the private land in the canyon was owned by David Brin, the Caltech-grad author of the sci-fi novel "The Postman," later a Kevin Costner flick, and memories of an old hermit who lived up a canyon in a cave and a tar-sheet cabin, complete with a wind-up Victrola. There were girlie pin-ups on the interior walls, and the old loner, who professed to be prudishly religious, was asked why. "I'm praying for them," he said. Next hike, led by Paul to the Rubio falls, is this Saturday, Jan. 23 at 9 a.m., if it's not pouring; then Saturday, Feb. 13, Altadena historian Michele Zack leads a group with emphasis on the history of the Mt. Lowe Railway. If you'd like to go on either one, drop me a note and I'll forward it to the Conservancy. Random note for Wednesday: I'm informed by reliable sources - well, teenagers - that Gamble House tour guides, famously vigilant about stragglers and touchers, have now nixed text-messaging as well, because, see, you might crash into some of Charles' and Henry's teak or Port Orford cedar while distracted. Public Editor Larry Wilson's blog is www.insidesocal.com/publiceye. |