HAPPY CAMP

[Girl Hiker]

I hiked a new area today called Happy Camp with a friend of mine. The main entrance was a bit misleading because it doesn't really resemble a park as indicated on the sign which read Park Closed. There was yellow tape but we took a chance anyways because my friend said that the trail was open. From the sign we walked a mile to the actual trailhead. This area is very beautiful and secluded. We parked at a dead end close to avocado orchards located on both sides of the street.
The first half of the hike was mostly fire road then we descended into a woodsy canyon. After a couple of miles we reached the road again making it a lollipop loop hike.
On a positive note we did not find any tickets on our cars and we were the only ones on the trail. I think it is safe to hike there if anyone is interested.
Stats: 12 miles

[Girl Hiker]

We also found a dead snake on the trail.

and some pretty flowers

[Uncle Rico]

I once ran into a mountain lion at Happy Camp. I didn't literally run into a mountain lion, but I came around a bend in the canyon and watched the back end of a cat disappear into the underbrush just ahead of me. I then wisely bent down to get the camera out of my pack but the feline was gone. So nobody believes me.

Happy Camp is managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority on behalf of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. All SMMC park lands are presently closed. https://mrca.ca.gov/press/all-mrca-park ... -outbreak/

[Girl Hiker]

Uncle Rico, I believe you. As I was hiking that day, I thought about mountain lions but we didn't see any. My friend said that years ago, they did some off trail hiking in that area and found some property that had exotic animals including a giraffe. After a man spotted them he chased them away and said they were on his private property. Did you ever hear about such a place?
Well, now I do feel bad for hiking in a closed area but we thought the trail was still open. There weren't any closed signs at the trailhead.