Valerie and I decide to check off another previously unexplored stretch of Palos Verdes' 42 miles of public trails by driving to the Forrestal Nature Reserve on the far side of the peninsula. Walking up to the trailhead from where we park, we notice a really cool treehouse.
Trailhead for Pirate Trail
Trailhead for Pirate Trail (looking southeast up from the bottom)
As soon as we turn the corner, we are presented with our first choice...Quarry Trail veers north and Pirate Trail continues to the east.
We decide to use the right-hand rule (notice how Valerie doesn't wait for me to take photos)
As we continue our climb and Pirate Trail begins to veer north, I look back to check our progress. The corner in view is where Phantom Drive (from the south) meets Pirate Drive. I'm glad I get this shot of Catalina Island before we lose sight of it.
Valerie stands on a rock. I believe the house just visible by her head is located behind the gates of Rolling Hills.
Valerie on the rock...with just a touch of Catalina still visble beyond the trees. The fork to her left is Coolheights Trail. A quick check on Google Maps suggests this is a very short branch that merely connects our loop with nearby homes along Coolheights Road...
...so we continue our trek along Pirate Trail
Where does this trail go? It goes up.
Yeah, I'd say the area to our left looks closed
And now it looks kinda dangerous
We're almost high enough that I get an unobstructed view of Catalina Island again
What is Valerie looking at?
This is what Valerie was looking at
Yeah, I wouldn't want to climb over the railing, but the canyon view from here is awesome! I have to take this shot ultra wide to fully appreciate it.
We face another choice of trails, but continuing upward. Mariposa Trail will take us on a loop of this reserve.
Cristo Que Viento Trail just keeps going up into the Palos Verdes Hills. We decide to take the loop.
Rock stacking seems to be a popular activity for hikers
I think Mariposa Trail has finally leveled off
Valerie stands on a bridge over Mariposa Canyon Creek
Forrestal Nature Reserve Smartphone Panorama
