VISITNG THE STOUGH CANYON LOOP TRAIL - Discovering a Forgotten Scout Camp In The Verdugo Mountains скачать в хорошем качестве

VISITNG THE STOUGH CANYON LOOP TRAIL - Discovering a Forgotten Scout Camp In The Verdugo Mountains

Stough Canyon Loop: Stough Canyon Loop in Burbank sits in the Verdugo Mountains, an area once inhabited by the Tongva people. The loop begins at the Stough Canyon Nature Center, built in the late 1990s to educate visitors about local ecology and history. A rustic wooden bridge leads to its entrance. Free parking makes access easy and parking spots are abundant. The trail provides sweeping views of the rolling hills surrounding the San Fernando Valley, and native chaparral, perfect for hikers seeking a quick yet rewarding nature walk. Wildflowers In The Mountains: Stough Canyon Loop features a rich variety of wildflowers, native bushes, and drought-resistant trees thriving along the trail. The slopes are lined with chaparral—dense, aromatic shrubs adapted to California’s dry climate—intermixed with desert species like yucca and hardy oaks. Some plants cling to rugged mountain cliffs, creating striking bursts of green against rocky slopes. Hikers may spot bees pollinating blossoms, and birds darting between branches and gliding through the sky, creating a mystical feel to the area, as well as occasional deer or lizards crossing the path. This diverse ecosystem creates a vibrant, ever-changing landscape that showcases Southern California’s resilient and beautiful natural life. Difficulty of Hike: The Stough Canyon Loop’s path is easy to follow, with well-placed, clearly marked signs guiding hikers at every turn. Along the way, some landscapes feel almost alien—gnarled trees, jagged rocks, and unusual plants create otherworldly scenes. Ingenious stonework channels rainwater, with rock walls and carved gullies built to prevent erosion and direct water downhill safely. Water silos, placed strategically, stand ready for wildfire emergencies. This careful blend of natural beauty and functional design makes the hike both enchanting and thoughtfully engineered. Panoramic Views: From Stough Canyon’s main viewpoint, the San Fernando Valley unfolds in a vast panorama—neighborhoods dotted with houses, suburban streets weaving between modern buildings, and rooftops catching the sunlight. The 134 and 5 freeways curve through the basin, their steady streams of cars gliding like ribbons of light. In the distance lies the valley’s layered history, from former Tongva homelands to the fertile farmland that thrived before Burbank’s 1887 incorporation. Today, modern construction marks the horizon, yet the view is a subtle reminder that this valley has always been a place of movement, growth, and possibility. Old Scout Camp: At Stough Canyon’s Old Scout Camp, the charred remains of a mid-century Boy Scout lodge linger—marked by a weathered chimney and foundation, hauntingly beautiful and eerily still. Nature has gently reclaimed the site, cloaking it in quiet mystery as the Verdugo Mountains stretch far beyond, their ridges fading into the sky. For most hikers, I recommend ending the hike here, but the trail does extend into a longer, less-maintained journey beyond the camp, where paths grow more remote. Though not the longest hike, it’s a pleasant one, with each step feeling welcoming—inviting hikers to explore this serene, storied refuge in the hills. #stoughcanyon #verdugomountains #burbankhikes