Month: April 2018

Wasn’t Too Bad a Prep Was It?

Ranger Ted and his family show how just a little bit of preparation can make for a great adventure outside. Just keep to the basics and head on out: Water, snacks, sunblock and phone. Add a couple more items like binoculars, nature guides and extra layers for fun and that’s all you need to connect to wonder! Ted Mattison, also known as Ranger Ted, is a Certified California Naturalist, trained in Wilderness First Aid, and has explored, hiked, canoed and […]

Trail Tuesday

Connect you and your loved ones to wonder and the great outdoors by taking a little walk outside today. Find a trail near you to explore. Put just a little bit of thought into your preparation and get out there and have fun! This video highlights a great and very accessible part of Griffith Park in Los Angeles Ted Mattison, also known as Ranger Ted, is a Certified California Naturalist, trained in Wilderness First Aid, and has explored, hiked, canoed […]

Snakes Schmakes!

Just cruising along on a busy-ish trail in Temescal Gateway Park in the Pacific Palisades. Was with a lovely couple of families and their kids, noticing the great oaks, sycamores and arroyo willows when – WHOA! We stopped and there was a sizeable California Coastal or California Mountain Kingsnake! Kingsnake I’ve hiked the greater Los Angeles area for 25 years now and have seen just a few snakes: a couple rattlers, a gopher snake or two but never the Coastal […]

A little effort goes a long way

Today I led a hike up to the Hollywood Sign. 700 feet in elevation gain, 4.4 miles round trip with some fairly steep sections of road/trail. Two lovely parents from Mountainside, CA with their 18 month old girl made it the entire way with a little help from me and our hiking mates. What I loved about this couple was their absolute determination and ‘what me worry?’ attitude. It was a tremendous day with exceptional views made only better by […]