Ladyface Mountain
To my innumerable audience, please hike this one. It is, in my opinion, the quintessential suburban hike, which offers a wild setting and at the same time eye-opening views of the surrounding populated areas. It serves to situate oneself in Agoura, and it offers a marker than can be seen for miles away on the 101 Freeway and even out in Moorpark. And finally, it is one of my favorite local hikes.
Ladyface isn't a long hike. AllTrails says it is 2.1 miles, and in my experience it feels like even less. All it is is a quick up and down the mountain. I've done it easily in an afternoon, and usually in about 3 hours total. But for such a short hike, it offers a hobbit like trail which, after winding steeply up the mountain, traverses its narrow ridge of a peak and makes you feel like you are embarking on a truly magical journey. Which, to be fair, you are, it just also so happens to be 2 miles away from a Starbucks.
Given a little effort, and you at once you are exposed to the elements, at once you have far reaching views of large houses and the surrounding hills. When at the top, you can climb along one of the few easily accessible knife edges in the Santa Monica Mountains, and if you are really adventurous, you can do a little Class 3 scrambling and rock climbing, which is required if you want to reach the flag on top. There have been times on this hike when I have chosen not to do so, however, because the exposure presents a rather high consequence if you fall, on the order of broken bones (and maybe even death if you really push it). The same knife edge that makes this hike truly exciting can also make this hike dangerous if you push beyond your limits. In this way the hike is wild--an unpredictable path cloaked with a little danger, awesome views, and a difficult ascent.
Also, be wary of the poison oak. The first time I hiked this trail I became
unsurreptitiously covered in it, though on subsequent climbs I couldn't find it. It does exist though, and when I have gone legally on private trails on the other side of the mountain I have seen plenty of the stuff. Regardless, I would recommend wearing pants anyway on this one, because often there are overhanging bushes and some sharp rocks if you climb. Trekking poles might also help, and don't forget the sunscreen because this one can get quite hot.
All in all it's a fantastic hike, and I imagine I will do it many more times in the future. Happy hiking!
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