Happy trails — annual Mayor’s Hike celebrates stewardship of open space
La Cañada Flintridge residents and outdoor enthusiasts laced up their walking shoes Saturday and hit the trails above Descanso Gardens, participating in the fourth annual Mayor’s Hike — Len’s Loop — alongside La Cañada Mayor Len Pieroni.
A dedicated crowd braved summer-like temperatures and the 1.5-mile trek of moderate difficulty, which offered stunning hilltop views of several points of interest, including the Foothill (210) Freeway.
“The hike was terrific,” Pieroni said by email Monday. “We had a good turnout, 50-plus hikers. The weather was wonderful, and the trail was in good shape.”
Members of the La Cañada Flintridge Trails Council handed out hiking bags with “Len’s Loop” logos on them, and a representative from state Sen. Anthony Portantino’s office presented the mayor with an official proclamation to the city marking the occasion.
After the hourlong hike, participants’ endurance was rewarded with a picnic following the hike that included goodies provided by La Cañada Imports as well as informational handouts from Southern California Edison and the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.
La Cañada Flintridge Trails Council President Tom Reynolds said each year’s hike showcases a different segment of the city’s 26 miles of trails. This year, hikers were pleased to be able to access the property behind Descanso Gardens, with permission from the leadership there.
It’s all made possible by the decades-long partnership of the Trails Council, which acts as a steward of the trail system, with city and county officials who help maintain it.
“In a town like this it’s hard to find open spaces,” Reynolds said. “That’s why the commitment that began over 30 years ago to preserve these open spaces is so important. We’re the eyes and ears, and they go out and make things happen.”
