For just a few short months every year, the Los Angeles River is open for the curious and adventurous explorer. Most people know the river from movies – its name bringing to mind a dry concrete wasteland filled with refuse and weeds, as featured in the famous chase scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. However, the reality is the river is a bit more like Apocalypse Now, without the war, psychological breakdown and death. It is a lush waterway thriving with both native and exotic plants, beautiful birdlife, jumping fish and colorful blue dragonflies.
The Los Angeles River and its Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve can only be explored on weekends during the dry season, the end of May through early September. Access may be closed during these months if thunderstorms are in the weather forecast as the river is at risk for dangerous flash floods.
The only way to see the river up close is via kayak with LA River Expeditions. They provide the kayaks, life jackets, helmets and very experienced and entertaining guides. The easy 2.5-mile flat water paddle takes about 2 hours and is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. It is an up and back paddle, with a stop along the rocky shoreline halfway through for an education on the flora and fauna as well as the history of this lovely river.
During the paddle up river, the guide will grab leaves, flowers and stems from the willow tree-lined shore and will point out the diverse birdlife that seems so foreign to the city dwellers. It is very common to see giant blue herons and their smaller cousins the green heron, black-footed cormorants and striking white egrets. All of these gorgeous birds have come to the river for its abundance of fish including carp, catfish, and tilapia.
Our guide, Gary Golding, was a bonafide celebrity having recently competed on several episodes of a Discovery Channel survivalist reality show, Naked And Afraid. He exuded an infectious passion for nature and sustainability. During the mid-paddle stop, he shared a myriad of plant samples he collected from the shoreline along the way. This included oleander, nightshade, castor bean, cattails, and wild mustard. We learned about the medicinal and nutritional uses for each plant and learned to appreciate the ingenuity of the native people who recognized and used these plants years ago.
Later, to control flooding, the course of the river was changed and the familiar concrete structures were put in place on parts of the river. Today it is fed by rain, snowmelt, and water from the nearby reclamation plant. The area around the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve has been the focus of conservation efforts returning the river to its soil bottom and rocky shoreline. And with the help of LA River Expeditions, returning this unique and magical oasis back to the people of Los Angeles.
WHAT TO BRING
During the summer it can very warm and it is not unusual to have high temperatures in the 90’s. With that in mind, it is important to remain hydrated and protected from the intense Southern California sunshine. Don’t forget to prepare yourself with the following items:
Refillable Water Bottle
An emphasis is on refillable. The Los Angeles River has a history of battling litter so don’t risk adding another plastic bottle to the mix. So bring your own water bottle.
Sunscreen
The intense mid-day sunshine and reflections off the water may provide you with an unintended souvenir of your adventure; a nasty sunburn. Be sure to bring along sunscreen and apply it liberally to avoid looking like a lobster.
Hat
Nothing works better to protect your face from the sun than a hat with a nice brim. You will need to wear a helmet while in the kayak, so be sure your hat is soft and flexible enough to be worn underneath. A baseball cap works great.
Old Closed-Toed Shoes and Quick-dry Clothing
You will need to walk through part of the river to grab your kayak and when you pull ashore mid-tour. There are many rocks along the riverbed, so close-toed shoes are a must. An old pair of sneakers is a perfect choice. Also sitting in the open bow kayak means that your bottom may get a bit wet. A pair of shorts that are quick drying will make you more comfortable on your drive home.
Now that you have been let in on this summertime secret, pick a weekend in June, July or August and head out on your own exploration of the lush Los Angeles River Basin.
Check out the short video below!
REFERENCES:
Gary Golding (our guide):
http://tarzanoflosangeles.com/
LA River Expeditions:
lariverexpeditions.org
Launch Location:
(Open Google maps)
SHORT VIDEO:
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For Pinners:
