Barbara and I chose thick fog on a simple in-and-out trail leading to graffiti-covered concrete ruins over the breezy summer-launching hike you'd expect for Memorial Day weekend, but there's something about hiking in fog that brings nature in close and personalizes the surroundings. The wildflowers are prettier, the caterpillars, stone trail, and sandstone canyon walls are more interesting. With an elevation of nearly 3000-feet, Topanga Lookout is one of the highest peaks in the Santa Monica Mountains. We located the trailhead at 2400-ft. on Saddle Peak Road east of the Stunt Road intersection and hiked NE.  Topanga Ridge Motorway is wide and, for the most part, easy to navigate. Thick fog curtained Topanga Lookout, the peak slowly revealing itself as we hiked up toward it. The mountains are covered with wildflowers right now, drawing our eyes to the sticky monkey flowers, Matilija poppies, yucca, cobweb thistle, mustard, and lupin bordering the trail. Once we passed a half mile, the first signs of graffiti appeared on the rocks. To each his own expression. At a mile in, the graffiti-blanketed remaining platform ruins of a former fire department observation tower appeared at the top of the peak. The graffiti-covered concrete, sure to be painted over hundreds more times, definitely makes a contrasting statement against the timelessness of nature. We climbed the final leg of the rocky trail up to the platform with its graffitied stairs and concrete slab jutting out above Red Rock Canyon. I edged to the edge gingerly to look down into the valley then turned for one of the best 360 views of the Santa Monica peaks and canyons. A stunning, signature California experience in local mountain climbing. Barbara and I took a quick break for water then retraced our steps. We lucked out by arriving early on a foggy day—the crowds were coming up as we made our descent. Most reports confirm this hike is very popular, but also can be dangerous because of the steep drops and shadeless summer heat. Hike with a friend.