Our first hot August weekend called for a hike at the beach, and Barbara and I used the opportunity to drive back down to Rancho Palos Verdes to try the Forrestal Reserve trails recommended to us by  the ranger we met on our failed "pipe" hike at Abalone Cove on June 22. One of the fun parts of this hike was looking down at Portuguese Bend, (the 'nose' jut top left) the hike we never made it to in June. We can certainly attest that beach and shoreline hikes are really cool, but there's something so geologically majestic about hiking above it all and seeing how centuries of ocean erosion ate away at what once was. This particular hike took us around the top of Klondike Canyon with steep cliff drops, stellar views, tunneled patches of green, and a really cool forest-style bridge leading to a short spurt of shade. The Forrestal Nature Reserve, a 155-acre preserve that shows off the Peninsula's natural environment, has miles of trails suitable for adults, children, and smiling, intrepid dogs who can't get enough of trail smells. The trailhead starts at Forrestal Drive and heads up Pirate Trail in a steep ascent to Flying Mane. Flying Mane crosses the top, parallel with the ocean, to deliver a beautiful view from Portuguese Bend to the North down to the famous presidential golf course to the South. Flying Mane swings around to Canyon View Trail and loops back down to Canyon View Trail and Forrestal Drive Another short hike, but the kind with enough highs and lows, flora and fauna, and views to make it feel longer than it is. We'll be back!