What a treat! Today Barbara and I took our first hike to the amazing Escondido Waterfall deep in Escondido Canyon. Our only excuse for taking so long to do this must-do Malibu waterfall hike is drought, dryness, or fire drying up the flow of water from the top of the multi-tiered, 150 foot falls, the tallest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains. And to add to the fun of it, we were joined by former KIIS-FM radio newswoman and "Radio Links" host Lori Lerner. A canyon resident, Lori added the color to the hike only a local with intimate knowledge of the trail can spot, from the colors of the flora and fauna to descriptions of the trail at dawn, after the rain, and after the fires. We explored, we rock-hopped across Escondido Canyon Creek five times each way (and kept our socks & shoes dry thanks to our hiking poles!), and for the first time ever got photos with both me and Barbara in them. The valley and waterfall are named Escondido, Spanish for "hidden" as in Hidden Valley, but in early 2006 the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy renamed the trail the Edward Albert Escondido Canyon Trailhead to honor actor and environmental activist Eddie Albert, Jr. (1951–2006). The son of actor Eddie Albert of, ironically, "Green Acres" fame, and Mexican actress Margo, Eddie Albert, Jr. had a decent acting career, but was more politically recognized as a Native American Rights advocate, especially for the Chumash who populated the SoCal coastal areas for thousands of years prior to to the arrival of the Spanish. Albert Jr. also served on the powerful California Coastal Commission a the California Native Heritage Commission. This gorgeous canyon, green and lush today thanks to the January rains, hosts oak groves, sycamore trees, sage, and poison oak. Lori once actually saw a lion up in a tree on a hike! A sighting to brag about but not hope for. Thanks to Lori, her husband, and others who care for the trails along with the MRCA, except for a few slippery muddy spots, the trail was clear and well maintained, the hike simple to navigate, and the waterfall payoff at the turnaround impressive and beautiful in its grandeur. Parking off PCH at Winding Way is $12. Because Escondido Falls are at the top of the Malibu waterfall hikes after a rain, this one is a must go—but go early to avoid crowds.  We loved every step!