Austin and Rachel invited me to a hike at Topanga State Park.
We started at the top of the Park, and hiked down the Santa Ynez trail into a canyon.
Then, off the "maintained" trail, to the follow the creek bed up to the waterfall.
At the waterfall.

My payoff: wading into the pool and standing at the bottom of the waterfall.
Time to hike back up to the top!
It was a good day for reptiles and amphibians: we saw big lizards, salamanders swimming in the creek, and a hippity-hoppity frog at the waterfall.

Just about 5 miles round-trip.
Great hiking buddies!