While Los Angeles is a huge metropolitan city home to nearly four million people known for its robust entertainment industry and backed up highways, it is also nestled between mountains and beaches that offer an escape from the bustling city center. Better yet, UCLA is just south of many national parks and east of the Santa Monica beaches where students are able to unplug from their phones, tablets, and laptops for a few hours and enjoy the beautiful nature that Southern California has available.

​

One of the closest public parks to the main UCLA campus is the 605 acre Franklin Canyon Park with six easy to moderate hiking trails just between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley: the Franklin Canyon Trail Site, Hastain Trail, Ranch Trail, Blinderman Trail and Ranch Trail, Franklin Canyon Discovery Trail, and the Berman Trail.

​

Although Franklin Canyon Park is now managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, it was originally intended to be a local natural resource for water with plans to build a reservoir for Los Angeles beginning in 1914 before coming into ownership of the Doheny family in 1935 who utilized the park for recreation and vacation purposes. However, in 1981, the park was officially bought by the National Park Service where it now provides hiking trails along with the Sooky Goldman Nature Center, a duck pond, a three-acre lake, and picnic lands.

​

Nevertheless, while Franklin Canyon Park may provide a breath of fresh air and retreat from metropolitan city life, it is also incredibly important to be mindful of the wildlife that live and depend on the natural resources and habitats of the park and to leave the natural space as close as it was before exploring the area. Here are some hiking etiquette to be mindful of when hiking these trails, but can be applicable when going on any hikes in nature:

​

1. Do not disturb wildlife. Respect the wildlife existing in these natural spaces and be mindful of disturbing them in their natural habitat.

2. Do not leave trash and dispose of waste properly. Minimize the amount of trash and waste you leave while on the trail and clean up after yourself.

3. Stay on the trail. Stay on the designated path for humans to walk on to avoid disrupting and disturbing the natural habitat surrounding it. 

4. Avoid bringing nonnative species into the area. Make sure you are not bringing nonnative species that do not belong to the environment that you are visiting by checking your clothes, belongings, and even the bottoms of your shoes.

5. Keep dogs on a leash. Be aware of your pet’s behavior while hiking and clean up after them as you would yourself.

6. Be aware of your own noise level. Remember that you are inserting yourself into a natural habitat where animals may communicate through sound–be mindful of how loud you are and the technology you bring while hiking.

7. Be cautious with fires, using water sources, and taking things from the trail. Leave the trail in the state it was before including the natural resources available. Fires should be put out, water should not be used to wash dishes or clothes, and leave even the smallest of things behind like a rock, stick, or leaf to preserve the existing habitat.