June 20, 2026 | 6:00am hike

This invitation is to all the men of the church. This Saturday I will be hosting a group trail walk/hike. We will meet at 6am at the lower parking lot of what I know as the “JPL trail.” Maps call it the Hahamonga Watershed Park, coordinates are 34.20205° N, 118.16585° W. The other trailheads that are right around there are the El Prieto Trail and the Gabrielino National Recreation Trail. When I visit this trail, I travel from W Woodbury Rd and take Windsor Ave north until I get to Ventura St. Where those roads meet I take the left-most road down into the watershed and towards the JPL complex. There is a large dirt and gravel lot down that road that is easy access to the trail. Park at the end of that road before it turns into the JPL complex gate. A few men  will arrive at 5:30am with some coffee in those cardboard to-go boxes. Nothing fancy like oatmilk and stevia, but quality black coffee for those who want it before heading out.

We will leave for our walk at 6:15am and hike for about 45-60 minutes in before turning around and heading back. We will be back at the vehicles no later than 9am, but likely around 8:30am. The trail has good shade coverage especially that early. There are a few mild creek crossings, so wear suitable footwear, and know that your shoes/socks might get wet. A walking stick is always a nice companion. Bring a water bottle if you need one.

I hope to see as many of you out there as feel led to wake with the sun and begin the morning quietly in nature. I know it will be early for some folks. And the walk itself might test balance and stamina, although we will take an easy pace. This is a gentle invitation to stretch yourself just slightly beyond what may be a normal Saturday morning practice. In this invitation is also a preview of some of the ways I will be gathering the men of our church community throughout the year. We will not always walk in the early dawn, but we will stay light on our feet as we explore ways to deepen our connection to one another, to creation, to ourselves, in ways that ultimately lead us into communion with God. Sometimes we will loudly feast together, others we might sit in silence and listen for the Spirit to speak. I will invite you to lean toward one another in ways that support and challenge each other as brothers.

See you out there.

-Pastor John Jay