Community Hiking Club Home Page

Saturday, June 22- Pico Canyon

This is a great 8 mile round trip hike with about 800 ft of gain. The first 2 miles of the hike is on a paved road to California Star Oil #4 Oil well (later to become Standard Oil of California. This part of the route is a gentle, flat 2 miles. Once we see the ruins of California Star Oil #4, we will begin to climb the next 2 miles to the top. At the top will be a table where you can have lunch, snacks, and relax. The views are amazing at this point! On our return, we will take a different, more challenging but shorter trail back to see a mock- up of an oil well, an old bar and a dance and recreation area. From there, we will return to our vehicles.

Meet at the parking area in Mentryville at 8:00 AM, for a 8:15 departure.

Bring lots of water, snacks, camera and wear boots with lots of tread for the return hike where you will be making your way down a small waterfall. Wear a hat, sunscreen and definitely bring poles if you have them.

Directions: Take Lyons Avenue WEST. It will become Pico Canyon. Continue on Pico until it ends. It will end in the town of Mentryville. Go over the bridge and park close to the big pepper tree by the rest room, where Dianne will meet you. You must pay MRCA parking to park here of $7.00. If you wish to avoid this parking fee, you can park outside the green entry gate for free, and walk in, but allow an additional 40 minutes to walk in.

Leader: Dianne

Rated: Easy++

Saturday, June 29- Haskell Canyon

-There are 526 acres of new open space in Haskell Canyon to explore. This property contains an abundance of coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands and many threatened and endangered habitat and species. The land has steep hillsides and low valleys and contains a natural intermittent (mostly dry) stream that runs through it. It borders the Angeles National Forest to the north. The city trail is approximately 3 miles long, but we will enter the forest and continue the hike on a fire road. The hike begins down cement steps with a handrail. We then enter a trail that will take us to the forest road. We head up the canyon winding along a narrow trail on a slight incline. Around the 1 mile marker we climb up out of the canyon, up a steep but short climb. From there we wind around the ridge of the hills on the forest road. There are great views of Saugus and Bouquet Canyon. We end the loop by heading back down the hill to our cars. This is an easy hike and suitable for beginners There is no shade.

Wear protection from the sun and bring lots of water and snacks. You may see rattlesnakes along the way. Be aware that they are there, and stay away from them. They will usually see you and head off into the grass. Please stay ON the trail.

Meet at the trailhead at 7:00 to sign in. Hike will depart at 7:15.

Directions: From 5 Freeway. Exit 126/Newhall Ranch Road. Head east 1 mile on Newhall Ranch Road (Right off the off ramp if coming from Los Angeles, Left off the off ramp if coming from Castaic.). Left on Copperhill Drive/Rye Canyon Road. Go 5 miles. You will see a Walgreens at the corner of Copperhill and Haskell Canyon. Keep going on Copperhill Drive. As you head up the next hill, make a left on High Ridge Drive into the suburban neighborhood. Go 600 feet. Right on Ranchview Terrace. Park in the cul-de-sac. Trailhead is at the end of road.

From 14 Freeway. Exit Golden Valley Road. Head West on Golden Valley Road (Left off the off ramp if coming from Los Angeles. Right if coming from Palmdale.). Take Golden Valley Road 5 miles. Right on Bouquet Canyon Road. Go 2 miles on Bouquet Canyon Road. Left on Haskell Canyon Road. Go 1 mile up Haskell Canyon Road. Right on Copper Hill Drive. As you head up the hill, make a left on High Ridge Drive into the suburban neighborhood. Go 600 feet. Right on Ranchview Terrace. Park in the cul-de-sac. Trailhead is at the end of road. Signs are posted at the trailhead.

Leader: Lise

Rated: Easy

Saturday, July 6-Whitney Cyn

This is a beautiful 5 mile hike. It is in a riparian area with shade along most of the route. Your hike will start off on a dirt road, but after about a half mile, it becomes a single track all the way to a little waterfall. The waterfall is dry this time of year, but there will be wildflowers all along the riparian corridor. This is an easy hike, suitable for newcomers. Bring a snack , lots of water, sun protection.

Meet at the Whitney Canyon trailhead (by the gate) at 7:00 for a 7:15 departure down the trail.

Directions: From Valencia, take the I-5 freeway south to the SR-14 North. Exit at Newhall Avenue. Take the right at the fork on the off-ramp. When you reach the stop sign, turn right. This will lead you quickly to the Park and Ride. Park. Parking here is free. If the Park and Ride is full, you may park in the MRCA lot ($7.00). It is wise to come a little early to secure a parking spot in the Park and Ride. Look for your leader at the green MRCA gate by the green sign at the top/left of the Park and Ride.

Leader: Steve Iland

Rated: Easy

Saturday, July 13- Vincent Gap to Mine Gulch

This is a beautiful hike and a great workout! This hike is 9 miles RT with an elevation gain of 2100’. The Mine Gulch Trail is located southwest of the town of Wrightwood, near Mt. Baden Powell. With the trail head starting at Vincent Gap in a pine forest, the Mine Gulch trail accompanies the Bighorn Mine Trail for a little way before cutting down into Vincent Gulch. There are several switchbacks on the trail as you drop down into the gulch. This trail isn't as well maintained as some of the other trails in the area, but it's not the worst either. The Mine Gulch Trail continues down Vincent Gulch until it intersects with the main San Gabriel River basin. As you continue down this canyon the trail intersects with the Prairie Fork Trail. Continue for a little way as the Mine Gulch trail ends near the bottom of ...you guessed it ... Mine Gulch. While the hike is pleasant the climb back up can be arduous.

Note: There is a restroom at the trailhead for your convenience.

Bring: Water-lots of it, sunscreen, hat, poles if you have them, and an Adventure pass if you are driving. The rangers will ticket cars ($5.) that do not display an Adventure pass.

For this hike, we will meet at Towsley at 6:45, leave Towsley at 7:00 for the trailhead.

Directions to Towsley: Take the I-5 south from Valencia to Calgrove Blvd. Exit. Turn right. Go through the signal. Immediately on the right side you will see the entrance to Towsley/Ed Davis Park. Do not enter the gate. Park in the parking lot outside the green gate and look for the hike leader. We will carpool from this point, so please help your driver with gas.

Leader: Dave

Rated: Difficult (due to 2100' elevation gain on the way back to our cars.)

Sunday, July 14-Native American Slide Show and Presentation

Today’s Nature Series with Susan Suntree is not to be missed. Susan is the author of “Sacred Sites: The Secret History of Southern California”. She will tell the story of the prehistory of our region, including Placerita Canyon, from the Big Bang/Great Silence to the present from the points of view of Western science and the Indigenous myths and songs that account for the landscape. Her presentation will include a brief reading from her book, a talk that will include descriptions of the origins of the universe, the shifting of tectonic plates, and an evolving array of plants and animals that give Southern California its unique features today. She will tell of the migration of humans into the region, where they settled, and how they lived. Complementing this narrative and reflecting the Native people’s view of their own history and way of life, Suntree will recount the creation myths and songs that tell the story of the First People, of unforgettable shamans and heroes, and of the origins and migrations of the human beings.

She will show us a slide show with spectacular photos of rarely seen landmarks by Juergen Nogai.

We will be at Placerita Nature Center in the new LEED building classroom. Please be early as the room will only hold 45 people. This opportunity is suitable for families with older children. (Please, no babies or very young children).

Time: 2:00-3:30

Directions: From the I-5 freeway, take the SR-14 freeway to the Placerita Canyon Exit. Exit. Turn right. Go approximately 2 miles until you see a sign that says, “Placerita Natural Area”. Turn into this driveway. Park as close to the building as you can. Go up the steps, and enter the door to the left as you enter the atrium area. There is a ramp for disabled access.

Saturday, July 20-Quigley Cyn

HIKE THE NEW OPEN SPACE in Quigley Canyon.

The area has 4 loops/trails. Total distance is about 4.0 miles, with a gain of about 400 feet on the one hill. There are easy, moderate and steep areas on these trails, so there is something for everyone. We will be doing all 4 loops. Due to the steep uphill and downhill on one loop, poles are HIGHLY recommended. This will be the last loop that we do, so if you would like to avoid this hill, you can sign out just before we start this last portion. The scenery is lovely, and there is abundant wildlife. We will see the remnants of an old ranch, a working oil company, an intermittent stream, and some very pretty views. This set of trails is very private and quiet. It is bordered by a quiet equestrian neighborhood.

Meet at the trail head at 8:00 for an 8:15 departure.

Directions to trail head: Quigley Canyon is located at the end of Cleardale Avenue, in Placerita Canyon, in the Newhall area. From 13th Street and Railroad, cross the railroad tracks, and stay to the right to proceed onto Placerita Canyon Road. Turn left onto Quigley Canyon Road, and right on Cleardale Avenue. Park at the end of Cleardale Avenue.

Bring lots of water, snacks, and poles. Wear sunscreen, a hat, long pants as some of the trails are a little overgrown, and good boots. You might want to bring your camera to capture some of the interesting sights along the way.

See the website below for a trail map: http://santaclaritaopenspace.com/images/gallery/open_spaces/quigley/quigley_trail.pdf

Leader: Max Morgan

Rated: Easy (Moderate ++due to the big hill on the last trail, which you can avoid if you only want to do the easy portion)

Saturday, July 27-Temescal Canyon to Will Rodgers

This hike can be done in two ways. We will do Temescal Canyon first. This hike begins with a moderate hill up to a small waterfall, then, it continues up to the ridge. From there, you can see gorgeous views of the ocean, and feel the ocean breezes. This is a cool hike for summer, and from the ridge, it is all flat or all downhill. This portion of the hike is about 3.5 miles. So, people looking for an easy hike, with a little challenge going up the first hill will be thrilled with this portion. Easy hikers may wish to leave at this point, and can return to the parking lot. From this point, the hike will continue to Will Rodgers Park, adding about 5 miles to the first 3.5 miles in Temescal Canyon. There is some beautiful scenery along the way, and we usually see deer, so bring your camera. There are no major hills to climb, so this portion is also fairly easy, and cool with lots of shady areas and ocean views.

Parking is $7.00 at Temescal

For this hike, we will meet at Towsley at 6:45, leave Towsley at 7:00, and arrive at Temescal Park at 8:00 to begin the hike. Directions to Towsley: Take the I-5 south from Valencia to Calgrove Blvd. Exit. Turn right. Go through the signal. Immediately on the right side you will see the entrance to Towsley/Ed Davis Park. Do not enter the gate. Park in the parking lot outside the gate and look for the hike leader. We will carpool from this point, so please help your driver with gas and parking fees.

Directions to Temescal Park: Take the I-5 South to the 405 South. Exit at Sunset Blvd. Turn left at the base of the offramp, and make a quick right onto Sunset Blvd. Stay on Sunset until you hit Temescal Cyn Road. Turn right. Take care to observe the stop sign and speed limit as they give out hundreds of tickets here. Pay the iron ranger $7.00 to park. Meet your group by the bathroom at the top of the parking lot at 8:00 sharp.

Leader: Dianne

Rated Easy to almost Moderate