Hiking Schedule
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Saturday, January 7-Today’s hike will be in the historic Vasquez Rocks Park. You will be joining Angela on the PCT Trail, and will go to view the wildlife corridor undercrossing that goes under the SR-14. Look for wildlife tracks and scat on both sides of the tunnel. It is common to see mountain lion, raccoon, deer and bobcat tracks. You may continue along the PCT after you cross through the corridor if you’d like. RT to the Corridor and back is just under 6 miles on easy terrain (one hill). Once you pass through the tunnel, it begins to get steeper. So, if you’d like, you can extend the mileage on your own. (Food for thought: It is 22 miles RT to Indian Canyon and back.) Meet at the Trail Head at 8:30 AM.
Bring your camera to take photos of the fabulous rock formations at Vasquez Rocks, lots of water, and lunch or snacks. Wear shoes with good tread.
Directions to Trail Head: From Valencia, go south on I-5, then north on SR-14. Exit at Agua Dulce Canyon Road. Turn left. Follow this road. It will take a turn to the right to a stop sign. Go STRAIGHT through the stop sign, and you will find the entrance to Vasquez Rocks County park on your right side, a short distance from the stop sign. Turn right, then turn left on the dirt road that will take you all the way back to the parking area where you will find us…..keep going until you can’t go any more. We’ll be parked up against the fence/railing. There is an “Andy Gump” that you can use here before we leave. Allow extra
Leader: Angela Rated: Easy-Moderate
Saturday, January 14 – Hike Mishe Mokwa and Backbone trails to Sandstone Peak
This hike will be a fast-paced, 9.5 mile loop with apx 1,400 ft gain in the Santa Monica Mountains from Circle X Ranch along the Canyon View trail to the Backbone Trail and Mishe Mokwa trails, including Sandstone Peak (3,111 ft). Bring water, lunch, snacks, and shoes with good tread. Meet at Towsley Canyon OUTSIDE the gate at 6:20 AM for a 6:30 AM departure to the trail head. You may also meet the group at the trail head at 8:00 AM. To meet at the trailhead:
To get to the trailhead, from Santa Clarita, take the 101 Fwy North to Camarillo. Exit S. Las Posas Rd (near the outlet stores). Follow Las Posas Rd to PCH. Go South on PCH for 9.1 miles, and turn left on Yerba Buena Rd. If you get to Mulholland Hwy, you have gone too far. Continue on Yerba Buena Rd for 5.4 miles until you see the Circle X Ranch on the right (12896 Yerba Buena Rd, Malibu). Park by the Ranger Station.
(Leader: Nikki)-Fast Paced
Rated: Moderate ++
Saturday January 21-Gold Creek to Oak Spring to Yerba Buena Ridge. This is a 5 mile hike with 1100' elevation gain in Little Tujunga Canyon. The trail starts in a oak sheltered trail head. The first 1.5 miles are up hill with the same views you would get from Bear Divide. Oak Spring, a oak shelter flat area nestled in hills covered with chaparral is a nice spot. The last 1/2 mile before Yerba Buena Ridge was burned during the Station Fire. The views of the San Fernando Valley and Sunland/Tujunga from the ridge are worth hiking through this area and you get a chance to see how fast the chaparral comes back. Meet at Towsley at 8:00 to carpool, or meet at the trail head at 8:30.
Directions to the trail head: Exit the 210 freeway at Osborne Street. The off ramp will put you on Foothill Blvd. Turn left. The first traffic light is Osborne Street turn left. Drive 3.9 miles. Turn right on Gold Creek Road. Drive 1/2 mile to Oak Spring picnic area. There is a restroom and ample parking. The trail head is 20 minutes from Towsley.
Because of the spring and creek it would be best to do this hike in Jan./Feb. If you would like I could lead this hike.
Leader: Dave
Rated: Easy++
Saturday, January 28-Hike Towsley Canyon Ridge.
This canyon has an amazing variety of strange geologic
formations and many different plant communities.
We will explore the ridge high above the canyon floor.
The trail begins with a steep winding ascent and includes breathtaking views of lush hillsides and canyons as it heads over multiple steep high points along the ridges and descends into Wiley Canyon. The terrain will be steep and the pace will be moderate, NOT recommended for beginners.
Bring hiking poles, plenty of water, sunscreen, bug repellent,Waterproof boots with tread, lunch, hat.
Meet at Ed Davis Towsley park OUTSIDE the front gate for a 9:00 AM departure.
Leader: Dave
Rated: Moderate ++
Sunday, January 29-Corriganville Wildlife Corridor Trail: 9 miles with 900 ft gain. - Do you like hiking in loops? How about climbing over 900 feet! (wow!!). This trail goes into a secret wildlife tunnel that goes under a FREEWAY. The 118 freeway to be exact- there's no better way than the freeway! You might be asking yourself questions like... "what will I see on this hike?" "why should I go on this hike?", and "what is the meaning of life?". I have all your answers here in no particular order; gain a historical and natural interest for local trails, hug a dinosaur, and incredibly AWESOME rock formations AND caves. Oh man. By now you're asking yourself, "How do I get to this place and witness all of these AMAZING things?" Meet us at the trailhead at 8:30 AM. See Directions to trailhead below.
Bring: Lots of water, snacks, lunch, camera, and poles if you have them.
Directions to trailhead: Take the 118 fwy west toward Simi Valley. Exit Kuehner and turn left (south), about 1.5 miles to Smith Road. Turn left (east) to Corriganville Park on left. Restrooms at this park- no bushes this time around you lucky ducks!
Leader: Helen
Rated: Moderate to Strenuous
Community Hiking Club Schedule, February
February 4-This is a two for one hike. Angela will first lead you to the waterfall in Whitney Canyon. Along the way you are apt to see deer grazing near the beautiful stream. This first portion of the hike is 5 miles RT. It is an easy and delightful trail. This hike is great for the whole family. You can finish up the hike when you return to the parking area from this hike, or you can continue on to historic Elsmere Canyon where you can view some of the remnants of the late 1800’s oil industry in the SCV. This leg will add another 5 miles to your adventure, giving you a RT of 10 miles. There is virtually no gain on the Whitney hike, and about 500’ of gain on the Elsmere hike, which is all at the beginning. Bring lots of water, snacks if you’re only going on the Whitney Hike, and lunch if you’re going on the Elsmere hike. Wear shoes with good tread, and you will find that poles will be helpful on the steeper areas of Elsmere.
Meet at the trail head at 8:15 for an 8:30 departure down the trail.
Directions to trailhead: From Valencia, go south on I-5, then north on SR-14. Exit at Newhall Avenue, and take the first RIGHT on the offramp. Turn right. Park in the Park and Ride at the End of the street for free or park in the MRCA lot (to the left at the end of the Park and Ride) for $7.00. We will meet at the 2nd MRCA Green Gate at the end and to the far left of the Park and Ride. (This is the same meeting spot for Elsmere Canyon, but we are doing a different trail. Note: We are meeting and the SECOND green gate)
Leader: Angela Myers Rated: Easy (Whitney) Easy to Moderate (Whitney and Elsmere)
February 5-Orienteering in Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks - Exercise in map and compass - Learn Navigation Skills
Orienteering is the sport of navigating a course through the wilderness
using a map and compass. Orienteering is a sport for everyone, regardless
of age or experience. The goal is to find our way to various locations
using a map and compass and land marks. This is not a race. The pace will be slow.
The goal is learn how to find your way to the specified destination using map and compass.
Participation will show you more about Orienteering than any words.
Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug repellent, hiking shoes with tread,
lunch, hat compass. Maps will be provided. If you don't have a compass, ask Santa
or go to Walmart or REI. Get a decent compass, don't skimp.
Meet in the Vasquez Rock parking lot at 9 AM
From Santa Clarita go North on CA-14 toward Palmdale for about 12.5 mi
Take exit 15 for Agua Dulce Canyon Rd
Turn left onto Agua Dulce Canyon Rd, Go 1.9 mi
The road makes a 90 right turn and becomes Escondido Canyon Rd
Continue onto Escondido Canyon Rd for .6 miles
Turn right into the Vasquez Rocks park, turn left on the dirt road and follow this
all the way to the end where you will see a porta-potty and a green metal bar fence.
Leaders: Jerry and Steve
Rated: Easy
Feb 11 – Hike Slide Mountain to the Lookout tower
This hike will be a fast-paced, 11 mile RT with apx 2,000 ft gain. Bring water, lunch, snacks, and shoes with good tread. To carpool, hikers can meet at Towsley Canyon OUTSIDE the gate for a 7:00 AM departure to the trail head. The leader will meet you at the trailhead at 8:00 AM. You will also need a Forrest Adventure Pass to park at the trailhead. To meet at the trailhead:
Take the I-5 Fwy north from Santa Clarita. About 6 miles north of Lake Hughes/Castaic, exit at Templin Hwy. Go left, under the freeway and turn right at the end on what Mapquest calls the Golden State Hwy. Take this to the end, this is Frenchman’s Flat. Park in front of the gate.
Leader: Nikki Rated: Strenuous
February 12-Rice Canyon Loop 6 Miles
This fun-filled little adventure is sure to make for a great time.
Along the way there are half a dozen stream crossings, pastoral grasslands,
a lush variety of plant types including creeping snowberry, scarlet monkey flower, stinging nettle and four varieties of giant oaks with
Sycamore and willow trees. Some of the terrain will be steep,
The pace will be moderate, OK for energetic beginners.
Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, bug repellent,
Waterproof boots with tread, lunch, hat.
Directions to Trailhead: Meet at East/Rice Canyon trailhead sign at 9AM, About 1 mile south of Towsley/Ed Davis park on the Old Road. Park on the street for free (You will see cars parked on the right side)
or in the parking lot and Pay the Iron Ranger $7
Bring hat, sunblock, lunch and snacks and 2 quarts of water,
waterproof boots WITH TREAD.
Leader: Dave, Assistant leader: Steve
Rated: Easy
February 18-Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park - As we all know, dinosaurs are all about power. This exciting adventure starts under the power lines (park by the houses to lead our adversaries off our scent). This is a last chance expedition, as it might be closed to humans this upcoming year. We of course are on a secret mission to gain as much fun and happy memories of this park as we can. These memories include but are not limited to the Tongva, Chumash, and Tataviam people's trading routes and remnants of villages (this means they were Native Americans and lived here longgggg ago. yay!). Aside from the Indians that lived here, people with large wagons rolled over our trail not long ago, and hippie murderers roamed the land! Spahn Ranch is known for more than just a drug crazed Charles Manson, but for many (long ago famous) movies! This soap opera is not an easy one, we'll be going around 6 glorious miles, and most of that will be uphill. Don't forget to bring your best warface!
Bring lots of water, snacks, lunch, your camera, and poles if you have them.
Directions to trail head: Take the 118 West, exit Topanga, go left (south) 1 mile to Devonshire. Turn right on Devonshire (west), turn left on Larwin (right before street ends) We will meet at 10200 Larwin, Chatsworth at 8:30 AM.
Leader: Helen
Rated: Moderate ++
Saturday, February 25- Switzer Picnic Area to Bear Canyon
Leader: Dave Pulsifer
Distance: 5 Miles Roundtrip with 1100' gain.
Switzer's Camp was once one of the most famous resorts in the San Gabriel Range. Perry Switzer along with Bob and Liz Waterman fashioned this wild resort in 1884. There once was a tennis court, croquet court, library, children's playground, and an open air dance floor. A cow horn was left hanging from a Manzanita bush 1/2 mile below the camp with instructions to issue one blast for every hungry guest. When the visitors arrived they were greeted with a hot dinner. Trout was the featured feast, caught in the adjacent stream.
The hike starts at the Switzer Picnic Area parking lot. It is located approx. 1/2 mile passed the Angeles Crest/Angeles Forest Highway Junction. Adventure Pass is required to park your car here. From the parking lot the trail will lead us pass the Switzer trail Camp, dropping in the Arroyo Seco (On the way down there are good views of Switzer Falls). From here we will walk up the creek a short way than backtrack and follow the gorge past numerous pools and mini cascades. At Bear Canyon Junction we will turn around and head back.
There are many stream crossings. Be sure to bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen, snacks, hiking poles, good hiking boots, and a camera.
Meet at Towsley between 7-7:15 to carpool to the trail head. If you’d like to meet at the trail head, we’ll see you there at 8:00.
Directions to trailhead: Take 5 south to the 210 frwy and exit on the Angeles Crest Hwy (2 north). Drive up the Angeles Crest Hwy 10 1/2 miles to the side road down to the Switzer Picnic Area, which is 1/2 mile past the junction of the Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest Hwys. Turn right and descend 1/4 mile to the parking area outside the picnic area.
Restrooms are located at the trail head.
Leader: Dave Pulsifer Rated: Easy
March 3-East Canyon
A Moderate 8 miles, 1400' gain hike.
We will explore a few of the lesser used trails in East canyon, The East Canyon takes you through three species of oak, California bay laurel, California black walnut, and bigleaf maple. As we get up in elevation we will find an unusual forest of bigcone Douglas-fir. This species is more ideally suited to the climate of 18,000 years ago. The dirt fire road travels
on a steady climb to magnificent views of Santa Clarita
Woodlands Park and the Santa Clarita Valley.
Some of the terrain will be steep, the pace will
be moderate, NOT recommended for beginners.
Directions to Trailhead: Meet at East/Rice Canyon trailhead sign at 9AM, About 1 mile south of Towsley/Ed Davis park on the Old Road. Park on the street for free (You will see cars parked on the right side)
or in the parking lot and Pay the Iron Ranger $7
Bring hat, sunblock, lunch and snacks and 2 quarts of water,
waterproof boots WITH TREAD.
Leader: Dave, Assistant Leader: Steve
Rated: Moderate
March 10-Hike to Fish Canyon Falls, one of the top natural attractions of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Hike Length: 9 miles round trip, out-and-back
Hiking Time: 6 hours round trip
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3000'/3000'
Difficulty: STRENUOUS
Trail Use: Dogs allowed
Fish Canyon Falls has moved into my all time 10 best water falls. The falls are a spectacular delight, plunging some eighty feet in stairway fashion. The topmost fall is the longest, shooting out from the narrow gorge above, then swishing down into a sparkling pool 40' below. Then there is a short cascade, followed by a 30' plunge into a lower pool, with one final 8' drop below that. A fine spray dampens the canyon walls causing them to be embossed with lush green mosses and grasses. In the amphitheater below there is a roar of the falls with a small flat area for lunch that is shaded by oaks and overhanging rock.
Although Fish Canyon and the Falls are worth the effort, it is a strenuous hike. The trail is STEEP, needs trimming, sections of the trail are covered with POISON oak and if the water is running high there is one stream crossing where your feet will get wet. This is a trail you will need to man/woman up.
For those in the club who would like to do this hike but think that the 3000' gain/loss is too much, the rock quarry has Saturdays when they open the quarry up for access to the trail head, which would make this a moderate 5 mile hike. You can go to azusarock.com for details. (At the time of the pre-hike the rock quarry had not yet set up a schedule for the hikers)
Directions: Take I-210 pass I-605 and exit at Irwindale Ave. Turn left under the freeway making a right turn onto Huntington Drive. Proceed 0.6 mile to Encanto Parkway. Turn left and follow the parkway northeast for 1.4 miles. Turn left into the dirt parking lot, which is just short of the Vulcan rock quarry entrance. Those who would like to carpool can meet a Towsley Canyon Park at 06:45 for a 07:00 departure. Or meet at the trail head at 08:00.
Leader: Dave Rated: Strenuous
March 17 - Hike Liberty Canyon/Malibu Creek State Park
This hike will be a fast-paced, 9 mile loop with apx 900 ft gain in the Santa Monica Mountains through Liberty Canyon, connecting to the Phantom Trail, then down into Malibu Creek State Park to the south end of Century Lake. We will then take the Forest Trail along the north end of the lake before completing the loop back to the trailhead. Bring water, lunch, snacks, and shoes with good tread. Meet at Towsley Canyon OUTSIDE the gate at 6:50 AM for a 7:00 AM departure to the trail head. You may also meet the group at the trail head at 8:00 AM. To meet at the trailhead:
Take the 405 Fwy South to 101 Fwy North and exit at Las Virgenes. Turn left on Las Virgenes. Turn right at the light for Mulholland Hwy (if you pass the sign for the entrance to the State Park you have gone too far). On Mulholland Hwy, there is parking on the dirt shoulders on both sides of the road. There is an opening in the fence and a sign on the RIGHT (north) side of Mulholland Hwy for the North Grasslands trail, which is where the hike will begin about 0.1 mile from Las Virgenes.
Leader: Nikki Rated: Moderate+++
Saturday, March 24-East Walker Ranch
A moderate 8 mile loop through the rarely visited eastern portion of
Placerita canyon through the recently acquired East Walker Ranch open space. This is a very pretty hike. There are lovely meadows
enroute filled with grasses and wildflowers. We will see the remains of early 1900s Oil industry machinery. Some of the terrain will be steep, the pace will
be moderate, OK for energetic beginners.
Meet at 8:30AM at Placerita Nature Center near the steps to carpool at 8:45 to the trailhead. There is very limited parking at the trailhead.
Bring hiking poles, hat, sunblock, lunch and snacks and 2 quarts of water,
waterproof boots WITH TREAD.
Leader: Helen
Rated: Moderate
Saturday, March 31-Allen will be leading you on a 5 mile RT tour of Whitney Canyon today. There is almost no gain on this trail, but there are many stream crossings. Be sure to wear shoes that can get wet. Bring poles if you have them to stabilize you on the crossings. Allen will take you past the sulphur springs, all the way to the waterfall. You will be done before lunch, but bring lots of water, snacks, and wear good shoes with tread! Bring your camera. We have often seen deer in this canyon! Meet at the trail head at 8:15 for an 8:30 departure.
Directions to Trailhead. Take the SR-14 freeway North from Valencia. Exit at the first offramp, Newhall Avenue, veer to the right. Turn right at the bottom of the offramp. You will enter the park and ride facility. Park. If there are no spaces to park, you can park for $5. In the MRCA parking lot to the left of the park and ride. The trail head is to the left of the park and ride. Look for everyone assembling at the SECOND green gate to the left.
Leader: Allen Rated: Easy
RAIN WILL ALWAYS CANCEL HIKES
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