Saturday, April 8th , 2023 – Vasquez Rocks to Indian Cyn on Pacific Crest Trail, 1 way w/ shuttle
Meet at: Indian Canyon trailhead, details below.
Start Hike: We will consolidate at Indian Canyon and shuttle to Vasquez Rocks where we will start the hike, details below.
Length: 9.5 miles
Gain/ Loss: ~ 1273′ / 1519’
Rating: Moderate + (for distance)
Description: This is the last hike that Steve had planed and did not have a chance to implement before he moved North. So It has been sitting in the drafts folder for a year, wild flowers are calling, no better time that the present to implement this! Especially considering most of this trail out in the open and there is little shade.
NOTE !!!!! : We will meet at the Indian Canyon parking lot to consolidate into as few cars as possible and shuttle back to the impressive Vasquez Rocks Park to start our hike. The 9.2 mile drive should take us 17 mins (on Soledad West and then North on Aqua Dulce Cyn Rd.).
Gary S will lead us for a hike on the PCT, starting at Vasquez Rocks and heading South and back to Indian Canyon. Along the trail, we will pass many impressive stone escarpments in the Vasquez park area, an interesting cave/ shelter near the stream area, before finally heading through an animal corridor/ drainage tunnel under Hwy 14. When we emerge from the tunnel, we continue South along the PCT, passing through chaparral and open terrain, encountering no less that 4 fault lines, and Flowers so many Flowers. Finally taking a slight detour crossing the Santa Clara River and back tracking back up Soledad Cyn road to arrive back again at the Indian Canyon parking lot. Paul H will be the sweep.
Hike Meeting Spot:
Indian Canyon Trailhead – 8729 Soledad Canyon Rd, Acton, CA 93510
GPS: 34.43696, -118.27317
Meet your leaders: At the Indian Canyon trail head parking lot, where there is a bathroom – YEA!!. Be at the trailhead at 8:00AM for an 8:15AM SHARP shuttle departure to Vasquez Rocks Park.
Adventure Pass: YES. It is required for parking in the Angeles National Forest where it is an improved trailhead (i.e. has a bathroom).
1/car for those who drive. These can be obtained at any BIG 5 Sporting Goods store; $5 for a day pass, $30 for a year pass.
Bring: 2 – 3 L water, including some electrolytes/ Gatorade. Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, boots with good tread (no tennies / flip-flops). Hiking Poles helpful. Snack / lunch. Dress in layers as hike will start cool/ in shade and warm up later with no shade.
Dogs: OK, if well behaved around other dogs/ people with hiking poles and on a leash. If you bring a dog that sheds, please bring a blanket to wrap him/ her in during your 17 minute shuttle.
Leaders: Gary S , and Paul H
