******* RAIN FALLING AT TRAILHEAD CANCELS ALL HIKES *******
Rain has been predicted for the week prior to this hike. If it is raining just prior to, or the day of the hike, we will have to cancel due to safety issues in the canyon. Please check back before the hike!
Sunday, December 4, 2022 – Fall Colors Photo Hike – Fish Canyon
The fall colors are gorgeous right now in Fish Canyon and they won’t last too long. You will see green, yellow, orange and red.
The recent rains caused massive floods in the canyon, and you will see the damage to the road, to the lower gate that was moved into the road, and lots of debris. Water was about 8′ high in some spots. As an example of how ferocious the water was, one of the bathrooms was undermined and traveled down the river about 50 feet, until it fell into a hole, and remained there. Amazingly enough, the water crossings are dry now, so no worries about getting wet.
Hiking poles are recommended due to the fact that there is more debris in and around the trail.
We will NOT be going to Piano Box on this trip. Instead, we will continue past Cienega Campground UP towards Warm Springs, about a mile or so past Cienega.
Bring: Poles, Camera, snack and anything else you might need along the trail.
Thank You
Distance: ~ 8-10 Miles total (out and back style)
Gain: ~ 800′
Hiking Time: ~ 5 hours
Rating: Moderate (mainly for an uphill at the end along the road, returning to trailhead).
Note – You need to be in good general condition to enjoy this hike.
Description:
This is a beautiful area containing 37 types of endangered species. It is prime yellow-legged frog and Arroyo Toad Habitat. Bring your camera. Not only is the area beautiful, but you might see some of the endangered species along the way. Please stay on the trails here, and watch where you step during the stream crossings.
The hike starts on an abandoned asphalt road, moves onto a dirt road at the north end of Castaic Lake and follows Fish Canyon. The only major hill is the asphalt road coming back up to the cars, the trail is fairly level the rest of the way. The trail through Fish Canyon is interspersed with portions of the old cement road from the 1930s.
Then we split off the main trail for the trail to Piano Box Canyon, a beautiful single track wooded trail. We will snack and rest in Piano box and have ample time to enjoy the canyon walls of reddish/orange rock before returning.
Meet your leader at the Trail Head (Trailhead address below) or put this # into Google Maps (34.6022, -118.6707):
37773 Templin Highway, Angeles National Forest, Castaic, CA 91384
Directions to Trail head (about 30 mins) from SCV / SFV areas:
Take the I-5 Freeway North from Santa Clarita. About 6 miles north of Lake Hughes/Castaic, exit at Templin Highway EAST. Turn right at bottom of FWY off ramp.
Follow Templin Hwy East (a curvy road) straight (i.e. do not turn off it). Drive about 10 mins max, all the way until it ends at a closed white gate/ concrete barrier. You can park along the road beside it, leave nothing showing in your vehicle.
Meeting Time:
Meet at the white gate at the trail head at 8:00AM for an 8:15AM SHARP departure down the trail.
Note: No Adventure Pass needed and No bathrooms at trailhead.
Bring:
Lunch/ snack, lots of water (2 – 3 liters), and your camera.
Wear:
Layered clothing, hat, sunscreen, shoes with good tread, long pants in case there is poison oak or ticks about.
There are 24 water crossings, however, unless there has been recent heavy rain, we would not expect much water flowing in the creek.
Dogs: Ok, but must be kept on a leash and well behaved around other dogs/ people with poles.
Note: This is a SLOWER moving hike since we will all take the time to photograph the trees and flood damage.
Leader: Dianne
