Local Beginner’s / Easy Hike!! Whitney Canyon to the cascades
Distance: ~ 4.5 miles total, out and back.
Gain: Almost none
Rated: Easy, suitable for beginners and families.
Time: About 2.5 hours
Description: (GPS Co-ords: 34.364404, -118.500829 )
A beautiful mostly flat 4.5 mile hike, along a river bed with shady oak trees along most of the route. This is such a pleasant and easy “out and back” hike that you do not have to leave the kids or dog at home either.
Your hike starts along a dirt road, but after about a half mile, becomes a single track – all the way to the “Cascades” – the site of a nice little waterfall (not flowing at this time of year). Expect to see squirrels, deer, woodpeckers and other birds that like this riparian habitat. We’ve also once seen a black bear!
Bring: This hike is short but you might like to bring a small snack to eat at the waterfall or along the way, water (~1 liter), sun protection/hat.
Dogs: Allowed, if on a leash and well-behaved around other dogs and people. (The MRCA fine, if your dog is caught off-leash is $265.)
Meeting place:
Meet at the Whitney Canyon trailhead (by the gate, GPS Co-ords: 34.364404, -118.500829 ) at 7:15 AM for an 7:30AM SHARP departure down the trail. We should be back by about 9:30AM before the day heats up.
Directions: From Valencia, take the I-5 Freeway south ; from San Fernando Valley, take 1-5 freeway North. Get on the SR-14 North and be ready to take the first Exit – Newhall Avenue. Take a right at the fork on the off-ramp. and when you reach the stop sign, turn right. This will lead you quickly into the Park and Ride that is adjacent to SR-14. Parking is FREE. Park in the dirt lot to the left of the asphalt Park and Ride.
NOTE: Park in the dirt/gravel overflow lot below to the left of the park and ride. Look for your leader by the gate in the gravel/dirt lot, bottom right side. This is the trail head for Whitney Canyon.
Leader: Dianne