DESCRIPTION:
This adventurous out-and-back trek whisks you from Placerita Canyon’s peaceful oak groves into the wild heart of the Angeles National Forest, with Camp Nine—a remote wildland firefighting station perched on Bear Divide—as your prize. Or stop at May Peak for a shorter intermediate hike if you like (see details below).
You’ll ease into things with a friendly stroll along the Canyon Trail before Los Pinetos Trail decides to get serious. Mile three is where this hike flexes its muscles with a heart pumping 700-foot climb that’ll have you questioning your life choices—at least until the trail mercifully ducks under a canopy of shady oaks as you approach Wilson Saddle.
From the saddle, fire road 3N17 leads you onward to Camp Nine, where you’ve earned every bite of that summit sandwich before turning around and heading home. This roughly 12-mile round-tripper delivers big rewards: sweeping mountain panoramas, dramatic landscape shifts from sunbaked chaparral to cool forest corridors, and a peek at the backcountry infrastructure that keeps these mountains from going up in smoke. Just know what you’re signing up for—over 1,100 feet of elevation gain in four miles, rocky and occasionally cranky trail conditions, and exposed stretches that laugh at your sunscreen.
DETAILS:
Hike leader volunteer(s): Tim R.
- Meet: 19798 Placerita Canyon Rd, at 6:45 am, departure at 7:00 am sharp (Mar 14).
- Distance: Approximately 9.6/11.7 miles.
- Elevation gain: Approximately 2,333/2,470 feet.
- Time: Approximately 6.0 hours hiking including a snack break.
- Conditioning: You need to be in generally good physical condition.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed.
- Restrooms: There are bathrooms at the trailhead.
- Adventure Pass: Required.
IMPORTANT NOTES: We’ll hike at a brisk pace and ask everyone to stay with the group for a friendly and safe outing. There may be stream crossings, exposures, bugs or other warnings. As always, people may slip and fall, encounter poison oak, snakes, etc. on this hike. This event may be cancelled due to inclement weather before or at the start of the hike. Check the weather report and plan accordingly.
ESSENTIAL GEAR: Hiking boots and poles. Clothing layers are recommended. Snacks and 2+ liters of water and electrolytes or salt tablets. Hat and sunscreen.
The Ten Essentials of Hiking (link)
THIS HIKE RANKING: Level 4, Intermediate (see chart below).
Please only sign up to attend hikes that are consistent with your ability. Based on your hiking during the last 90 days, how would you score on the CHC Hike rating scale of one to five assuming a brisk pace?
CHC HIKE RANKING SCALE:
1. Beginner: 1-3 miles, less than 500 feet elevation gain.
2. Beginner/Intermediate: 1-7 miles, less than 700 feet elevation gain.
3. Intermediate: 5-10 miles, 1000-2000 feet elevation gain.
4. Intermediate/Advanced: 7-12 miles, up to 3000 feet elevation gain.
5. Advanced: 10-17 miles, 3000 feet or more elevation gain.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: 19798 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA 91321
NAVIGATION: We highly recommend the AllTrails app be installed on your cell phones and/or you print a copy of the trail map so you can personally navigate the trail if you need to.
The Community Hiking Club is a Non-Profit 501C3 organization. We rely on donations to continue sponsoring hikes like this. Please contribute by donating via: Cash contribution (at each hike), or via Zelle at 6617135610; or via Venmo at: @Heidi-Webber-5
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY – IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
When you sign up for this event, you are releasing Community Hiking Club from any liability or responsibility with your participation in this group activity. While safety is a priority for everyone in the group, hiking can be inherently risky. By participating in any posted event, you are assuming responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Community Hiking Club (CHC) Meetup Group and its organizers and hike leaders are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in our events. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any Community Hiking Club Meetup events, you are releasing the Community Hiking Club Meetup Group and Hike Leaders from all liability in case of possible injuries or death as stated in paragraph 6.2 of the Meetup “Terms of Service” located on the bottom of the Meetup website. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience. If you sign up for this hike, you are verifying that this hike is within your abilities.
