Changing it up a bit since it’s going to be hot this weekend. Let’s welcome summer with a beginner friendly social event. Come for the 3.5 mile hike and stay for the post hike activities OR just show up for the after hike meet and greet, BYO food and drinks picnic, and review of the 10 Essentials.
The 10 Essentials are the contents of a backpack EVERY HIKER should carry on EVERY HIKE – plus we’ll go over about 15 more items I always have on hand. What item have you found most helpful on your adventures? Anyone who would like to share is more than welcome.
This event is geared towards those who are starting out on the trails. The stories and notifications of lost or unprepared hikers lately seems to be increasing. It’s a good time to go over the basics, whether with a group or on your own. This is as close as we get to a beginner hike and we hope to see some new faces. Read the descriptions below and choose the best option for you.
BRING
Your regular backpack and water for the hike
Food and drinks for after the hike
A chair, blanket or pad to sit on
Note taking supplies
There are a couple of options here (plus an earlier longer hike, posting soon) so read carefully:
Placerita Web Site (http://www.placerita.org/index.html)
Option 1: 7:30 am start – Canyon Trail to Walker Ranch 3.5 miles out and back
Option 2: 9:30 am start – Post hike BYO picnic, meet and greet, 10 essentials review
Directions
Exit the 14 Fwy at Placerita Canyon Rd and go South to the park entrance on the right. Parking is free and the map above is accurate.
7:30 am Option 1:
STATS
Length: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 ft.
Rating: 2/10
Trail: single track, Creek bed.
Duration: 2 hours
Write up is Don’s:
THE PLAN
The hike takes you from the Placerita Nature Center parking lot to Walker Ranch via the Canyon trail with only 250 foot elevation gain
Outside the Nature Center in Placerita Canyon you will spot a large sign labeled “Main Trailhead,” pointing you in the direction of a half dozen park trails. Walk past the sign and across Placerita Creek to the start of Canyon Trail on the south bank. Turn left and begin hiking up this level path alongside the creek.
The trail primarily sticks with the south side of the creek, following the canyon east up a gradual grade to Walker Ranch. If you are in the mood to linger beneath the sycamores, there are three benches along Canyon Trail where you can stop and relax. There are also posts every half-mile to let you know where you stand between Walker Ranch and the Nature Center.
Three-quarters of a mile from the start, you will pass through a dramatic kink in the canyon where the canyon walls become steep and pinch together. The canyon widens again as you continue up the trail.
Just after the 1.5-mile marker, you will pass a small pool on the right side of the trail. This is a miniature oil seep where “white oil” naturally bubbles to the surface.
Canyon Trail slips through a grove of live oaks to arrive at Walker Ranch, which has been converted into a group campground. Passing picnic tables and fire rings, you will spot an impressive stone fireplace left over from one of the cottages built by Frank Walker and his family on this site a century ago. THIS IS OUR DESTINATION!
After a quick snack break and regrouping, we will return the same way we came.
9:30 am Option 2:
Meet at the picnic tables across the bridge. Bring your own food and drinks, chairs or blankets and something to take notes with. Also bring whatever you usually have with you on a hike – some backpacks are equipped with certain features and I’d like everyone to become familiar with their own packs. Once we settle in with our food, we’ll go over the 10+ essentials every hiker should carry with them at all times and some tips for a more pleasurable hike. Workshop is free but donations are welcome. Some materials will be provided.
Placerita Canyon Nature Center is open to the public. It has beautiful shady trees with tables below to picnic on. From placerita.org:
Placerita is an east-west running canyon featuring cool, shaded oak groves, a willow and sycamore-lined seasonal stream and numerous other interesting plant and animal communities.
The historic “Oak of the Golden Dream” is the site of California’s original gold discovery in 1842.
NEW! Click here for an in-depth look at the Oak of the Golden Dream story (video.)
Another landmark is the Walker Cabin , built by Frank Walker in 1920 for his family.
A network of self-guiding nature, history and hiking trails radiates out into the park from the Center, with longer hikes leading to a seasonal waterfall and to the top of the Santa Clarita Divide. Picnicking is available near the Nature Center.
The park encompasses oak woodland, chaparral, and riparian plant communties on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains southeast of the City of Santa Clarita. The park not only serves to conserve a slice of the wild environment but also endeavors to educate the public on the value of undisturbed flora and fauna through wild animal presentations, nature hikes, and self-guided educational trails.
Please feel free to contact the Nature Center at (661) 259-7721 if you have any questions. http://www.placerita.org/
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PLEASE – Know your limits and abilities. Bring snacks and drink plenty of liquids when hiking. Check weather conditions and dress accordingly and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Watching out for poison oak, snakes, ticks, uneven footing, spectacular views, beautiful fauna all while interacting with awesome (usually) fellow hikers can be extremely hazardous, rewarding and fun.
The Farzan Rule: Posted hike times are the time the hike starts or we leave from a posted shuttle location. I’m aware other Meetup groups offer a grace period for late arrivals; we don’t. It’s your responsibility to know the location of the meeting spot and be there and ready to participate at the posted time. If you have any concerns about the directions feel free to contact the organizer of the event, preferably in advance of the event and not at the start time. I’m of the opinion that it’s not fair to delay an event when the majority of attendees have arrived on-time. (so named after a conversation I had with a certain un-named member)
RSVP’s: If you RSVP for an event be responsible and update your RSVP if your plans change. If your plans change at the last second and you’re not able to update your RSVP also let us know. In my opinion a no-show is someone who has no regard for following the guidelines we request from our members and will risk being removed from future events that have a limit.
VHC HIKE RATING SCALE
Rating a hike is subjective, meaning the difficulty of a hike will be in direct relation to how often you hike and the type of hike you prefer. Keep in mind that any hike can have the following: un-even hiking surfaces, various obstructions, water and/or water crossings or bouldering and/or rock hopping. A great hike will have all of these!
1 – A long walk
2 – 4 mile hike w/little elevation gain
3 – 5 mile hike w/up to 1000 ft. elevation gain
4 – 5+ mile hike w/up to 1500 ft. elevation gain (heart rate increases at times)
5 – 7+ mile hike w/over 1500 ft. elevation gain (heart rate increasing even more at times)
6 – 7+ mile hike w/over 2000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be trying to remember how to perform CPR)
7 – 5+ mile hike w/over 2000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be muttering expletives to yourself)
8 – 10+ mile hike w/over 3500 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be angry with the hike leader)
9 – 10+ mile hike w/over 5000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be thinking of reporting the hike leader to the authorities)
10 – Use your imagination
Class 3 Scrambling: Scrambling or un-roped climbing. You must use your hands at times to hold the terrain or find your route. This may be caused by a combination of boulders, steepness and extreme terrain. Some Class 3 routes have ropes in place for assistance.
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
I am a volunteer (i.e. not liable for the group). Safety is a priority for everyone in the group. Think of this as hiking with a group of friends.
Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you’re taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup events, you are releasing the Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup Group and it’s organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries 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.
