Saturday, January 13, 2024 – ALL DAY HIKE – Ridge Loop through Nightmare Gulch, Red Rock Canyon, Cantil CA – a FULL DAY DESERT ADVENTURE (Weather Permitting)
Hike leader volunteers: Paul H, Gary S., Dianne H.
Hiking Distance: ~9 miles (Level 3/Intermediate difficulty)
Rating: Moderate ++/ Strenuous (experienced/qualified hikers only)
Gain/ Loss: ~ 1250′ / 1179′, however we start at 2600′ shooting up to a 3000′ ridgeline
Time: ~ Approx 4-5 hours hiking including one snack break
Conditioning: you need to be in generally good physical condition
Dogs and Kids: Not encouraged. Message Leader if you want to bring either.
Restrooms: None
Adventure Pass: Not Required
DESCRIPTION: This is a geologically beautiful area, only open part of the year. Our loop route is not on a fixed trail, but does not include bouldering or difficult topography. The hike begins with a steep climb up and over three ridges. These afford some fabulous views of the entire area. After we climb down the 3rd ridge, we’ll stop for a break at the East end of Nightmare Gulch. The rest of the hike takes us down through the Gulch – high walls and spectacular sandstone rock formations, mainly flat, but with lots of off-shoots, so we need to stay together. At the exit from the Gulch, we cross an open area of desert for a final uphill climb to the parking area.
WEAR: Expect cold windy weather; hike will take us to 3,000 ft. Dress in layers, bring extra outerwear just in case. We recommend winter hat/ scarf, GLOVES!!, a WINDPROOF outer layer, sunglasses, sunscreen, hiking shoes/boots with thread and hiking poles. Also bring Snacks and 2 – 3 liters of water and electrolytes or salt tablets; camera, hat and sunscreen. A WEATHER FORECAST UPDATE WILL BE FORWARDED CLOSER TO HIKE DAY.
Trailhead Location: (**click here for What3Words Map):
Google Map GPS: 35.377332, -117.980609
Parking/Trailhead:** Meet at the Red Rock NORTH Parking Lot (a turnout / dirt pad lot with no signage right on the East side of Hwy 14), ¾ mile north of where Red Rock Canyon S.P. / Abbot Road, joins Hwy 14. You will see cars parked there. Located in the Red Rock Canyon State Recreation Area, Cantil, CA 93519. Be at the trailhead at 9:00AM, so we can depart up the trail at 9:15AM SHARP. We hope to be back at the trailhead by 3:45PM to return to Santa Clarita before 5:30PM.
We highly recommend GAIA (or AllTrails) and What3Words apps be installed on your cell phones!
· GPS Trail Map for Nightmare Gulch
· Recommended Gear List for Hiking and Survival Safety
CARPOOLING:
Contact fellow hikers in advance by posting on the Event Chat, or contact others to arrange carpools. Convenient places to meet are:
- Outside STARBUCKS (16548 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91387), in the SAND CANYON/ Soledad Canyon Road junction VONs strip mall parking lot, off the 14 Hwy!!! 7:15AM Departure. The total drive is ~ 85 miles one way, ~ 90 minutes.
- McDonalds in the town of Mojave at 8:00 am. Located on the corner of 14 HWY at Mojave – Barstow Hwy. We leave from McD’s at ~8:15AM, it is only 26.5miles from the trailhead.
The Community Hiking Club is a Non-Profit 501C3 organization. We rely on donations to continue sponsoring hikes such like this. Please contribute.
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY:
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 Meetup “Terms of Service”. 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.
