Saturday, January 14, 2023 – ALL DAY HIKE – Ridge Loop through Nightmare Gulch, Red Rock Canyon, Cantil CA – a FULL DAY DESERT ADVENTURE
***** RAIN OR SNOW FALLING AT TRAILHEAD CANCELS THIS HIKE ******
!!!NOTE: Read details carefully.
Distance: ~ 9 miles
Gain/ Loss: ~ 1250′ / 1179′, however we start at 2600′ shooting up to a 3000′ ridgeline
Rating: Moderate ++/ Strenuous
NOTE: THIS HIKE IS IN A DESERT AREA AND IS FOR HARDY WINTER HIKERS. IT IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS AND ONLY FOR MODERATE HIKERS WHO USUALLY CAN STAY CLOSE TO THE MAIN GROUP. THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFETY, WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE YOU OUT THERE!!
NOTE: Please visit the Dropbox link below to read our “Important Information” before answering “Yes” to the question below AND signing up for this hike. https://www.dropbox.com/s/e3wv87jx6mbttgg/Post%20COVID%20Rules%2007122021.docx?dl=0
Thank You
Description:
This hike has become an annual “butt kick-off” for the New Year season and is well known in the LA hiking community. It is in a geologically beautiful area, only open at this time of year.
Our loop route is not on a fixed trail but it does not include bouldering or very difficult topography. The hike begins with a steep climb (luckily when the day is coolest) up and over the first of three ridges. These afford some fabulous views of the entire area. After we climb down the 3rd ridge, we lunch at the East end of Nightmare Gulch (say 30 mins).
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 you need to stay with us. At the exit from the Gulch, we cross an open area of desert for a final uphill climb to the parking area. There will be some variety in hiker ability and speed and long stretches between waypoints, so expect to not feel crowded.
SCV Caravan / Friends Carpool Meeting Spot – in NORTH Santa Clarita Valley (SCV):
We do not organize carpools however, if you want to carpool, we suggest you message hikers/ close friends who you already know well and trust from a COVID perspective. A convenient place to meet on the way is:
Outside STARBUCKS (16548 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91387), in the SaAND CANYON/ Soledad Canyon Road junction VONs strip mall parking lot, off the 14 Hwy.
THIS IS NOT A CHC ORGANIZED CARPOOL
!!! 7:15AM SHARP CARAVAN departure to the trailhead (no exceptions). The total drive is ~ 85 miles one way, ~ 90 minutes.
Mojave (alternate) Caravan Meeting place (For convenience of those who live in Lancaster, Antelope Valley, etc.): If you want to drive to the trailhead with “the gang”, we will be stopping briefly for a potty break/ McMuffin at the McDonalds on the corner of 14 HWY at Mojave – Barstow Hwy at 8:00AM. We leave from McD’s at ~8:15AM, it is only 26.5miles from the trailhead.
MEET LEADER AT TRAILHEAD ( 35.377332, -117.980609 ):
Meet at the Red Rock North Parking Lot (dirt pad on East side of Hwy 14), ¾ mile north of where Red Rock Canyon S.P. / Abbot Road, joins Hwy 14 .
!!!!! 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.
WEAR: Expect cold windy weather; hike will take us to 3,000 ft. Likely to be colder and windy regardless. Dress in layers – you can always remove something if you get too hot. You can always leave a “just in case” jacket in your car, if the weather looks better than expected.
We recommend winter hat/ scarf, GLOVES!!, a WINDPROOF outer layer, sunglasses, sunscreen, hiking shoes/ boots with thread.
FORECAST: Check it and we will also provide an updated forecast in Comments, closer to hike day.
BRING: Lunch / snack, maybe a thermos of coffee, lots of water (2+ liters), CAMERA, hiking poles highly recommended for those ridges.
Leaders’ Notes: No bathrooms at trailhead.
Adventure Pass: Not required.
Dogs and Kids: Not encouraged. Message Leader if you want to bring either.
Leader(s): Paul H
