DETAILS:
· Hike leader volunteer(s): Dave.
· Meet: Trail head to the left of St. Thomas Aquinas College entrance.
· Distance: ~ 10 Miles total (out and back style)
· Elevation gain: ~ 1600′
· Time: Approximately 5 hours hiking including a couple of 15 minute breaks.
· Conditioning: You need to be in generally good physical condition.
· Dogs: Are OK.
· Hiking Poles – recommended
· Restrooms – None.
· Adventure Pass –Depends were you park.
Hike leader Notes: With the events of the past few weeks lets do a hike in Ojai. Pre-hiked this trail on 01/16/25. Nice water flow but you can keep your feet dry if you try. Our trail starts just pass St. Thomas Aquinas College. There are a few creek crossings and a fair amount of bouldering. Nice views, waterfall, and swimming holes, (to cold for me) Our hike will take us pass Big Cone campgrounds. Down a small section without a trail to the falls. Up a steep section to the top of the falls. Follow the trail pass Cross Camp to the Punch Bowl. There are some sections were the trail is hard to follow. I will go at a slower pace, 2.5 MPH. Stay with me and we will be alright. The early start is because of the limited parking and how popular this trail is. Carpooling would be best.
IMPORTANT NOTES: We’ll hike at a brisk pace and ask everyone to stay with the group for a friendly and safe outing. Any guest that you wish to invite should join the Community Hiking Club (CHC) to participate. Depending on water flow, we may cross streams, but there aren’t 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 at the start of the hike.
ESSENTIAL GEAR:
Hiking boots and poles.
Clothing layers recommended.
Snacks and 2+ liters of water and electrolytes or salt tablets.
Hat and sunscreen.
Additional Hiking and Survival Gear Recommendations (link)
THIS HIKE RANKING: Level 3/4, Intermediate (see chart below) – mainly for the bouldering and the steep uphill section.
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:
10000 Ojai Road Santa Paula Ca. 93060
FILE DOWNLOADS
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.
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.
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
