*** YOU MUST BRING A FACE COVERING to meet up at the trailhead and to use on trail when it is not possible to avoid close proximity to other hikers. Please be mindful of other people’s space. DO NOT APPROACH ANYONE WITHOUT YOUR FACE COVERING.
*** Hike is waitlisted. For the time being, you must have hiked with us previously. Put yourself on the list and I will add you if I feel you can complete the hike at the group’s pace safely. Limiting the total number of attendees so please change your RSVP immediately if you cannot make it. Apologies for not being able to add everyone but safety is the main priority right now. Those we’ve been hiking with who demonstrate Covid precautions will be given priority.
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We gave this route a try last year. Though we saw damage from the fire and rains, the landscape didn’t seem too drastically changed. It’s not Don’s original Zuma but it will have to do for now so we can avoid a car shuttle. Only sign up if you are ok with route finding, uneven terrain and trail washouts. Towards the end, there is also a wall to climb up with the assistance of a rope.
This is a twist on Don’s Zuma Creek. No car shuttle for this one. We will be starting at Newton Canyon, going up part of the Backbone Trail to the Zuma Ridge Trail and Buzzard’s Roost. From there, we’ll drop down to the canyon and continue up Zuma Creek – scrambling, rock hopping and creek walking. Wear shoes you can get wet.
Write-up is Don’s (with some modification):
The Stats
Distance: >10-11 miles – a guess
Elevation Gain: >2000 feet – a guess
Level: 8 out of 10, scenery factor: priceless
The Trail: Single track, rock & boulder hopping, scrambling, trailblazing and some bushwhacking. PO avoidance.
Time: 6-7+ hours
The Plan
Don’t let the mileage fool ya this is a beautiful, very RUGGED and STRENUOUS hike through Upper Zuma Canyon, and Newton Canyon. There is poison oak everywhere in this canyon so you’ll be determining how sensitive you are to it if you don’t already know. I’d definitely recommend a thorough post hike scrubbing with one of the many PO products on the market. Hike involves some BUSHWHACKING and mostly CLIMBING OVER BOULDERS. Good balance and rock climbing skills are helpful. Also, depending on water flow, you can count on getting your feet wet.
A good portion of the hike is BOULDERING and some CLIMBING over huge sandstone boulders along Zuma Creek. We’ll stop for a lunch where Edison Rd intersects Zuma creek before starting our bouldering portion of our return to the cars. While the trail up to this point will have been a bit of a challenge this is really where the fun starts. Towards the end of the hike, there’s a steep hill to climb (possibly crawl) up.
THIS HIKE TAKES A LOT OF ENERGY!!! (mostly due to climbing up and around the boulders).
Bring Lunch.
Rain does not cancel.
My recommended Poison Oak remedy. Apply “Ivy Off” before the hike. Have a damp wash cloth with pre applied grease cutting dish soap on it in a zip lock. Wash exposed areas at the last water crossing before climbing out of the canyon. Shower with cold water and more dish soap ASAP.
Directions
We’ll meet at the Backbone Trail Trail Head parking on Kanan Dume at Newton Canyon Trailhead.
From PCH: go north on Kanan Dume Rd. Kanan Dume is west of Pepperdine, west of Latigo Canyon Rd, and east of Trancas Canyon Rd. Go about 4.1 miles. It will be on the left just after the first tunnel.
From the 101 (Ventura Freeway): go south on Kanan Dume Rd. Pass Mulholland and Latigo Canyon Rd. On Kanan you’ll go through two tunnels. The trail head will be on the right just before the third tunnel.
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The Fine Print
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.
