July-September 2015 Avenues • 1

In This IssueFrom the Chair 2 Conservation Corner 2-4 Santa Rosa Isl. Photos 3 Catalina Island 4-5

Hike No More 5No Snow, No Problem 5-6Yosemite Trip 6 Yosemite Trip Photos 7Outings 8-13Leaders 14

By Gigi Harvey

What is it about islands that stirs the imagination? With serene open spaces, untouched canyons, white sand beach-es, and vista points that offer never-ending ocean views, you find a peacefulness that is not easily experienced on the mainland.

But do we need to travel to an exotic locale in the Pacific to discover the magic of an island? Not at all. Living in Southern California, we are fortunate to have eight Islands off our coast and five of these constitute the Channel Is-lands National Park.

WAS sponsored a Memorial Day Weekend outing over four magical days to Santa Rosa Island. Participants, com-ing from a variety of crowded and busy local cities, were able to explore wide open spaces with no signs of civiliza-tion in sight.

We experienced a feeling of safety on the island, consid-ering that the only visitors were our Sierra Club group and handful of others (whom we hardly saw and never heard). We were virtually the only people on an Island that is 15 miles long and 10 miles wide.

We began our adventure on the Island Packers boat and were lucky to view whales, seals and several large schools of dolphins.

When we arrived on Santa Rosa, the first natural phe-nomena to greet us was the wind, which is common on the “outer Channel islands”—Santa Rosa and San Miguel. The wind was constantly blowing throughout our four day stay. But it turned out to be a welcome natural air conditioner, especially when hiking. The days were pleasantly cool and the wind scented the island with all its native plants.

Santa Rosa Island is home to only three native terrestrial mammals-the island fox (all of 4-5 pounds and the size of a house cat), the Island Spotted Skunk, and the island deer mouse. The latter two are rarely seen. All are endemic to the Channel Islands.

One evening, we were treated to a visit and talk by Peter Sharpe, ecologist with the Institute for Wildlife Studies. Peter is known for his work, beginning in 1997, on the Channel Islands Bald Eagle restoration program on Califor-nia’s Channel Islands (see more in the Conservation Corner article).

A highlight of the weekend was a hike to Carrington Point, never before explored by any of the four leaders. This location held the surprise of hundreds of California Sea lions and northern elephant seals swimming and play-ing on the rocks and in the ocean waves, not far below us. Dozens of Cormorants were nesting on the cliffs and many of the flowers (both native and non-native) were still in bloom.

The island has several historic buildings from its past days of sheep and cattle ranching. These struc-tures are fascinating to see and they inspire thoughts of how the island’s permanent residents lived and worked.

By the end of our trip, we were all smitten with Santa Rosa and inspired to have the opportunity to visit the

other four Channel Islands. If this has sparked YOUR inter-est, consider joining a future WAS Island Outing. n

Old Ranch House at Becker’s Bay, Photo: Read Haworth See more photos of this trip on page 3

Santa Rosa Island Memorial Day Weekend AdventureShoreline of Santa Rosa Island Photo: Christina Micheli

July-September 2015

2 • Avenues July-September 2015

Avenues is a quarterly publication of the Wilderness Adven-tures Section of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Editor: Terry GinsbergDesign: Carole ScurlockContributors: Terry Ginsberg, Gigi Harvey, Jason Lynch, Beth Martin, Marlen Mertz, Gil Roscoe, Wayne Vollaire

Avenues SubmissionsDid you have a special outing experience or want to report on a pressing conservation issue? Stories and photo submissions to Avenues are welcome. All submissions are subject to editing. The deadline for the Oct-Dec 2015 issue is September 15, 2015. Send submissions to Terry Ginsberg at tjayg@charter.net.

Outings SubmissionsOutings approvals and write-ups should be sent to Jason Lynch at jason.highsierra@gmail.com.

Officers & Management Committee Chair: Marlen Mertz V. Chair, Subscriptions, Membership: Mark Mitchell Secretary, Communication Chair: Beth Martin Treasurer: Joel Goldberg Outings Chair: Jason Lynch Conservation Chair: Dean Walraff www.angeles.sierraclub.org/wildadv

Conservation Corner Bird Restoration on the Channel IslandsBy Wayne Vollaire

Peter Sharpe, wildlife ecologist on the Channel Islands, offered a very special treat for participants of the Santa Rosa Island Memorial Day weekend outing. Each year, the WAS outing leaders invite an Island researcher to join our evening happy hour and address the group about the work they are doing.

Peter is a member of the Institute for Wildlife Studies and, since 1997, has been a leader in the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon Restoration Program on California’s Channel Islands. These two birds suffered die-offs because DDT weakened their egg shells and they would crack before chicks could hatch. The Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon populations were wiped out of the Channel Islands by the early 1960s.

From the ChairBy Marlen Mertz

I have a tradition of cele-brating the beginning of sum-mer by making my Memorial Day Weekend extra special. Though summer does not be-gin until the Solstice on June 21, I don’t pay much attention to that!

As a child on the east coast, I learned I could don my white dress and shoes on Memorial Day. And I had to hurry and wear them fast because we all knew they couldn’t be seen after Labor Day. By Memorial Day, the

snow was gone and the days were warm. So in my bright and white New York garb, MY summer always began at the end of May.

I was initially disappointed, when I moved to West LA, and experienced “May Gray” and “June Gloom”. But I

made sure the sometimes less than perfect overcast days didn’t dampen my summer spirit.

A number of years ago, I began celebrating the beginning of my summer season by leading the Memorial Day Wil-derness Adventures Section trips to the Channel Islands, rotating through the three largest Islands.

One year, I moved the Channel Island trip to Labor Day weekend, and somehow I lost track of the summer season. Before I blinked, it was September. The next year I moved the trip back to May.

September and October can be our nicest months in So Cal. But I still have my eastern mentality that June, July and August are the months to have special outdoor adven-tures.

Of course, those that venture up to the Sierra, do have to capitalize on the summer months. September and October can bring back frosty temps, cooler evenings and even the beginning of snow. But the compensation is some pretty fabulous fall foliage with fewer people in the mountains.

This year’s Memorial Day weekend brought me, along with three other leaders and 42 participants to Santa Rosa in the Channel Islands National Park. I again began my summer celebrating on that awesome Isle (see article by leader Gigi Logan).

In the same spirit, leaders Keith and Beth Martin kept their Memorial Day tradition of bringing a Wilderness Adventures group to Wawona, in our magnificent Yosemite National Park.

Whatever you do this summer, make it a great one! Get outdoors. Hike, camp, kayak and/or bike. Plan your own outings or go on the Club’s. If you have a special Wilder-ness Adventure, share it with us in AVENUES. If you have a great read, tell us about it in our newsletter’s outdoor’s book corner.

I wish all of you a special and happy summer filled with many memorable adventures. n

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Crossing the Santa Barbara Channel

July-September 2015 Avenues • 3

Island Packers boat entering Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island Photo: Miya Taepun

Waters of Santa Rosa Island Photo: Christina Micheli

Pristine beach on Santa Rosa Island Photo: Christina Micheli Sandstone cliff Photo: Erika Wetzle

Pinnipeds at Carrington Point Photo: Wayne Vollaire

Santa Rosa Island AdventureMemorial Day Weekend 2015

Island Poppies Photo: Elaine Baldwin

4 • Avenues July-September 2015

Falcon populations were wiped out of the Channel Islands by the early 1960s.

While DDT successfully killed insects in and around homes and in agricultural crops, it stayed in the environ-ment. The chemical ingredients of DDT take many years to disappear or degrade. They were washed from fields and cities into streams, rivers and eventually into the ocean.

Peter spoke to our group, answered questions and then showed us a thrilling video, taken just that morning, using his helmet camera, as he was repelling down an ocean cliff to reach Peregrine Falcon chicks.

Though the Peregrine Falcon, known for its speed and aerial skills, disappeared from the Channel Islands and

Peregrine Falcon chicks Photo: Wayne Vollaire

Peter Sharpe with Bald Eagle Photo: Institute for Wildlife Studies

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Conservation continued from page 2 much of the Northern Hemisphere, they are now back with at least two pairs on every Island. Peter works with several assistants who locate the nests, help band the birds and take blood samples to test for remaining traces of DDT.

Since the Institute for Wildlife Studies, The National Park Service, the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program and The Nature Conservancy first joined forces to bring the Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons back to the Northern Channel Islands in 2002, the populations are expanding without human intervention.

Over the years, Peter Sharpe, has witnessed a number of firsts: the first successful nesting by eagles on the Chan-nel Islands in 50 years; the birth of their first chick in 2006; and the first nests of the offspring of this pair. This was a real milestone for the program — the first attempts of this second generation to produce offspring of their own. The eagle population is now expanding on its own without hu-man intervention.

You can watch the bald eagles live as they raise their chicks through the on-line EAGLECAM.

You can also volunteer with Island Restoration projects on any of the Islands by emailing Channel Island Restora-tion at volunteer@cirweb.org for more information. You can volunteer for the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program on Santa Barbara Island by going to their site and placing your name on their mailing list. n

Readers Share California Outdoor Adventures: Catalina on Your BirthdayBy Marlen Mertz

Did you know that a Catalina boat trip on the exact date of your birthday is free, a gift of Catalina Express? Catalina and other Channel Islands are So CA treasures. I believe Catalina is best visited in the late winter and spring when the hillside are green and the flowers are blooming. But anytime is a nice getaway.

Many of us have taken a day trip to Avalon and seen its shops and restaurants. But there is much more to do and experience on this Island.

You can use your birthday boat ride to go to Avalon (from Long Beach or Dana Point) or Twin Harbors (from San Pedro) and the best part is you have up to 30 days to return. Boat fare is normally $74 ($68 for seniors).

Various vendors offer birthday deals. You can rent a bike at a discount (you can also bring your own). Riding on the hilly and difficult dirt roads requires a Conservancy permit of $30 which is good for the whole year. But it is also fun —and no permit is required—to ride around town on the paved roads and to the Wrigley Memorial where there is a trailhead for a nice day hike. The rental shop does not give a lock. They insist you can leave the bike anywhere, anytime and it will be perfectly safe. If the bike is not where you left it, the shop states it is their responsibility. Wow, a

July-September 2015 Avenues • 5

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When You Hike No MoreBy Gil Roscoe

Reprinted from the Sierra Club, West Los Angeles Group newsletter with permission of the author.

My mother moved into a retirement home in New Jersey while she was still quite healthy and able to get around. One of the volun-teer jobs she took on while there was to visit those who were bedridden. She would bring them magazines, share a cup of tea and try her best to get them to talk about themselves and their lives. She was not a trained coun-selor, but she would often hear about people’s troubles and regrets. It wasn’t often

that she could actually do something about the things she heard, but one time she came up with the perfect solution and it involved me, and the Grand Canyon.

One of the men she talked with could no longer walk and he often expressed his disappointment that his hik-

ing days were over. When my mother asked him to tell her about his favorite hike, he described the time he walked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Her reply was to tell him that her son had done that same hike several times and maybe on my next visit she would get us together. That’s exactly what happed. In fact, the next two times I visited, my mother guided me down the hall to this man’s room and then left us alone to talk about our wonderful days in the Grand Canyon. The man’s name was Bob and I could actually gauge the change in his mood from the time I entered the room until the time I left. The discussion about our mutual hikes in that world wonder served to brighten his mood and it was very easy to see it.

About a week after Bob passed away my mother re-ceived a visit from his two daughters. They sought her out because they wanted her to pass on their thanks to me. They told my mother that their father very often talked about his visits with his fellow Grand Canyon hiker. That our two talks about our hiking days had lifted his spirits and made his last year all the better. There were hugs, tears and smiles before they left.

It really was an easy task for me to walk down that hall and talk to this man. What it meant to him was beyond my ability to understand at the time. As I get older I under-stand it better now. I can’t help but hope someone will do the same for me when my hiking days are over. So here’s a plea from me to you. When your old hiking pals can no longer make it up the trail, don’t forget them. Go for a visit and help them to relive their glory days once again.

Gil Roscoe’s novels are available on all e-book services. n

No Snow? No Problem!By Beth Martin

It’s a testament to the beauty and inspiration of Yosem-ite that nobody cancelled when our ski and snowshoe trip over President’s Day weekend became a hiking trip be-cause of no snow.

On Friday, Feb. 13, 25 participants and four leaders—Keith and Beth Martin, Sharon Moore and Jim Hagar—car-pooled to our two cabins at The Redwoods in Yosemite, just a stone’s throw from the Wawona Hotel.

Saturday we split into two hiking groups, one bound for nearby Chilnualna Falls, one of the most beautiful water-falls in Yosemite. Recent rainfall had Chilnualna Creek gushing over the cliffs, a spectacular sight. The beautiful 8-mile, 2,400” gain hike had participants back at the cabins later tired but happy.

The other group headed for the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The Mariposa Grove is closing in July of this year for about two years, while it undergoes extensive work to restore it more closely to its natural state (check out the plan at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/mariposagrove.htm). Our group was excited to hike about five miles through both the upper and lower groves.

No Snow continued on page 6

world apart from LA! Another shop offers a free ice cream and one restaurant a free dinner. The Casino offers a comp tour on your birthday. And the best is that Catalina Express gives you a birthday ribbon so nice strangers, throughout the day, offer friendly and uplifting birthday greetings.

What else is there to do on the Island? You can plan a multi-day backpack over 37 miles on the Trans-Catalina Trail, camping along the way. Hearty hikers can do it with a full pack. Fancy hikers can have their gear delivered to the next campsite. You can also “order” firewood which will be stored in your campsite locker. In addition, Rangers sell charcoal and propane.

The Hermit Gulch campground in Avalon has clean and comfortable cabin tents with new looking cots. On a pleasantly warm February weekend, the campground was totally empty. Reserve early, though, for Spring/Summer dates.

There is the very charming Banning Inn and two nearby houses for rent in Twin Harbors, in addition to a number of campgrounds.

Besides hiking, other ways to see the Island are open air safari vehicle, bus, boat and with Catalina Adventure tours. You can take a full day Jeep Eco Tour to the Island’s west end. Or take a half day tour on the Wildlands Express to the Airport in the Sky and walk the trail to the 2,000 year old Native American soapstone quarry. Also known as steatite, soapstone was used extensively both on the island and the mainland to create cooking pots and bowls. n

6 • Avenues July-September 2015

No Snow continued from page 5Back at the cabins, we got busy in the kitchens. All of us

in one cabin walked salad and other dinner fixings over to the neighboring cabin, just down the road, so we could eat together and learn about the next day’s plans.

Sunday’s outing was to Yosemite Valley and the hike on Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada falls. The Mist Trail is usu-ally closed in winter because of ice and snow, but because of the drought it was open. We enjoyed warm temps, sunny skies and, well, YOSEMITE. Even the uber traffic jam we all got stuck in trying to drive out of the valley late in the afternoon didn’t dampen our spirits. The next day we headed home.

We repeated a version of this trip over a rainy Memorial Day weekend, with just one cabin, 14 participants and two leaders, Keith and Beth. The first day we hiked to Chilnu-alna Falls again, which was eerie this time in the fog. We dodged the rain by a nanosecond; just as the last of us were reaching the cabin it began coming down. The annual BBQ dinner at the Wawona Hotel was rained out; luckily Keith had made advance reservations in the hotel dining room, and we enjoyed a delicious meal there.

The second day we parked at Glacier Point and had a glorious hike along the Panorama Trail to Nevada Falls, where we had lunch, and then trekked back to Glacier Point. The views of Half Dome, Nevada Falls, Vernal Falls, Yosemite Falls and Illouette Falls along this route are spectacular. This was the first time our entire group was able to complete the more than 10 mile, 2700” gain hike! We started out under sunny skies, but as we returned storm clouds shrouded the top of Half Dome. We were snug in the cabin when the rain came down again.

The next morning the rain was gone, and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of bacon, sausage and eggs before vacat-ing the cabin. Some people who had not seen the Mariposa Grove recently opted to hike there before heading home. Another small group checked out the Swinging Bridge trail, which is a 4.8-mile flat loop through the Pioneer Yosemite History Center in Wawona and the Redwoods in Yosemite inholding.

Both of these are usually annual trips. Keep your eye on the Angeles Chapter’s online activities page (OARS) at the end of this year and early next year for 2016 listings! n

Memorable Memorial Day Weekend in YosemiteBy Terry Ginsberg

A group of 13 intrepid hikers followed Beth and Keith Martin to a Redwood Cabin located in an enclave behind the Wawona Hotel in Yosemite despite warnings of week-end thunderstorms and other inclement weather. Yes, all 15 people would stay together under one roof albeit with four bathrooms and six bedrooms.

Friday night people became acquainted or reacquainted as the case may be around glasses of wine or cups of tea

while Beth explained the kitchen rules and Keith described potential outings whose determination would depend on the weather. A few folks were used to this communal routine while it was new for others. But, everyone appreci-ated the luxury of soft beds and warm showers as com-pared with hard soil and moist cold temperature available outside.

For breakfast Saturday morning there were choices of regular or extra strong coffee; cold cereal, oatmeal and eggs; and various fruits including delicious Cara cara oranges. We headed only a short distance to the Chilnualna Falls trailhead for a hike of about 8 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Most followed Beth’s steady pace but others learned navigation from Keith or botanized with Pam who appreciated the unusual harlequin lupine colored with purple and yellow. Arriving at the upper falls where we en-joyed lunch, the water level was lower than usual allowing us to see the unusual shapes created by erosion. We headed back relatively soon after and all returned home before the afternoon deluge.

Other than when and where to shower, the impending question was would the Wawona Hotel host the holiday BBQ on its lawn or call it off on account of rain. As the lat-ter applied, we settled into the dining room at 5:30 p.m. to partake in entrees of pot roast, trout or pasta.

Sunday morning our prayers were answered as pleasant weather allowed us to drive early to Glacier Point to hike the Panorama Trial to Nevada Falls. Starting out from one of the world’s most spectacular views we descended about 1,300 feet to IIlowhett Falls. We crossed the narrow bridge to climb about 800 feet to the trailhead for Nevada Falls. On the journey we encountered people in various degrees of preparation: some carried shopping bags and dressed in gym clothes while others seemed to have the essentials.

This trail should be considered precarious because the views to the side are so wonderful you don’t want to look straight ahead where you are stepping. We descended rap-idly 500 feet on a path composed of earth and what seemed to be the remains of an asphalt road.

Arriving at the Falls we reentered civilization where throngs of people of all ages, sizes and nationalities were resting and appreciating the majesty of the falls fortuitously tinged with a rainbow. On another level, cute little squir-rels and ragged blue jays carefully observed all comers with the intent of receiving sustenance whether deliberate-ly or carelessly provided. After a half hour we resumed the walk in reverse and ultimately climbed back up the switch-backs which seemed much steeper in this direction.

Returning to the “cabin” the group shared responsibili-ties in preparing a fiesta to replenish our carbohydrates including tacos, salad, pie, wine and ice cream. More pro-tein was provided Sunday morning in the form of bacon, sausage and eggs. In my opinion, this was an extremely successful trip: well organized and managed by the leaders, blessed by the weather gods, and enthusiastically enjoyed by the participants. n

July-September 2015 Avenues • 7

Adventures in YosemitePresident’s Day Weekend and Memorial Day Weekend 2015

Photos courtesy of Sharon Moore, Beth Martin and trip participants.

8 • Avenues July-September 2015

2015 OutingsIn order to participate in a Sierra Club outing, you will need to sign a liability waiver, usually included on the sign-in sheet. If you would like to read a copy of the waiver prior to the outing, please see the following: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms or, call (415) 977-5528 for a printed version.Carpooling/RidesharingIn the interests of facilitating the logistics of some outings, it is customary that participants make carpooling arrange-ments. The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them. Car-pooling, ride sharing or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.Cancellation PolicyReservations: For outings costing over $10, arrange reservations in advance by sending a check payable to ‘Wilderness Adventures.’ Unless otherwise noted, cancellation is without penalty up to 30 days before departure; thereafter 90 per-cent refundable only if a suitable replacement is found. For trips where group size is limited by permits or safety, up to a $50 deposit can be required (in addition to any permit or reservation fees), refundable at the trailhead if you show up, and participate on the outing. No-shows’ checks will be deposited.For all trips that charge a fee to participate, other than a permit fee, the Chapter is registered as a California Seller of Travel #CST 2087760-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.If you have questions about any of these Wilderness Adventure Section outings, contact the leaders listed on page 14. Note: Holiday trips are especially popular; early sign-ups are encouraged to increase your chances of successfully obtaining a reservation.

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Weekend OutingsUnless otherwise noted, all outings are fully sponsored by the Wilderness Adventures Section. All participants must sign a Sierra Club Liability Waiver in order to go on any outing.

Jul 25 SatO: SoCal Summits #6 - San Jacinto (10,804’): Join us on training hike #6 of the Seven SoCal Summits to Mt San Ja-cinto (10,804’), 17 miles round trip with 5000’ of gain on the Devil’s Slide Trail in the San Jacinto Wilderness, starting in the town of Idyllwild. Contact Leader (Bob or Mary) for trip requirements, and meeting time and location. Leader: Robert Cody. Co-Leaders: Mary Forgione, Mandy Horak, Ernest M Scheuer.

Jun 25 SatO: A Hike, a Picnic and a Play: Hike five miles in Topanga State Park, have an evening potluck picnic and then enjoy a play in the nearby stunningly gorgeous Theatricum Botanicum. Tucked in a wooded canyon, this is a magical outdoor theater setting. Write leader at mbmertz@aol.com for details. You will purchase your own theater tickets and they do sell out. So don’t wait too long. Leader: Marlen Mertz Co-leaders: Wayne Vollaire, Ginny Heringer, Mar-shall Ratinoff, Joe Young.

We will be seeing four plays on the dates below, purchas-ing Lower Tier tickets. Cost for a single ticket is $39.30 ($30 seniors) and four plays for seniors is a discounted $92.00. The plays are as follows:

Sat, July 25 at 7:30 pm. “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs, A 1931 play with a mix of drama, romance and America’s most popular folk music.Sat, Aug 1 at 7:30 pm. “Sunday August Osage County”. A Tony Award winning play taking place on an Oklahoma homestead, we see the dark side of the Midwestern Ameri-can family.Sun, Aug 9 at 3:30 pm. Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” set in the South of the post-Civil War era, adding traditional folk music and dance.Sun, Aug 23 at 3:30 pm. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Chris-topher Sergel. Based on the Pulitzer prize winning novel set in a small Southern town during the Great Depres-sion, the idyllic childhood of eight-year-old Scout and her brother Jem is changed forever when their lawyer father defends a poor black man accused of raping a young white woman.Link to the tickets purchasing site is:http://www.theatricum.com/tickets.htm

Aug 1 SatO: Eagles Roost to Buckhorn Flat Hike: Stroll through mature forest down and up a couple stream canyons whose creeks should be splashing through the woods. Possible brief off-trail scramble to a small waterfall. Hike will be one-way moderate-paced, 5 1/2 miles with 1100’ loss and 900’ gain using a car shuttle. Wear sturdy shoes or lug-sole boots and bring the usuals for a dayhike, including lunch and at least two quarts of water. Meet by 8:00 AM at La Canada rideshare point - Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2), Just N of Foothill Fwy (I-210). Cars parked in Angeles National Forest will need to display Adventure Passes. Leader: Mark Mitchell. Co-Leader: Dean Wallraff.

July-September 2015 Avenues • 9

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Aug 1 SatO: A Hike, a Picnic and a Play: See Jun 25 for more details. Hike five miles in Topanga State Park, have an evening pot luck picnic and then enjoy a play in the nearby stunningly gorgeous Theatricum Botanicum. Tucked in a wooded can-yon, this is a magical outdoor theater setting. Write leader at mbmertz@aol.com for details. You will purchase your own theater tickets and they do sell out. So don’t wait too long. Leader: Marlen Mertz.

Aug 9 SunO: A Hike, a Picnic and a Play: See Jun 25 for more details. Hike five miles in Topanga State Park, have an evening pot luck picnic and then enjoy a play in the nearby stunningly gorgeous Theatricum Botanicum. Tucked in a wooded can-yon, this is a magical outdoor theater setting. Write leader at mbmertz@aol.com for details. You will purchase your own theater tickets and they do sell out. So don’t wait too long. Leader: Marlen Mertz.

Aug 23 SunO: A Hike, a Picnic and a Play: See Jun 25 for more details. Hike five miles in Topanga State Park, have an evening pot luck picnic and then enjoy a play in the nearby stunningly gorgeous Theatricum Botanicum. Tucked in a wooded can-yon, this is a magical outdoor theater setting. Write leader at mbmertz@aol.com for details. You will purchase your own theater tickets and they do sell out. So don’t wait too long. Leader: Marlen Mertz.

Aug 25-30 Sponsored by Wilderness Adv & HPSO: High Sierra Pacific Crest Trail Backpack from Horse-shoe Meadow to Onion Valley: We will begin this trip at Horseshoe Meadow, go over Cottonwood Pass (11,145’) enter Sequoia NP, have a layover day at Guitar Lake to dayhike Mt Whitney (14,505’), go over Forester Pass (13,200’) and Kearsarge Pass (11,771’) and end at Onion Valley. Strenuous, but moderately paced, 6 days, 65 miles, one-way. Group size limited. Participants will need to share in expense of a rental van. Send email with H & C phones, city, recent conditioning and backpack experience to Leader: Ted Lubeshkoff. Co-leader: Pat Arredondo.

Aug 29 SatO: SoCal Summits #7 - Mt Baldy and the 3 T’s: Join us on training hike #7 (the last) of the 2015 Seven SoCal Summits: 19 miles and with 7000’ gain. We will finish the series with a steep hike up to Mt Baldy (10,064’) from Baldy Village and then across the backbone to the notch restaurant. We will then tackle the three T’s returning via Ice House Can-yon. Car shuttle required. Leader: Robert Cody. Co-Lead-ers: Mary Forgione, Mandy Horak, Ernest M Scheuer.

Sep 4-7 Fri-MonO: Thousand Island Lake Backpack: Sierra backpack from Agnew Meadows to Silver Lake Resort, 29 miles, 4000’ gain over four days. Fri backpack from Agnew Meadows

to Shadow Creek, 5 miles, 1000’ gain. Sat dayhike to Cecile Lake and back, 9.5 miles, 1300’ gain. Sun backpack to Thou-sand Island Lake, 5.5 miles, 1500’ gain. Mon out to Silver Lake Resort, 2600’ loss, 9.3 miles. Subject to permit avail-ability. Requires car shuttle. Send experience and condition-ing, with email or 2 SASE, carpool info, deposit check for $20 payable to “Wilderness Adventures” (returned at trail-head) to Leader: Dean Wallraff. Co-Leader Mark Mitchell.

Sep 12-14 Sat-MonI: Mt Stanford (12,838’) and Mt Huntington (12,394’): Bag these two peaks from Pioneer Basin. Sat, start in lovely Little Lakes Valley for moderately strenuous 9 mile, 2,800 feet gain, 2,000 feet loss backpack over Mono Pass to camp by a lake in Pioneer Basin. Sunday, strenuous 8 mi, 4,500 gain/loss off-trail ascent of SPS-listed Stanford, with de-scent back to Pioneer Basin and off-trail hike to reach and then climb Mt Huntington before return to camp. Monday, return to cars. Must be in strong physical condition and comfortable with steep, off-trail hiking. Send $5 permit fee, 2 SASE or email, H/W/cell phones, recent conditioning, experience, rideshare to Leader: Mark Mitchell, Co-Ldr: Daniel Kinzek.

Nov 26-29 Thu-SunO: Grand Canyon National Park Thanksgiving Bustrip: Leave early Thu morning for daytime bus ride to spend Thanksgiving in the Grand Cyn National Park. Stay Thu & Fri at the South Rim and Sat night in historic Williams, AZ on Route 66. Return to LA Sun evening. Enjoy a deli-cious Thanksgiving meal, spectacular vistas on dayhikes along the rim and into the canyon, and explore interest-ing architecture and cultural sites. Harder/easier options offered each day. Optional historic train excursion on the Grand Cyn Rwy to Williams for Sat night ($54 est) instead of taking the bus. Cost includes chartered bus, bus snacks/drinks, 2 nights lodging at Maswik Lodge and 1 night at the Grand Rwy Hotel (2 per room/2 beds; single signups welcome, and will be paired with person of same gender), Sun lunch included on return trip. All other meals, includ-ing optional Thanksgiving dinner at the elegant El Tovar Hotel are your responsibility. After Oct 25, 10% cancellation penalty, balance refundable only if trip is full and suitable replacement found. Send 2 sase or email & 1 sase, H/W/cell phones, $495 (payable Wilderness Adventures), plus optional $54 deposit for train excursion group rate (final price may be higher) to Reserv: Jason Lynch. Leaders Beth & Keith Martin.

Dec 12O: Griffith Park Peaklets: Join us on our annual trek of Griffith Park, the finest city park in the country. This is a strenuous hike of 13 miles, 3500’ elevation gain on scram-bles to nine or more different peaklets. Plan to spend most of the day hiking at a moderate pace. We will hike from Burbank Peak to Beacon Hill passing by Bee Rock, the Hol-lywood Sign, Dante’s View, and the Old Zoo. We will start the hike at 8:00 AM Meet at the Griffith Park upper merry-

10 • Avenues July-September 2015

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go-round parking lot #2. Bring 2-3 qts water, food for lunch at the Magic Tree and snacks. Leaders: Robert Cody, Mary Forgione.

Tuesday & Thursday MorningJul 2 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Summer Schedule - Top of Reseda: Moderately paced 5-8 mile hike, depending on weather, in northern Topanga State Park. Meet 7:30 AM at top of Reseda Blvd in Tarzana (from 101 Ventura Fwy take Reseda Blvd, exit 23, turn south and go 3 miles to Mulhol-land Gateway Park, and park along street below the yellow line, just outside fee area). Bring plenty of water, snacks, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leaders: Mimi Knights, Diane DeMarco.

Jul 7 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Malibu Beach Walk: Low tide beach walk from Dan Blocker State Beach to Mal-ibu Lagoon. Moderately paced 6 mile, no gain walk along beach (bare feet OK) past tide pools and sea creatures. Meet at the beach at 8:30 AM. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Las Virgenes Rd/Malibu Canyon exit, go south to Pacific Coast Hwy. From Malibu Canyon Rd intersection, turn right and go west on Pacific Coast Hwy approx 2 miles. Park on PCH near the lifeguard station at bottom of hill. (You’ll need to turn around and park on the beach side. The 76 station at Corral Canyon Rd is handy.) Bring water, snack, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Pixie Klemic. Asst: Marcia Harris.

Jul 9 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Summer Schedule - Malibu Beach Walk: Moderately paced 7 mile walk at Surfrider Beach in Malibu. Meet 7:30 AM at Surfrider Beachpark-ing lot (from 101 Ventura Fwy take Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Rd, exit 32,to Pacific Coast Hwy, turn left (east), go 1 1/4 mile and after crossing bridge either park on right (beach) side of PCH between Adamson House & the pier, or enter parking lot at Adamson House & pay to park in lot. Bring water, snacks, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Lead-ers: Nancy Krupa, Pixie Klemic.

Jul 14 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Las Virgenes Canyon into Ahmanson: Moderately paced 6 mile, 600’ gain hike from Las Virgenes Canyon and into the eastern Ahmanson Ranchlands. Visit the riparian, grasslands, and oak wood-lands communities in the beautiful Agoura Hills. Meet 7:30 AM at trailhead kiosk. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Las Virgenes Rd exit north 1+ mile to end, street parking. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Rita Okowitz. Asst: Laura Lee-Stewart.

Jul 16 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Orange and Red Lines, Ed’s Downtown: Ed Rosenthal will show us around his territory in downtown Los Angeles, visiting historic places as well as new developments. Meet before 7:30 AM at the Sepul-veda Orange Line ticket vending machines in time to board bus at 7:30 AM. Entrance to large free parking lot is on Erwin St, west of Sepulveda Blvd and north of Oxnard St. Bring water, hat, sunscreen, TAP card (or purchase for $1) and money for bus/Metro (check www.mta.net/around/fares for latest info) and a cafe lunch. Contact a leader if you prefer to board elsewhere. Leaders: Margaret Vernallis, Nancy Krupa.

Jul 21 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Point Dume to Paradise Cove Beach Walk: Moderately paced 5-6 mile, 200’ gain, low tide beach walk over the bluff at Pt. Dume to Paradise Cove. Beautiful cliffs, sparkling surf, soft sands and tide pools. Meet 7:30 AM at entrance to Westward Beach parking lot. From PCH and Kanan Rd., go north ap-prox 3/4 mile and turn left into Westward Beach Rd (just before Zuma Beach), go 1/2 mile and park on side of road or pay to park in lot at end of road. Bring water, snack, sandals or tennis shoes OK, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Marcia Harris. Asst: Laura Lee-Stewart.

Jul 23 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Summer Schedule - Paradise Cove Beach Walk: Moderately paced 7 mile walk on the beach & the bluff to Paradise Cove and back. Meet 7:30 AM at entrance to Westward Beach Rd parking lot in Malibu (from Kanan Dume Rd intersection go west on Pacific Coast Hwy3/4 mile, turn left on Westward Beach Rd (just before Zuma Beach), go about 1/2 mile and park onside of road or pay to park in lot at end of road). Bring water, snacks, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Mimi Knights Asst: Nancy Krupa.

Jul 28 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Trippet Ranch, Dead Horse Trail: Moderately paced 5 mile, 600’ gain hike in To-panga State Park including the Nature trail. Deer sightings common. Meet 8:00 AM at Trippet Ranch fee parking lot. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Topanga Canyon Blvd 7 1/2 mi south to Entrada Rd, turn left (east), and go about a mile to fee lot. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Rita Okowitz. Asst: Virve Leps.

Jul 30 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Summer Schedule - Parker Mesa Overlook: Moderately paced 6 mile hike, 1300’ gain, in western Topanga State Park. Meet 7:30 AM at trailhead (from 101 Ventura Fwy take Topanga Canyon Blvd south to Entrada Rd, turn left (east) and continue to fork with Colina Drive (do not turn right on Colina Road), continue straight on Colina Drive until it meets with Waveview

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Drive and Entrada Rd, and park on street). Bring plenty of water, snacks, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Ted Mattock. Asst: Nancy Krupa.

Aug 4 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Malibu Beach Walk: Low tide beach walk at Surfrider Beach and past Malibu Lagoon into the Colony. Moderately paced 4 mile, no gain walk along beach (bare feet OK.) Lots of birds. We’ll see how the Lagoon is recovering from all the recent work. Meet 7:30 AM at Surfrider Beach parking lot - From 101 Ventura Fwy take Las Virgenes Rd/Malibu Canyon exit, go south to Pacific Coast Hwy. Turn left (E) and go 1 1/4 mile; after crossing bridge, either park on beach side of PCH be-tween Adamson House and Pier or enter fee lot by Adam-son house. Bring water, snack, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Pixie Klemic. Asst: Marcia Harris.

Aug 6 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Summer Schedule - Paradise Cove Beach Walk: Moderately paced 7 mile walk on the beach & the bluff to Paradise Cove and back. Meet 7:30 AM at entrance to Westward Beach Rd parking lot in Malibu (from Kanan Dume Rd intersection go west on Pacific Coast Hwy 3/4 mile, turn left on Westward Beach Rd (just before Zuma Beach), go about 1/2 mile and park onside of road or pay topark in lot at end of road). Bring water, snacks, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Doug Demers. Asst: Nancy Krupa.

Aug 11 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Caballero Canyon and Bent Arrow Trail: Moderately paced 5 mile loop hike with 900’ elevation gain up a typical Santa Monica Mtn canyon onto old dirt Mulholland, then briefly into Topanga State Park. Chaparral and valley views. Meet at 7:30 AM at the Caballero trailhead. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Reseda Blvd exit, turn south and go 2 miles, street parking. Trailhead is on east side across from Braemar Country Club entrance. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Virve Leps. Asst: Reaven Gately.

Aug 13 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Summer Schedule - Top of Reseda: Moderately paced 5-8 mile hike, depending on weather, in northern Topanga State Park. Meet 7:30 AM at top of Reseda Blvd in Tarzana (from 101 Ventura Fwy take Reseda Blvd, exit 23, turn south and go 3 miles to Mulhol-land Gateway Park, and park along street below the yellow line, just outside fee area). Bring plenty of water, snacks, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Reaven Gately. Asst: Diane DeMarco.

Aug 18 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Malibu Creek State Park / Grasslands Trail: Moderately paced 4 mile, 300’ gain hike over Grasslands Trail to the Rock Pool and Century

Lake. See the sites where many movies were shot. Meet 7:30 AM at Trailhead on Mulholland Hwy just west of Malibu Canyon and over bridge. Park along road. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Las Virgenes Rd/Malibu Canyon exit, go south 5 3/4 miles to Mulholland Hwy. Turn right, go over bridge and park. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Rita Okowitz. Asst: Laura Lee-Stewart.

Aug 20 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Summer Schedule - Stunt High Trail to Saddle Peak: Moderately paced 8 mile, 2000’ gain hike to Saddle Peak from Stunt Road in Calabassas. Meet 7:30 AM at Stunt High trailhead. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Valley Circle/Mulholland Dr, exit 29, go south, turn right on Valmar Rd (becomes Old Topanga Cyn Rd), then right on Mulholland Hwy for 3 1/2 miles, left on Stunt Rd for 1 mile, and park on dirt shoulder on right. Bring 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Doug Demers, Asst: Nancy Krupa.

Aug 25 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace hikers / Malibu Nature Preserve from Nicholas Flat: Rare opportunity to hike from Nicholas Flat in Leo Carrillo State Park and descend through a private nature preserve in Nicholas Cyn with stunning ocean views. 4-6 mile, 200’ gain /1600’ loss. Learn how this land came to be protected and the history of this area. Enjoy snack in the beautiful Sycamore Grove picnic grounds and enjoy historic Sierra Club and local landscape art work in lodge. Meet at 8:00 AM at the Malibu Nature Preserve. Take 101 Fwy W to Kanan Rd., Kanan S to PCH, then PCH West 7 1/2 miles to Malibu Nature Preserve, 33905 West PCH, Malibu. Free parking. Short car shuttle. Bring water, snack, lug sole boots. Rain cancels. Leader: Pixie Klemic. Asst: Rita Okowitz.

Aug 27 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Malibu Creek State Park: Mod-erately paced 8 mile, 1000’ gain hike including Lookout Trail with great views, Century Lake, and Reagan picnic area. Meet 8 AM at Cornell & Mulholland dirt parking area (from 101 Ventura Fwy take Kanan Rd, exit 36, south 1/2 mile, turn left on Cornell and veer to right continuing south 3 miles, past Paramount Ranch, to paved entrance of dirt parking area on east side of street just south of Mulholland Hwy). Bring 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leaders: Gary Anderson, Diane DeMarco.

Sep 1 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / King Gillette Ranch: Moderately paced 5 mile, 400’ elevation gain hike around our newest acquisition to the Santa Monica Parklands, most recently owned by SOKA University. Beautiful valley and coast live oak savannah, grasslands, coastal sage scrub, etc, as well as manicured grounds around the original Gil-lette Mansion. Meet 8:00 AM in fee parking lot of Ranch. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Las Virgenes Rd/Malibu Can-

12 • Avenues July-September 2015

yon exit, go south approx 5 3/4 miles to Mulholland Hwy. Turn left on Mulholland and then right to enter the long eucalyptus alleé driveway for Ranch. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Rita Okow-itz. Asst: Dotty Sandford.

Sep 3 Thu O: Thu Moderate Hikers / Las Virgenes Canyon: Mod-erately paced 8-9 mile, 800’-1200’ gain hike in delightful canyon, with various options depending on weather. Meet 8 AM at trailhead kiosk. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Las Virgenes Rd, exit 32, north 1+ mile to end, street parking. Bring 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain can-cels. Leader: Ted Mattock. Asst: Diane DeMarco.

Sep 8 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Top of Reseda to Nike Missile Site: Moderately paced 6 mile, 600’ gain hike along old dirt Mulholland to cold war Nike site. Great views of SF Valley and Encino Reservoir. Meet 8:00 AM at top of Reseda Blvd in Tarzana. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Reseda Blvd exit, turn south and go 3 miles to Mulholland Gateway Park. Choice to park along street below the white line at beginning of fee area or pay fee and park above. Meet at trailhead at the top. Bring water, snacks, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Laura Lee-Stewart. Asst: Reaven Gately.

Sep 10 ThuO: Thu Moderate Hikers / Caballero Canyon, Topanga State Park: Moderately paced 8-10 mile hike in northern Topanga State Park. Meet 8 AM at Caballero trailhead in Tarzana (from 101 Ventura Fwy take Reseda Blvd, exit 23, go south 2 miles to east side across from Braemar Coun-try Club entrance). Bring 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leaders: Mimi Knights, Diane DeMarco.

Sep 15 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Malibu Creek State Park - Cornell to M*A*S*H Site: Moderately paced 6 mile, 600’ gain hike including Lookout Trail with great views, Century Lake, the M*A*S*H site, and Reagan picnic area. Meet 8:00 AM at Cornell & Mulholland dirt parking area.

From 101 Ventura Fwy take Kanan Rd exit, go south on Kanan Rd 1/2 mile, turn left on Cornell Way and veer to right continuing south 3 miles (past Paramount Ranch) to paved entrance to dirt parking area on east side of street just south of Mulholland Hwy. (Entrance on Lake Vista Rd.) Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Prov Leader: Ken Broomfield. Asst: Rita Okowitz.

Sep 17 ThuO: Thu Moderate Hikers / Towsley Cyn, Santa Clarita Woodlands: Moderately paced 7 mile, 1350’ gain (optional 5 mile, 1050’ gain) hike with great vistas, a chilly narrows, diverse plant life and tar seeps. Meet 8 AM at Ed Davis Park in Santa Susana Mtns. Take Calgrove Blvd, exit 166, from Interstate 5, turn west under the freeway and take the Old Road south 1/2 mile to Ed Davis Park on right, drive past Santa Clarita rideshare parking area outside entrance, go through gate and park in large dirt parking area 100 yds beyond the gate. Bring 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Reaven Gately. Asst: Nancy Krupa.

Sep 22 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Red Rock Canyon from Stunt Rd: Moderately paced 4 mile, 800’ gain hike up a fire road and then down into hidden Red Rock Canyon with bright brick red rock formations. Seasonal streams, good views, chaparral and sage habitats. Meet 8:00 AM at Stunt Road trailhead. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Valley Circle/Mulholland Dr exit south, turn right on Valmar Rd (becomes Old Topanga Cyn Rd), right on Mulholland Hwy for 3 1/2 miles, left on Stunt Rd for 1 mile, park on dirt shoulder on right. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sun-screen. Rain cancels. Leader: Laura Lee-Stewart. Asst: Pixie Klemic.

Sep 24 ThuO: Thu Moderate Hikers / Hondo Canyon Backbone Trail & Fossil Ridge: Moderately paced 9 mile, 1800’ gain hike in scenic canyon and along ridge with great ocean, moun-tain and valley views. Meet 8 AM at trailhead, located on Old Topanga Canyon Rd 0.4 mile west of intersection with Topanga Canyon Blvd. Limited roadside parking, so ride-sharing is suggested. Bring 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Ted Mattock. Asst: Diane DeMarco.

Sep 29 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Newton Canyon (E) / Backbone Trail: Moderately paced 5 mile, 800’ gain, hike into Zuma Canyon on a scenic trail through oak woodlands and chaparral. Meet 8:00 AM Newton Canyon Trailhead. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Kanan Rd exit, go south on Kanan Rd approx 8 mi to paved trailhead parking area on west side just north of Tunnel 1 (3rd tunnel from 101 about 1 3/4 miles past Mulholland Hwy; 4 1/2 mi north of PCH). Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Rita Okowitz. Asst: Marcia Harris.

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Thursday Evening Conditioning Hikes Resume in September O: Henninger Flats Conditioning Hikes: A weekly 6 mi rt, 1400’ gain aerobic conditioning hike. Great views of LA Basin and the night sky. Meet 6:55 pm (we start at 7 PM) every Thursday at the gate at Pinecrest (from Pasadena, exit east bound I-210 at Altadena Dr, N 2½ mi to Crescent Dr, R to 2260 Pinecrest Dr; Altadena). Bring water, flashlight, sturdy shoes. For more information contact Ldr/Coord: Pam Allen ezadorah@hotmail.com. Ldrs: Beth & Keith Martin, Ginny Heringer, Pat Pitkin

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Outings continued from page 12Oct 1 ThuO: Thu Moderate Hikers / La Jolla Valley: Moderately paced 8-9 mile hike with ocean views, open grasslands and wildflowers. We’ll observe how this gorgeous location in the Santa Monica Mts is recovering from fire damage after it burned in May 2013. Meet 8 AM near the Ray Miller Trailhead kiosk (in parking lot), which is used to access La Jolla Valley. From Pacific Coast Hwy and Malibu Canyon Road go northwest on PCH about 20.8 mi. to La Jolla Val-ley / Pt. Mugu State Park Campground entrance (about 1 1/2 miles northwest of Big Sycamore Canyon entrance). Bring 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen, wind-breaker, $ for parking lot or park on PCH & walk in. Rain cancels. Leaders: Diane DeMarco, Doug Demers.

Oct 6 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Placerita Canyon State Park: Moderately paced 4 mile, 400’ gain hike through Placerita Canyon Park with shaded oak groves and a willow and sycamore-lined seasonal stream to Walker Ranch. Meet 8:30 AM at Placerita Nature Center parking lot. From Hwy 14 in Newhall take Placerita Cyn Rd exit and turn right (east) 1 miles to park entrance. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Pixie Klemic. Asst: Ken Broomfield.

Oct 8 ThuO: Thu Moderate Hikers / Three Parks in Northern San Fernando Valley: Moderately paced hike in Aliso Can-yon Park, Limekiln Canyon Park, and Tampa/Wilbur Park. Meet 8 AM on north side of Rinaldi St 1/2 mile east of Reseda Blvd in newly renovated Aliso Canyon Park. Water and restrooms are available. Bring water and snacks, clothing appropriate for the weather, comfortable walking shoes or boots, shade hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leaders: George & Fran Denny.

Oct 13 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Las Virgenes Canyon: Moderately paced 6 mile, 800’ gain hike on picturesque trail and along a seasonal stream among the beautiful grasslands of Simi Hills. Meet 8:30 AM at trailhead kiosk. From 101 Ventura Fwy take Las Virgenes Rd exit north 1+ mile to end, street parking. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Pixie Klemic. Asst: Marcia Harris.

Oct 15 ThuO: Thu Moderate Hikers / Pico Canyon: Moderately paced 8 mile round trip, 1600’ gain hike through historic Men-tryville with ruins of California Star Oil #4 and great views of the Santa Clarita Valley. Meet at 8 AMat trailhead (from Interstate 5 take Lyons Ave west. It will become Pico Can-yon, continue on Pico Canyon until it ends at dirt parking area right before green entry gate and park outside gate. Leader: Mimi Knights. Asst: Reaven Gately.

Oct 20 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / De Anza Park to Lib-erty Canyon: Moderately paced 6 mile, 800’ gain. The trail follows Las Virgenes Creek to the Talapop Trail overlooking Liberty Canyon to see an old adobe in Malibu Creek State Park. Lots of trees, views of the mountains and interest-ing plants. Meet 8:30 AM at De Anza Park, Calabasas. Exit 101 Fwy at Lost Hills Rd., turn south. (Left if coming from the Valley) Proceed 1 mile to parking lot on the right in De Anza Park. Bring water, snack, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Dotty Sanford. Asst: Pixie Klemic.

Oct 22 ThuO: Thu Moderate Hikers / Upper Zuma Canyon Backbone Trail, Zuma Ridge Rd: Moderately paced 8 mile, 1400’ gain hike on scenic trail through lovely canyon, then on fire road with great mountain and ocean views, to Buzzard’s Roost. Meet 8:30 AM Newton Canyon Trailhead. From 101 Ventu-ra Fwy take Kanan Rd exit, go south on Kanan Rd to paved trailhead parking area on west side just north of Tunnel 1 (3rd tunnel from 101 about 1 3/4 miles past Mulholland Hwy). Bring 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Ted Mattock. Asst: Nancy Krupa.

Oct 27 TueO: Tue Moderate easy pace Hikers / Weldon Overlook to East Canyon - Santa Clarita Woodlands: Moderately paced 6 mile, 800’ gain/1200’ loss hike. Hike up lovely trail to the Weldon Canyon Overlook with views of Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys, then pass BFI planted oaks as a condition of landfill expansion and drop down into East Canyon through native oaks, black walnut and relic fir trees. Meet 8:00 AM East Canyon trailhead, Newhall. Take the Calgrove exit from Interstate 5, turn west under the freeway and take the Old Road south about 1 mile to parking entrance after church on right, and continue past trailhead sign to parking area. Short car shuttle to start. Fee parking lot. 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leader: Reaven Gately. Asst: Pixie Klemic.

Oct 29 ThuO: Thu Moderate Hikers / Wilson Canyon: Moderately paced 10 mile, 1600’ gain hike from Santa Monica Mts Conservancy park with magnificent oak area, to Wilson Saddle with great San Fernando valley views. Meet 8:30 AM at Wilson Canyon trailhead (from the Golden State/I-5 Freeway in Sylmar take Roxford St, exit 159, north past the 210 Freeway, bend right to Olive View Drive, continue past the main hospital and the four-way stop at Bledsoe Street to park entrance road located approximately 200 yards east of Bledsoe, just before Fenton Avenue, pay $5 parking fee near entrance, then proceed to trailhead parking at northwest terminus of entry road). Bring $5 for parking, 2 qts water, lunch, lugsoles, hat, sunscreen. Rain cancels. Leaders: Rosemary Campbell, Reaven Gately.

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