November 16 – Slide Mountain

Today we are hiking to the top of Slide Mountain through a burn area. This is 12  miles round trip on a steep trail. We will hike to the fire lookout on the top of the mountain. There are incredible views of Lake Pyramid and Lake Piru. You will also see a 360 degree view from the top. This is a tough hike, and beginners are not advised to try the entire trail. If you are beginning, it is suggested that you try the first couple of miles, then return to your vehicles. Adventure passes are required for parking in the Angeles National Forest.

MEET: We will meet at the outside gate of Towsley Canyon at 8:15 for an 8:30 departure to the trail head. We will be carpooling to the trailhead above Castaic on I-5, about 20 minutes away.

Bring lunch, snacks, more water than you think you will need (3 liters is recommended, poles, and hiking boots with good tread.  The hike leader will turn hikers away if you do not have appropriate footgear.

To meet at the trail head:  Go north on I-5, exit Templin Hwy, turn left. Go under the freeway, and turn right. Follow this road until it ends at a white forest service gate. Park.  Display your Adventure Pass in your windshield. Meet us at the gate at 8:55 (approx)

RATED: Difficult (Easy/moderate hikers are encouraged to try the first few miles)

Leader: Steve

Sunday, November 17 – Nature Series: Bears

The Community Hiking Club and Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates and County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation present

The Urban Black Bear

The Community Hiking Club, Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates and Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to present “The Urban Black Bear” as the November Community Nature Series presentation.

American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) are captured throughout the summer in photos and video roaming through neighborhoods and down trash lined streets and are often the lead story on the nightly news.  This is the urban black bear, bears that are second and third generation who have been born and raised within city limits.  These opportunistic creatures are mastering the technique of “Living with Humans”.

Kim Bosell spent 3 years with California Department of Fish and Game as a Scientific Aide on an urban bear study which trapped and radio-collared trash bears to determine how much time the bears where spending in urban areas,  what they were eating and where they were sleeping while there.  Later she worked for the City of Monrovia Parks and Police Departments handling all Black Bear and Mountain Lion calls and running a Bear-Be-Gone Program for 5 years.

Come out and learn about bear behavior and what you need to know if you encounter a bear or find that you have more than skunks living under your house.

2:00 in the Classroom at Placerita. Bring the kids, too.

Directions to Placerita: From the I-5 freeway, take the SR-14 North. Exit at Placerita Canyon Road. Turn right. Go approximately 2 miles. You will see a wooden sign that says “Placerita Natural Area”. Turn right into this drive way. Follow this road all the way to the building. Park. The classroom is in the building. Please be prompt. There is limited seating.

Sunday, November 17 – Fall Colors hike to Big Sycamore Canyon

This hike will be a fast-paced 10 mile loop, with approximately 1,200-ft gain, through Serrano and Big Sycamore Cyns. Big Sycamore Cyn was listed in the Sept 2011 issue of Sunset magazine as one of the 10 best places in the western US to see fall colors in Oct and Nov. Monarch Butterflies are also present in a grove of trees here during this time. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. Serrano Cyn contains poison oak, so long pants are recommended. The trail is part of Pt Mugu State Park, and there is a day use fee of $12 for parking, unless you choose to park along PCH, and walk into the park. Also, as it is a State Park, dogs are prohibited.

Bring your camera, lunch, lots of water, and poles if you have them. Wear boots with good tread.

To carpool, meet the leader at Towsley Cyn at 6:30 for a 6:45 AM departure.

If you wish to meet the leader at the trailhead at 8:15AM in the day use parking area of Sycamore Canyon Campground, directions are below.

Directions to the trail head: From the south, drive north on PCH from Malibu to Big Sycamore Canyon campground, or from the north, take the 101 Fwy to Camarillo. Exit S. Las Posas Rd (near the outlet stores). Follow Las Posas Rd to PCH. Go South on PCH. Pass Pt Mugu Rock and continue for apx 4 miles and turn left onto the road to Sycamore Canyon Campground (Thornhille Broome State Beach is on the right, and Google shows this turn as Big Sycamore Canyon Rd). Go past the entrance booth, and turn left immediately to find the day use parking area. If you start driving through the campground, you have gone too far.

Leader – Nikki

RATED: Strenuous and fast paced; for advanced hikers ONLY.