Name: July 4th Celebration: Hike and Picnic Crystal Lake (All Levels Easy- Strenuous)
Start: 2011-07-04T10:00:00-07:00
End: 2011-07-04T13:00:00-07:00
Location: Crystal Lake

REMINDER : ***By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings*** > YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS. > YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, snake bites, coyotes, mountain lions or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike*** http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/a/6/5/event_30743141.jpeg

What to bring : Food for picnic if you plan to have easy hikes and picnic with family and friends. Bring a light lunch, plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat if you plan to join strenuous hike. 10 Hiking Essentials: http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234

Adventure Pass : Required at the trailhead

Highlights : San Gabriel River - Mountain

Scenery: Lovely stream, cascades, shear granite walls, and evergreens

Near: Azusa, CA
Distance: 2- 10 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 200-3000+ft
Duration: 2-7 hours hiking time!
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate-Strenuous
Trail Condition: okay w few difficult spots and crossing the river
Picnic (optional): from noon to 2PM.

Departure time :

6:45AM-7:00 AM (at the trailhead TBD) Hiking time at 7AM: for those who plan to hike 10+ miles (Mt. Islip and Mt. Hawkins-exploratory and I won't be with you the entire time) Carpool is highly recommended, we'll leave Orange Park and Ride 6:00AM driving to the trailhead. Early start avoiding the summer heat 10:00AM at Crystal Lake Parkings for those who come for easy hikes and picnic. About Crystal Lake : Crystal Lake Recreation Area is part of the San Gabriel River (formerly Mount Baldy) District of The Angeles National Forest in California, USA. It consists of a lake, a public campground, and Deer Flats, a group campground. It is located approximately 26 miles (42 km) north on Hwy. 39 heading out of Azusa, California at the headwaters of the North Fork of the San Gabriel River at an elevation approximately 5,200 feet (1585 m) above sea level. In March 2011, Highway 39 was reopened to Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake is a naturally formed lake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake), a rarity in Southern California. It is snow and spring fed and has no other artificial means of being replenished. Geographically it sits in a bed of decomposed granite and a fissure at its bottom depletes its water during and after the rain and snow season. Because of this its depths vary dramatically from a mean low of 35 feet (10.7 m) to a probable high of 150 feet (45.7 m), depending on seasonal precipitation.

The Lake is settled neatly in a bowl below the granite crags surrounding Mount Hawkins. In its past it had amenities for picnickers, anglers, and swimmers. But in 1969 a severe rainy season flooded the privies on the shore line and the water became contaminated to the point that the swimming facilities were closed. Subsequent rainy seasons flooded the small cabin that served as a summer residence for concessionaires who operated a snack stand from the lower level and patio. By 1990 the facility was demolished.

Over the past four decades, budgeting has limited the Forest Service's ability to maintain the lake and its feeder pipeline. Then years of drought reduced the lake’s water levels which continued micro biological contamination of the water, putting it off limits to any type of swimming at all.

Following a good rainy season, the lake may be stocked with fish, typically rainbow trout from the government hatcheries. Despite high or low water levels, flocks of people line the lake to fish each summer. In the past the concessionaires provided boat rentals from a small dock that was attached to cables that ran onto shore. The dock could be raised and lowered during the year with the varying levels of the water. It was removed after the 1969 rains

More History of Crystal Lake: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Lake_Recreation_Area

DIRECTION : From Interstate 10 or the 210 freeway, exit on Azusa and head north about 26 miles or meet at the Ranger Station (3 miles north from the 210 Frwy) at 6:45AM to caravan in. The scenic drive to the lake up on the mountain is gorgeous and about 22 miles.

More info for Orange Park and Ride : http://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9270810 ***Park & Ride in Orange on N Tustin St and E Lincoln Ave Orange, CA 92865*** Traveling NORTH on the 55, exit Lincoln Ave. West. Make 2 lefts, go under the freeway and take a left onto Tustin Ave. heading South. If you're traveling SOUTH on the 55, exit Lincoln and make a left on Tustin. The Park & Ride will be on your left hand side. You'll need to make a U-Turn to get to this side of the street

or another location to meet is in AZUSA (on the way to the mountain road, a Mexican restaurant, I'm not sure about parking lot there, but it's nearby a shopping center) http://latoltecaazusa.com/location.html (indicate if you meet there) 429 N. Azusa Ave Azusa Ca. 91702

Lily NP-HikingOC 

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July 4th Celebration: Hike and Picnic Crystal Lake (All Levels Easy- Strenuous)

Crystal Lake

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HikingOC (Meet to Hike in Orange County & Travel the World)

July 4th Celebration: Hike and Picnic Crystal Lake (All Levels Easy- Strenuous)

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