First Mountain of Summer Hikes: Chantry Flat-Mt.Wilson (Level 3+: Strenuous)

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/8/f/6/event_18175542.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/0/4/600_360376132.jpeg

This is an "Out of OC Hike" in the San Gabriel Mountains. The first in a series of a mountain a month hike in the Spring/Summer around Southern California, besides the nice scenic, it is best as a workout that is for fit regular conditioning hikers. Please know your limit, RSVP to the waiting list and reply clearly to questions when RSVP, so it will help us to know you better in case we haven't met or hiked together before. Hikers will join the organizer for a workout; there is no leader or sweeper on this hike.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/8/0/b/event_30270731.jpeg

General Rating/Difficulty: Level 3+ STRENUOUS, moderate-fast pace, for distance, elevation and speed; Click RATING TABLE (http://files.meetup.com/1554500/RATING%20TABLE.pdf) to read more about difficulty levels.

Duration/Distance/Elevation/Speed: 5-6 hours, 15 miles, 4400ft gain, moderate-fast, 2.5 to 3 mph average.

Terrain and Altitude will apply to this hike: dirt, gravel, loose rocks and crossing stream, going from 2000ft to 5700ft (some hikers may have altitude sickness)

Trailhead: meet near lower restroom at Chantry Flat in the San Gabriel Mountains

Trailhead time: 6:30 - 6:45 (early for parking, the trailhead is about 60 miles one way from Irvine)

Hiking time: 6:50 AM

Adventure Pass: is required to park your car at the trailhead (carpool is recommended). You can purchase the pass at the trailhead or at any sport store near you.

What to bring: 10 hiking Essentials (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234); wear hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bring water, snacks and a light lunch. There is warning about poison oak on the trails

Other info:
•Topo map of trails: http://www.adamspacks... (http://www.adamspackstation.com/BSACMap.html)
•Current weather conditions on Mt Wilson: http://www.findlocalw... (http://www.findlocalweather.com/forecast.php?config=&forecast=zandh&pands=mt+wilson%2C+ca)
•Mt. Wilson webcam: http://www.astro.ucla... (http://www.astro.ucla.edu/%7Eobs/towercam.htm)
*** Trails from Chandry Flat (http://tchester.org/sgm/trails/chantry_flat.html)
***Trail Description to Sturtevant Falls (http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/sturtevant.html)

Photos from previous years:

1. May 2014 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/21708832/366463582/)

2. May 2013 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/14704442/232651422/)

3. May 2012 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/8188962/)

4. May 2011 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/1565081/30270731/?title=a+great+shot+of+photgrapher+Mai...love+Chantry+Flat%2C+Mt.+Wilson+and+the+Winter+Creek+trails)

5. May 2010 photos (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/932600/15289817/)

ABOUT THIS HIKE: There will be a little bit of stream crossings and some boulder hopping, but you should be able to manage to keep your feet dry, the route to Mt. Wilson loop to Gabrielino Trail and down upper Winter Creek

Mount Wilson is one of the better known peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains, part of the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, California. It is the location of the Mount Wilson Observatory and has become the astronomical center of Southern California with 60-inch (1,524 mm) and 100-inch (2,540 mm) telescopes, and 60-foot (18.3 m) and 150-foot (45.7 m) tall solar towers. The summit is at 5,710 feet (1,740 m).

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From Interstate From the Foothill Freeway (I-210) in Arcadia, take the Santa Anita Avenue exit and drive north to Chantry Flat, 4.6 miles

For those who want to Carpool: meet to leave 5:30-5:35AM

Suggested carpool meetup spot is at the Park-n-Ride in Orange off the 55N Lincoln/Nohl Ranch exit. Park-n-Ride entrance is on Tustin, across from Von's parking lot.

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

Chantry Flat on Google Map: http://maps.google.co... (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?geocode=FSAW_gEd4kf9-CkJNXy-cvTcgDERxWm-eq5LmA%3BFczLCQIdPRz3-A&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=19&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107737017548218126486.00048637442ef04829152&z=19&iwloc=00048637482ead74da4d5)

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

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, mountain lions, coyote, snake bites 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

> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.

> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/5/8/6/600_97153702.jpeg

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/f/b/7/600_27537271.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/5/9/d/600_27538781.jpeg