Halloween Special: Mt. Waterman and Cooper Canyon Falls (Intermediate Plus)

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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, 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***

A mountain mountain hike to greet Halloween...

This is a strenuous hike and fit regular intermediate plus-advanced hikers with recent training on the prep hikes. It's intended due to the pace, distance, altitude and elevation gain, besides the unknown factors as this is also an exploratory. Know your limits!

NOTES : I'm not playing favorites, but I need to know that you are up to the challenge of this strenuous hike so that everyone has a good experience. If I don't know you or haven't hiked with you before, I may ask you not to pick this as a first hike to try. I'll slow down as the last one, if you are slower than me, this is not your hike! Please note you will have to turn back alone the same way you go up if you can't keep the group pace!

DEPARTURE TIME

OC Park n Ride: 6:00AM (it's cooler weather in the mountains 50-60s, so please dress layers) Sport Chalet: 7AM carpool or caravan (Foothill Blvd and 2 Hwy, 975 Foothill Blvd LA Canada Fltrdg, CA 91011 http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/229774/la_canada_fltrdg_ca/sport_chalet.html#profileTab-maps ) Trailhead: 8:00 AM meet and hike Carpooling is recommended, and a National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking

Route: start from Buckhorn trailhead to Twin Peaks and go back stop by Mt. Waterman

1. More info : http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TwinPeaks_4472.asp and http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/guides/14a.htm

2. Cooper Canyon Falls: out and back 3 miles from Buckhorn Campground

DISTANCE: 13+/-miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 4500+-ft

Duration: 6-8 hours hiking time!

GOOD TO KNOW Wear good traction hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bring plenty of water, snacks, a light lunch and Ten Essentials https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234

ABOUT THE HIKING TRAIL:

1. Mt. Waterman and Twin Peak: Twin Peaks (7,596 feet and 7761ft) offers up some of the very best views in the San Gabriel Mountains and the round summit of Mt. Waterman (8036ft) offers boulders to climb and views to enjoy. We are passing through a sylvan mixed forest of Incense Cedars and Jeffrey Pines

2. Cooper Canyon Falls: This is a down and up hike so be prepared for the return, but it is extremely rewarding when you appreciate the extreme diversity you encounter on every twist and turn of the trail. Just about every San Gabriel Mountain ecosystem can be seen in this short three and a half mile hike. From wild roses and ferns moist from underground streams to high country Limber Pine groves at relatively lower than expected elevations…

CARPOOL LOCATION: we will leave the Park and Ride at 7:00AM

More info for Orange Park and Ride: https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boa... (https://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

Driving Direction: From the 210 FWY take the Angeles Crest Highway east to Buckhorn Campground approximately 34 miles to mile marker 58.0. The Mt. Waterman trail starts on the south side of Angeles Crest Highway opposite the Buckhorn trailhead. The trail can be a little difficult to find at first. Walk about 30 feet up the fire road and pick up the trail to the left which parallels the highway for a short distance and begins to ascend the forested slope. (Lat:34.34407 Lon:-117.92105)