Sycamore Canyon Thompson Creek Loop Hike

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Need to condition for a weekend hike but don't want to do anything gnarly? Let's take a hike and get some Taco Tuesday conditioning on the Sycamore Canyon Thompson Creek Loop. This is a cool little hike with great views of the Claremont area that combines steep uphill hiking on a regular hiking trail with a more leisurely descent down a wide, but somewhat slippery fire road.

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Hike Details

We'll start the hike at the Thompson Creek Trail parking lot located at 2471 N. Indian Hill Blvd in Claremont, follow the Thompson Creek Trail to Higginbotham Park where we will cross through the gate into Sycamore Canyon. From there, we'll hike up the steep Sycamore Canyon Trail to the East Pomello Drive fire road where we will hook a right and hike back down to the Thompson Creek Trail. We'll then make a right and take the Thompson Creek Trail westward back to our starting point.

I describe the entire hike in detail on the Lazy Ass Hiking blog post titled the Claremont Hills Sycamore Canyon Loop Trail (http://www.lazy-ass-hiking.com/sycamore-canyon-loop-hike-description/), but here's the hike stats you need to know based on our previous hikes:

Mileage: 3.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 578 feet
Duration: 1.25 - 1.50 hours
Average Speed: 2.0 mph

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** Note, this is a dog friendly hike. Feel free to bring your leashed, socialized, furry friend!

NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO PLUS ONES FOR THIS HIKE. EVERYONE MUST SIGN UP ON THEIR OWN AND BE A MEMBER OF LAZY ASS HIKING.

DIRECTIONS: From the east, take the 210 West and exit Baseline Road. Go west (right) and head down Baseline to Indian Hill Blvd. Go north (right) on Indian Hill and follow to the parking lot on your left at 2471 N. Indian Hill Blvd., just past La Puerta Sports Park.

**** Parking is free, no wilderness pass needed****

From the west, take the 210 East and exit Baseline Road. Go west (left) and head down Baseline to Indian Hill and go north. (right) The directions are now the same as from the east.

DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous depending on your fitness level. The trail starts out with a hefty climb and then goes downhill on a relatively flat path.

WHAT TO BRING: 1 - 1 1/2 liters of water, sunhat, sunscreen, trail shoes.

RESTROOMS: There are restrooms at Higginbotham Park located just to the west of the Sycamore Canyon entrance gate.

HEAVY RAIN OR STORMY WEATHER CANCELS THIS HIKE. PLEASE CHECK MEET UP SITE 24 HOURS BEFORE AND JUST PRIOR TO LEAVING IN THE MORNING FOR UPDATES.

WAIVER OF LIABILITY, DISCLAIMER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK: PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR THIS EVENT

These organizers are not professional hikers or trained leaders and are not medically trained to handle emergencies. Please carry a personal medical emergency kit and any medications you need. Hiking is an inherently dangerous activity that can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to slip and fall injuries, fractures, rattlesnake bite, heat exhaustion, poison oak, ticks and frostbite. By participation in this event/hike you agree to not hold these organizers liable for any harm that may come to you, your guests, or your property. Always remember to let the event organizer know if you are leaving the group. Stay on the trail, never hike alone and use your own common sense.