Bear Divide & Camp9 (Moder8); add Wilson Sdl/Manzanita/Whi​tn​ey Cyn (Difficult)

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We meet first at the Park and Ride at Whitney Canyon to arrange carpools to the Bear Divide Picnic area (Sand Cyn/ Little Tijunga Rd). Then we go 2 miles up up up the trail on the shady North side to the Wildland Fire Fighting Station "Camp 9" at the summit. We pass through the Fire Station (which is an old Nike missile barracks), get some water and our breath back before heading West along fire road 3N17 (slight decline). We grab a snack/lunch/ and a bathroom break at Wilson Saddle. Then it's over to, and down down down Manzanita to the Viper Trail and back over to Whitney Canyon and the Park and Ride, with views of the Disney Ranch along the way.

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Options:

Moderate hike - carpool to the Bear Divide trail head with us, hike the first part (2 miles up hill with about 1200' gain) to Camp 9 and then you can go back down the same trail to your car at the Bear Divide picnic area (i.e. 4 miles RT). Those individuals wanting to do this and cut their hike short, should volunteer to drive others going the full 9 miles.

More Difficult hike - hikers looking for more miles will proceed on from Camp 9 for another 7 miles (i.e. 9 miles one way).

On both hikes you get spectacular views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.

Carpool shuttle to Trailhead from Santa Clarita Valley:

MEET at the Park and Ride at Whitney Canyon at 7:15AM for a 7:30AM SHARP departure. Get there early as this area is often used by high school running teams, and they can take all the parking. If this happens, there is an adjacent MRCA parking lot (fee to park is $5.00, so be prepared for that, as a ticket is more expensive).

!!We will leave most of the vehicles at the Park and Ride and carpool shuttle to the trailhead at Bear Divide picnic area. Those individuals wanting to cut their hike short should volunteer to drive others to Bear Divide trail head.

(Please be respectful of your driver's support by contributing something at the end of your carpool to help defray the cost of gas - THX).

Directions to Whitney Park And Ride meeting point:

From Valencia, head south on the I-5. Then take the SR-14 North to the first exit, Newhall Avenue. Exit. Take the right exit; when the exit divides. Turn right at the stop sign and look for Parked cars close to SR-14.

Bring: Water (3 liters is recommended), electrolytes if it is a hot day, sunscreen, hat, lunch/ snacks, hiking poles (helpful on the climb up to Camp 9), and a camera. Wear layered clothing in case it gets hot or cold. Wear good boots with lots of tread.

Adventure Pass: Not required.

Dogs Allowed? Yes, on leash but consider the length of the hike when deciding.

Rated: Difficult (Moderate for the shorter version)

Leader: Steve

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