Horn Canyon, Ojai

Sunday, March 14 - Horn Canyon, Ojai

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/3/e/d/600_435017389.jpeg

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/3/c/9/600_435017353.jpeg

Description:

This is a beautiful out and back hike that starts out by following Thatcher Creek. We look down on the Krishnamurti Foundation in Ojai. Horn Canyon was reportedly one of Krishnamurti's favorite walks. He sometimes told the tale of how in his younger days he befriended a mountain lion along this trail.

We will see old growth chaparral, and when we reach the campsite, which will be our first stop, you will enjoy a large grouping of Stone Pine. The views from here are spectacular - Ojai, the ocean, and Topa Topa mountain.

If you are afraid of the gain, you can stop at the campground, which would be about 1400’ gain, and complete a RT hike of 6 miles.

Bring:

Camera, hiking poles, shoes with good tread, lunch, snacks, LOTS of water/ electrolytes, a hat and sunscreen.

Wear:

Long pants as some brush overhangs the trail, and a hat as there is not much shade on the trail. An extra outer layer in case it is chilly at first (you can always leave it in the car).

Gain/ Mileage: 2200’,10 Miles RT

Rated: Moderate ++

Carpooling to trail head:

Meet at Walmart parking lot on Kelly Johnson PKWY in Valencia at the southwest corner at 6:45 AM for a 7:00 AM SHARP departure to the trailhead. We prefer that you carpool, as parking at the trailhead can be a problem, and finding the trailhead is difficult.

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

If you insist, you can drive to the trail head, following the directions below. If you cannot find the trailhead, please park in the first parking lot at the Thatcher School and watch for the hikers to pass you by, then you can follow them to the trail head. If there is no parking at the trail head, you can park in the school parking lot and walk the distance into the trail head. (PLEASE CONSIDER CARPOOLING)

Meet:

At the trail head at 8:00 AM for an 8:15AM SHARP departure up the trail.

Directions to trail head:

Take the I-5 North to the 126 West. From the 126, Exit onto Hwy 150 to Ojai (in Santa Paula). In Ojai, turn right onto Reeves Road. (Bocalli’s Restaurant is on this corner). Turn left on McAndrew Road. Follow the signs to Thatcher School. As you enter the school grounds, look for signs to the Gymkhana Field. On the left, you will see a white gate and a fire road. There is parking here for only a few vehicles. This is where we will meet, this is the trail head. (You will not see the trail head sign as it is hidden by some Orange trees. There is also an Andy Gump here at the trail head. (It will be behind you if you are looking at the access gate).

Leader: Dave

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/e/c/0/600_149407872.jpeg