Malibu Grotto & Sandstone Peak

Saturday, May 9, 2015 - Malibu Grotto & then Sandstone Peak

NOTE: You can do Hike 1 only, or after you return to the parking lot from the Grotto, you can continue on with, or leave the group, for Hike 2 - your choice.

Hike 1: Grotto

Distance: 7 miles

Gain: 980 ft

Hiking Time: ~ 4 hours

Rating: Moderate

Hike will start at the Sandstone Peak Trailhead parking lot on the Canyon View Trail that connects with the Grotto Trail. We will traverse hillsides eventually leading down to the west fork of the Arroyo Sequit. Then it is an uphill return to the parking lot starting point.

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Hike 2: Sandstone Peak

Distance: 2 1/2 miles

Gain: 1081 ft

Hiking Time: ~ 3 hours

Rating: Moderate +

Hike starts again at the Sandstone Peak Trailhead parking lot and takes in views of the Conejo and San Fernando Valleys, as well as the Pacific Coast. Sandstone Peak is the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains at 3111 feet.

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Meet your Leader at Towsley Canyon to Carpool, or at the Trailhead.

Carpooling from Santa Clarita Valley:

Meet at Towsley Canyon (24255 The Old Road, Newhall, CA) outside the gate in the Parking lot at 6:45AM. We will leave at 7:00AM sharp.

Alternatively, you can meet at the Sandstone Peak trailhead parking lot at 08:00 AM, for an 08:15 AM SHARP departure.

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 Towsley Carpool carpooling spot:

From Valencia, take the I-5 South to the Calgrove exit. Exit, turn right. Go through the signal and immediately turn right into the driveway for Towsley Canyon but park OUTSIDE the gate. Look for club members and leader here.

Directions to Sandstone Peak Trailhead Parking Lot:

From Santa Clarita take the I-5 South and merge onto I-405 S, merge onto US-101 N, Take exit 36 toward Kanan Rd, Turn left onto Kanan Rd 6.2 mi, Turn right onto Mulholland Hwy 1mi, Continue on Encinal Canyon Rd 3.4 mi, Turn right onto Lechusa Rd .1 mi, Turn right onto Decker Canyon Rd (CA-23) .8 mi,Turn left onto Mulholland Hwy .4 mi, turn right onto Little Sycamore Canyon Rd 1.5 mi, turn slightly left onto Yerba Buena Rd 3.1 mi. Look for the parking lot on the right side.

BRING: Hiking poles, if you have them, an extra layer in case it gets hot/cold, lunch/snack, electrolytes, a camera, hat and sunscreen. 2L of Water for Hike 1 (Grotto), and 2L for Hike 2 (Sandstone Peak).

Adventure Pass: Not required, parking is free

Dogs: Ok, if on a leash and well behaved around other dogs and people with hiking poles.

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Leader: George

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