Bear Divide/Camp9 (Modr8+Short); Wilson Sdl/Manzanita/Whi​t­­n​ey Cyn (Difficult

Saturday October 24, 2015 - Hike Options: Bear Divide to Camp 9 (4 miles) or add Wilson Saddle/Manzanita Trail/ back to Whi​tn​ey Cyn (9 miles total)

Options:

(Moderate - Quick hike) - carpool to the Bear Divide trailhead with us, hike the first part (a tough 2 mile butt kick with about 1100' gain) to Camp 9 and then you can go back down the same trail or an asphalt service road to your car at the Bear Divide picnic area (i.e. 4 miles RT). NOTE: Although this is only 4 miles we DO NOT RATE THIS AS EASY (due to the 1100'gain in a short distance). If you are not in good shape, you will have issues!

(More Difficult hike) - hikers looking for more miles will continue from Camp 9 to Wilson Saddle, down Manzanita and back to Whitney Canyon, clocking another 7 miles (i.e. 9 miles total).

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/2/7/2/600_283005682.jpeg

Description:

We will meet first at the Park and Ride at Whitney Canyon to arrange carpools to the Bear Divide Picnic area (Sand Cyn/ Little Tijunga Rd). Please do not go straight to the trailhead.

First we climb 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, passing Placerita Canyon, and the Disney Ranch along the way.

If clear, both hikes should have spectacular views of the San Gabriel Mountains, the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/f/5/2/600_418664882.jpeg

Carpool shuttle to Bear Divide 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 (the 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 Whitney Park and Ride and carpool shuttle to the trailhead at Bear Divide picnic area. Those who want to hike just the 4 Mile Moderate Quick hike should help by driving the "longer hikers" to the trailhead. The logic here is - both the short and long hikers will then arrive back at their cars at the end of their hikes (with little or no further carpooling/ car retrieval needed). We will sort out the math at Whitney Park and Ride!

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. Then 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, camera, lunch/ snacks, hiking poles (helpful on the climb up to Camp 9 and down Manzanita trail to Whitney). Wear layered clothing in case it gets hot or cold and good boots with lots of tread, especially if doing the longer hike as there will be plenty of steep downhills.

Adventure Pass: Not required.

Dogs Allowed? Yes, on leash but consider the length of your hike before deciding to bring your dog.

Leader: Steve i

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/2/7/c/600_410985692.jpeg