Cold Creek Preserve

Sunday July 31 Cold Creek Preserve

Easy pace moderate 6 mile photo hike, 1200 feet elevation gain.

We will be entering an area that is only accessible by reservation and with special permission of the Mountains Restoration Trust!

The Cold Creek Watershed is made up of steep slopes, high ridges, and incredible rock formations. Nestled steeply behind Saddle Peak (El. 2400’), its north-facing slopes are cool and shady. The headwaters of Cold Creek spring out of the ground year-round providing a reliable source of cool, fresh water for the animal populations. Spring comes late to north-facing slopes and there is often a fascinating display of flowers blooming well into October.

Cold Creek is home to a number of unique plants and animals. Locally-rare plant species include Plummer’s Baccharis, Deergrass, Stream Orchid, Yellow-throated Phacelia, Big-leaf Maple, Red Shank and Humboldt Lily. A number of species that are indicated as “threatened” on the endangered species list also call Cold Creek home. These animals are the Cooper’s hawk, mountain quail, yellow warbler, prairie falcon, golden eagle, horned lizard, coastal western whiptail, silvery legless lizard, patch-nosed snake, ring-necked snake, San Diego mountain king snake, two-striped garter snake, desert wood rat, ringtail and three bat species.

Bring 2 quarts water, lunch, snacks, hat, sunscreen and bug spray, appropriate footwear WITH TREAD. Sorry NO dogs on this trail.

Meet at Towsley at 7:00 for 7:15 departure or meet at trailhead at 8:00

Directions to Trailhead:

From 101 Ventura Fwy take Valley Cir/Mulholland Dr exit S, Go 1/2 mile and turn R on Valmar Rd (becomes Old Topanga Cyn Rd), R on Mulholland Hwy (T-intersection) for 3½ mi, L on Stunt Rd for 1 mi, park on dirt shoulder on R.

Leader: Jerry