Dillon Divide to Dutch Louie Flats

“It’s the journey, not the destination” http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/3/a/f/event_44373711.jpeg nicely sums up our hike this Saturday. . . our better-late-than-never first trip into pretty Pacoima Canyon in the Angeles National Forest. This will also give those of you interested in the Bridge to Nowhere a baby feel for that hike . . . though it’s shorter, the creek crossings are considerably more shallow, and, well, there’s no bridge or bungee jumping at the midpoint.

But there are also no crowds, either. No bridge, but some enchanting cairns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn) carefully placed all along the way by some earlier hiking angels.

This is all about the creek crossings, and looking up at the stripey canyon walls toward Mendenhall Ridge (a future destination) as we make our way to where a prospector named Dutch Louie discovered gold at the turn of the 20th century. The open, rocky turnaround point isn’t breathtaking, but you’ll love the route to get there. We’ll break under a lone oak tree before heading back the way we came.

Total length: about 7 miles with an 800-ft. elevation gain, probably 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Advanced beginner to moderate in sections.

We’ll be in the shade hiking down the canyon but mostly exposed once we’re at the bottom and enroute back. We’ll ford the creek 8-to-10 times each way (no bridges), so you might want to wear some lightweight tennis shoes and bring a dry pair of shoes/socks for the drive home. Sturdy hiking/water sandals may be an option if you’ve used them before for hikes of this length, but know that there’s a bit of rock hopping and brush along the trail.

Bring the usual: hat, water, sunscreen, snacks to share. Restrooms and water are available at the Hansen Dam lot but not at the trailhead. Dogs welcome on leash.

If you have time after the hike, check out Hansen Dam Recreation Center (http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=75) before heading home.

Also, the historic Wildlife Waystation (http://wildlifewaystation.org/) wild animal sanctuary is about two miles before the trailhead. It has a very sophisticated volunteer program for anyone interested in wildlife care.

DIRECTIONS

Since parking at the trailhead is extremely limited, we’ll meet to carpool in the parking lot of Hansen Dam & Recreation Center promptly at 7 am. Leave early enough to arrive on time since driving by yourself to the trailhead isn’t an option. It’s about 8 miles/20 minutes to the trailhead and there’s no cell service in the Canyon. We’ll warm up at the trailhead and try to get started by 7:30 am. We should be back to the parking lot by 11:30 am.

The closest address for the parking lot is for the Hansen Dam Maintenance Facility (above) but the turn for the lot is south of that facility, on the south side of Foothill Blvd. between the 210 Freeway and Gladstone Ave.

From the 210 Freeway, exit at Foothill in Sylmar. Turn South on Foothill and then left into the parking lot (there’ll be signs flanking the entrance and the entire paved portion of the lot is rimmed by large stones).

Note if you’re driving North on the 5, the Osborne exit is closed for construction, so you need to exit at Branford St., then turn left at Laurel Canyon Blvd. to Osborne; turn right on Osborne and then right again on Foothill Blvd.

As you enter the lot, drive straight in, then take any right and park in the paved section of the lot vs. the dirt section to your left. Look at this map (http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.273376,-118.382883&spn=0.002203,0.004823&t=f&z=18&ecpose=34.27093282,-118.38288332,597.78,0,44.997,0&lci=com.panoramio.all) carefully since Hansen Dam is a large park, and we’re not meeting at the Aquatic Center or the entrance off Osborne St. When looking at the link in satellite or Earth view, the 210 freeway is on the upper right corner; the red restroom building is near the center bottom.

If you RSVP and then decide not to come, please call or text me early Saturday so we know to not wait for you.

Shawn’s mobile: 213/308-7372

******************************************************************************

Unrelated to this hike, I posted the August newsletter for Angeles National Forest volunteers in the Files folder (under the More tab at the top). It’s a great resource for hikers that shows the great variety of trails and activities available in the ANF. . . particularly for anyone interested in volunteering. Past issues (http://www.mtlowe.net/VolunteerNews.htm) are available online.

Thanks to longtime Forest volunteer and Los Angeles Meetup Group co-organizer Lee Zebold for distributing this to the membership.

******************************************************************************

The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts of this Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities.