North Malibu Creek State Park Loop HIKE (near Agoura Hills) [counterclockwise]

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DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: 9-mile loop - Moderate-to-strenuous (1,500' elevation gain/loss).

Our hike will start (and end) in Malibu Creek State Park at the point at which the Grasslands Trail crosses Mulholland Highway (just west of Las Virgenes Road). We’ll follow the North Grasslands Trail and the Liberty Canyon Trail as we head north through the Liberty Canyon Natural Preserve. Then we’ll head south as we hike up a north-south ridge on the Phantom Trail which provides panoramic views of Malibu Creek State Park and the surrounding mountains. After we descend from the ridge we’ll cross Mulholland Highway and hike the Cistern Trail, the Lookout Trail, and Crags Road to the Rock Pool where we’ll take a lunch/rest break. Then we’ll cross Malibu Creek and pass by the Visitor Center to hike the Chaparral Trail to Mott Road where we’ll visit the Mott Adobe Ruins before completing our loop hike along Crags Road and the Grasslands Trail.

PREPAREDNESS: Bring 2-3 liters/quarts of water (or other suitable liquid) and lunch/snack. Wear appropriate footwear (preferably hiking boots) and be prepared for bright sunlight (sunglasses), heat (layers of clothing), and/or precipitation (rain gear). Hiking pole(s) and a camera might come in handy.

NOTE: At the beginning of each outing you will be required to read and sign a liability release form (a sign-in sheet).

DIRECTIONS TO THE CARPOOL LOCATION IN SIMI VALLEY:

Take Hwy 118 to the Madera Road exit in Simi Valley.

Head south 1.4 miles on Madera Road to its intersection with Royal Avenue (there’s a traffic light at the intersection).

Turn left (east) onto Royal Avenue and then immediately turn left into the first driveway (which leads into a strip mall) and park near the Donut Delite store.

Wait for the hiking leader(s).

DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAILHEAD FROM SIMI VALLEY (for anyone who intends to meet us at the trailhead) – NOTE: You should be at the Grasslands Trail trailhead on the north side of Mulholland Highway (see below) by 8:30 a.m.

Take Madera Road south/southwest to Highway 23.

Head south (toward Thousand Oaks) on Highway 23 to Highway 101.

Drive 9.5 miles “south” (toward L.A.) on Highway 101 to the Lost Hills Road exit and take the exit.

Drive 0.2 mile and turn right (south) onto Lost Hills Road.

Drive 1.1 miles southeast on Lost Hills Road to Las Virgenes Road.

Turn right (south) onto Las Virgenes Road.

Drive 1.6 miles south on Las Virgenes Road to Mulholland Highway.

Turn right (west) onto Mulholland Highway.

Drive 0.2 mile west on Mulholland Highway and park near the point at which the Grasslands Trail crosses the highway (there are trailhead signs).

Park and wait for the hiking leader(s).

DISCLAIMER:

The organizer(s) or leader(s) take no responsibility and will not be held responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur during any Rancho Simi Trail Blazers Club (RSTB) hike/outing. These events can be inherently dangerous and accidents will happen.

By participating voluntarily you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being and acknowledge, appreciate, and in consideration for being allowed to participate in any way you further agree:

1. The risk of injury from the many of the activities is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and

2. TO KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others and assume full responsibility for your participation; and

3. To willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, you observe any unusual significant hazard during your presence or participation, you will remove yourself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately; and

4. You, for yourself and on behalf of your heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS Rancho Simi Trail Blazers, its organizers, officers, officials, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and leasers of premises used to conduct the event ("RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Activity participant agrees that this release will apply to all known and unknown as well as unanticipated claims, injures and damages resulting from group activities, as well as those now disclosed and all rights under section 1542 of the Civil Code of California and hereby are expressly waived. Section 1542 of the Civil Code of California reads as follows:

“A general release does not extend to claims which the (participant) does not know or suspect to exist in his (or her) favor, at the time of execution of the release, which if known by him (or her) must have materially affected his (or her) (participation and agreeing to) the release.”

By participating in any group event or activity, you hereby, for yourself, your heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, your executors and administrators, waive any and all rights and claims for damages you may have against any and all entities and individuals associated with the group, their representatives, successors and assigns and will hold them harmless and free of all liability or claim of negligence related to any and all injuries, disability, illness, death, loss or damage to person or property, suffered in connection with any and all activities organized by the group.