Joughin Ranch to Oat Mountain (and back) Hike (Santa Susana Mountains)

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DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: Moderate-to-strenuous 7 miles round-trip with 1,800’ of elevation gain/loss.

NOTE: The temperature forecast for Saturday, March 14, 2015 is about 90 degrees so we will replace the planned hike up Oat Mountain with an easier loop hike in the nearby Highlands area and Devil Canyon (which has lots of shade). This replacement hike will be around the same distance but will have noticeably less elevation gain. THIS HIKE WILL START AND END FROM THE SAME PARKING LOT (as the originally planned hike would), i.e., the parking lot in the Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park at Joughin Ranch on Browns Canyon Road north of Chatsworth.

The hike will begin at the parking lot in the Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park at Joughin Ranch on Browns Canyon Road north of Chatsworth. We’ll follow the Oat Mountain Motorway as it climbs to the “golf-ball tower” atop the western end of Oat Mountain in the Santa Susana Mountains. The motorway passes through an abandoned 1950’s Nike Missile site about a mile from the parking lot. As we gain elevation there will be panoramic views to the south, east, and west. At the top of Oat Mountain we’ll have magnificent views of the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley, and the surrounding mountains. We’ll return the way we came.

NOTE: There will be an option for an easy “walkabout” atop Oat Mountain of up to an additional six miles round-trip with an additional 800’ of elevation gain/loss before descending to the parking lot.

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 TRAILHEAD:

Take Hwy 118 to the De Soto Avenue exit in Chatsworth.

If you’re approaching from the west, turn left (north) onto De Soto Avenue; if you’re approaching from the east, turn left (north) onto De Soto Avenue.

Drive a very short distance to the north end of De Soto Avenue and turn right (east) onto Browns Canyon Road.

Drive 3.0 miles on Browns Canyon Road to the parking lot at the Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park at Joughin Ranch. NOTE: Ignore any signs intended to prevent you from driving up Browns Canyon Road to the parking lot; the residents have been told repeatedly to take them down.

Stop at the lower section of the parking lot and pay the $5.00 parking fee at the “iron ranger” next to the road.

Drive the short distance uphill to the larger upper section of the parking lot.

Park and wait for the 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.