Horn Canyon to Pines Trail Camp [or further] HIKE (Los Padres National Forest)

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DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: 3 options - - - [1] Moderate-to-strenuous 5.2 miles round trip with 1,800’ of elevation gain/loss OR [2] Strenuous 8.2 miles round trip with 3,200’ of elevation gain/loss OR [3] Strenuous 9.8 miles round trip with 3,800’ of elevation gain/loss

Our hike to Pines Trail Camp (3,273’) will begin east of Ojai from the Thacher School parking area (1,459’) as we hike along Horn Creek and follow the single-track Horn Canyon Trail (22W08) up to the trail camp with its grove of Coulter pines; we’ll enjoy views of the Ojai Valley and the surrounding mountains as we gain elevation. NOTE: All three (3) options will reach the Pines Trail Camp. AFTER THAT:

Option 1 (5.2 miles) - - - We’ll return to the parking area the way we came.

Option 2 (8.2 miles) - - - We’ll continue hiking up the mountain via the Horn Canyon Trail to its intersection with Sisar Canyon Road (4,673’). “This is the steepest part of the ascent, and switchbacks are for the most part mercilessly absent – you’ll find yourself climbing some long, steep stretches of straight, rock-strewn trail.” The reward for this effort is the “fantastic views of the Ojai Valley from this vantage point.” After reaching Sisar Canyon Road we’ll return to the parking area the way we came. NOTE: Both options 2 and 3 will reach Sisar Canyon Road.

Option 3 (9.8 miles) - - - We’ll continue hiking up the mountain via the Horn Canyon Trail to its intersection with Sisar Canyon Road (4,673’); then we’ll cross the road and follow “a much less steep section of switchbacks” to its to its northern/upper end (5,269’) where it meets the Nordhoff Ridge Road (5N08) [5,269’]. We’ll return to the parking area the way we came.

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 [AT THE THACHER SCHOOL NEAR OJAI] FROM SIMI VALLEY (for anyone who intends to meet us at the trailhead) – NOTE: You should be at the trailhead (see below) by 8:45 a.m.

OPTION 1 (via Fillmore and Santa Paula) - - -

Head west (toward Moorpark) on Hwy 118 to the New Los Angeles Avenue (Highway 118) exit.

Head west 1.0 mile on New Los Angeles Avenue (Hwy 118) to Moorpark Road (Highway 23).

Turn right (north) on Moorpark Road (Hwy 23) and drive 11.3 miles to its intersection with Hwy 126 in Fillmore.

Turn left (west) on Hwy 126 and drive 8.75 miles to the 10th Street (Hwy 150) exit in Santa Paula.

Drive north/northwest through downtown Santa Paula and continue 14.5 miles on Hwy 150 to Reeves Road [NOTE: This road is immediately past (west of) Boccali’s Pizza and Pasta Restaurant on the right (north) side of Hwy 150].

Turn right (east) on Reeves Road and drive 1.1 miles to McAndrew Road [on the left].

Turn left (north) on McAndrew Road and drive 1.1 miles to the entrance to the private Thacher School on your right [NOTE: If you make a 90-degree turn to the left and begin heading downhill, you’ve missed it; it can be easy to miss].

Bear right at the first junction just inside the property and continue eastward through the parking areas for 0.2 mile.

Stay right at the second junction as well, heading southeast onto a dirt road and crossing Horn Creek; the road passes through an avocado orchard beside an athletics field for approximately 250 feet.

The parking area is in front of the gate; park your vehicle and wait for the hiking leader(s).

OPTION 2 (via Ventura and Ojai) - - -

Drive northwest (toward Ventura) on Hwy 101 to its interchange with Hwy 33.

Head north (toward Ojai) 13 miles on Hwy 33 to its junction with Hwy 150 in Ojai.

Turn right (east) at the junction of Hwy 33 and Hwy 150 in order to remain on Hwy 150.

Drive east through Ojai for 3.4 miles to Reeves Road [just west of Boccali’s Pizza and Pasta Restaurant where Hwy 150 veers to the right and begins climbing upward at the beginning of the Dennison Grade].

Veer slightly left onto Reeves Road (before you pass Boccali’s Restaurant) and

drive 1.1 miles to McAndrew Road [on the left].

Turn left (north) on McAndrew Road and drive 1.1 miles to the entrance to the private Thacher School on your right [NOTE: If you make a 90-degree turn to the left and begin heading downhill, you’ve missed it; it can be easy to miss].

Bear right at the first junction just inside the property and continue eastward through the parking areas for 0.2 mile.

Stay right at the second junction as well, heading southeast onto a dirt road and crossing Horn Creek; the road passes through an avocado orchard beside an athletics field for approximately 250 feet.

The parking area is in front of the gate; park your vehicle 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.