Name: Michael's FULL MOON Missionary Potluck via Neon Way
Start: 2014-12-06T15:45:00-08:00
End: 2014-12-06T18:45:00-08:00
Location: mission point

Michael's FULL MOON Missionary Potluck via Neon Way

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[ ---- Potluck Details ----]

This event is the same hike as my Missionary Monday hikes to Mission Point as described below, but we'll throw in a full moon and a potluck at the top as a bonus!

The hike itself will be about 2 hours. We'll spend some additional time on top enjoying the full moon, city lights, food, drink, and friends before heading back down.

Bring food and drink to share with your fellow hikers, and I'm not talking about trail mix and Gatorade! Things that work well include little sandwiches, salad, bread, pita chips, cheese, hummus, deli meats, small meatballs, cookies, fruit, potstickers, wine, etc. Anything that travels well and is ok to eat cold. feel free to use your imagination :-)

I will supply all needed plates, glasses, napkins, plastic ware, mood lighting, mood music, and a 'tablecloth' to turn the bench at the top into a buffet table.

There are no picnic benches at the top, so if you want to sit you might want to bring something to sit on such as a small picnic blanket.

[ ---- Hike Description ---- ]

Become a Missionary and join us on this Monday evening intermediate level hike conditioning hike to 2771' Mission Point in the eastern edge of the Santa Susana range above Granada Hills, in the San Fernando Valley.

This hike will occur periodically on Monday evenings throughout the winter but never on the sacred 3rd Monday of the month.

This hike is about 2 hours depending on the flock.

Mission Point, at 2,771 feet, is the highest of three peaks in the San Fernando Valley on the Sierra Club's Great Lower Peaks List, a compilation of about 75 climbable Southern California peaks that are less than 5,000 feet in elevation. (The two other Valley points are Simi Peak and Rocky Peak.)

The locals also call this hike Three Trees, because a grove of trees stands just below the summit. It's an optical illusion, because there are actually 3.5 trees up there but depending on where you are standing, it can look like two or three. If you close your eyes, it'll look like there aren't any trees!

At the start of the hike, there's an immense willow tree. In late spring, the hills are covered with California poppies and lupine and mustard, and in winter, it is lusciously green and somewhat grassy. After you pass the namesake trees that are about a quarter-mile from the top, it gets steeper again. You won't see much wildlife, mostly birds and rabbits. We did see a Barn Owl checking us out the first week.

The views from the top are spectacular. You can see all of the San Fernando Valley, downtown and — on clear days — Catalina Island and Ventura Harbor. To the north, you can spot Lake Castaic and to the east, Mt. Baldy covered in snow during the winter. If you go up in time to catch the sunset, the sun sometimes strikes downtown Los Angeles buildings just the right way and they look as if they are on fire. It's breathtaking.

At the top, there's a stone monument with a plaque that says the trail is dedicated to Mario A. De Campos. He was a physician and active hiker who loved the local mountains.

In late March of 2012, a concrete and stone bench was installed for your sitting pleasure thanks to a local church.

In this area in the past, I have seen owls, rabbits, birds, a western toad, grass spiders with eyes that sparkle in one's headlamp, hawks, coyotes, a California black headed snake, grey fox, tarantula, and skunks. There are also fish in Sulphur Spring, but I would hardly call them wild.

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[ ---- Just The Facts ---- ]

The round trip distance to the top of Mission Point is 5.0 miles on the Sulfur Spring Fire Road, and the gain is about 1340'. If the steeper shortcuts going up and coming down are used, that will reduce the mileage.

[ ---- Route Description ---- ]

The route is a combination of single and double track class 1.

Click here to learn about the YDS. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosemite_Decimal_System)

[ ---- Pace and Ability ---- ]

This is a moderately paced hike for the intermediate hiker.

[ ---- Responsibility ---- ]

I am an organizer, not a leader. I am not liable for you and any way, shape, or form. Think of us as just a bunch of friends going hiking.

I reserve the right to exclude you from the hike, but would typically only do so if I was concerned about safety.

You must be self sufficient! If you find yourself alone in the middle of the wilderness, you must possess the skill set and common sense necessary to get yourself out of the bind.

Although I am a pretty slow hiker, I will not be acting as a sweep. There will be no sweep on this hike.

[ ---- Directions to the Trailhead ---- ]

From the 405 fwy heading north get on the 118 fwy going west and exit Balboa Blvd and turn right, going north. After a few blocks make a left on Jolette Ave and take it all the way up past Sesnon Blvd. and then make a left on Doric St. Turn right on Neon Way and soon it will dead end into a cul-de-sac. Plenty of free parking on Neon Way, a residential street. This is the trailhead.

Trailhead coordinates: 34.304225, -118.517285

** Click here for custom directions from your location** (https://goo.gl/maps/uR9zr)

[ ---- Parking ---- ]

Free parking is available at the trailhead on a residential street.

Please be respectful and limit the noise at the trailhead.

DO NOT leave any valuables in your car in plain sight, better yet, just leave your valuables at home. Either you or a thief can remove your valuables from your car. I suggest you do it first.

[ ---- Permits & Fees ---- ]

No permits or fees of any kind are required.

[ ---- What to Bring ---- ]

1/2 liter of water, a charged cell phone, trekking poles, a headlamp, an extra layer for when the sun goes down, and a good sense of humor and a great attitude.

[ ---- Dogs ---- ]

DO NOT bring your dog if the temperature at the start of the hike is above 80 degrees! Check the weather link below. Well behaved dogs are OK, but be sure they are protected against ticks. Be sure you have a leash available.

[ ---- Weather Forecast ----]

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/wxtables/index.php?lat=34.30437876715258&lon=-118.51733207702637&table=custom&duration=7&interval=6

[ ---- Event Cancellation Disclaimer - Please Read Carefully ----]

As a member on the Santa Clarita Valley Search and Rescue Team, there may be a very rare occasion I would need to cancel an event at the last minute when duty calls. This hasn't happened yet, but it is quite possible it will at some point.

If a suitable alternate organizer is not available, I will cancel at least 60 minutes before the scheduled start of the event. Please double check this page and/or your email before you head to the trailhead to verify the hike is in fact still on. I would not want you to drive to the trailhead just to find nobody there.

[ ---- What if you have to cancel? ---- ]

I do understand from time to time emergencies come up and plans change, and if it does, please remove yourself as soon as you realize you can't make the event. Just because this is a web based venue doesn't mean it's OK to throw out common courtesy and flake.

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Michael

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Michael's FULL MOON Missionary Potluck via Neon Way

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Michael's FULL MOON Missionary Potluck via Neon Way

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