Bonus Adventure Hike: Santa Paula Canyon to the Punch Bowls!

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/b/9/f/event_22647551.jpegNote the slightly later start time, to give everyone ample time to get to Ojai.

Careful readers have already picked up the words "bonus" and "adventure" in the title. For the feckless, this hike is in addition to our normal weekday morning hike, and it will be different. Please read carefully (non-fecklessly) and determine if this hike is for you.

The Santa Paula Canyon Trail is among the most beautiful and popular hikes in the Ojai area. The trail follows Santa Paula Creek up a shady, forested canyon past a number of deep bedrock pools. The trail leads to The Punchbowl (there are several pools; which is the official Punchbowl is up for debate, thus our hike's title), a swimming hole fed by a spectacular 25 foot waterfall that explodes out of a scenic, narrow gorge. Beyond the Punchbowl are more fantastic pools and a water slide.

Copy and paste this link for a video of the Valencia Hiking Crew getting their water slide on (beyond the Punchbowl): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZX8eIBnIoE

The trail along the way is a mixture of pavement, dirt, and gravel and rock streambed, with some boulder-hopping and watercrossings thrown in for fun. With the rains we've had this season, the water is rushing, an amazing sight that should be experienced while it lasts. Even without a lot of water, the dense alder and pine forest and stone canyon walls make this worth the trip.

The hike is an 8 mile (total) out and back, with 900 feet of elevation gain. Most of the trail rises graually enough to appear flat, but there will be some climbing/rock scrambling toward the end, especially if we dare go Beyond the Punchbowl... (cue scary music)

This will be an all day event so you should leave it wide open for the whole day with no other plans. This will be a water hike and you will get wet from creek crossings, so wear appropriate footwear. Bring plenty of water and snacks, lunch, sunscreen, poles if desired, change of shoes at the car when coming back from hike, and your adventurous spirit. There is limited, free parking on 150 outside the college entrance in a dirt lot across the street. Don't leave valuables in the car! We will be walking through the campus to the trailhead, so please respect the students and faculty.
Directions: From the 101 freeway, go to the 126 (Santa Clarita/ Santa Paula). Follow the 126 for several miles to Exit 12, 10th Street. Turn left on S. 10th Street. 10th Street eventually merges into CA 150 Ojai. Drive several miles to 1000 Thomas Aquinas College, which will be a mile past Steckel Park. Park in the dirt lot on the left side of the road just beyond the bridge, across from Thomas Aquinas College. If you pass the college, you've passed the lot. The 126 can also be accessed by following the 23 North in Moorpark. Turn left onto 126 in Filmore and take it to Exit 12, 10th St. Turn right on 10th St. and take it until it merges with 150, then follow it a few miles to the college, as above.