Wednesday Women's Wander: Ojai Foothills, 7-10 miles

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/9/7/0/event_84767472.jpegAre you willing to take a turn leading/choosing a Wed AM hike? Can you read a map and follow a route? If so, feel free to sign up for this hike.

Each week, participants take turns choosing the route and leading the hike.

This is the perfect opportunity for you if there's a trail you've always wanted to explore and need help with the map reading/route finding. The group will help you with it.

For the whole month of February, we'll be in the foothills of Nordhoff Peak on Pratt, Fuelbreak, Shelf, Cozy Dell trails. We might even take a jaunt up the mountain towards Nordhoff Peak.

Let's take advantage of this cool weather to hike in Ojai while we can. Summer temps are often between 80-105 degrees.

No "no shows." Don't sign up if you've ever been a "no show" at any Meetup. Your RSVP will be changed to a "no."

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/7/7/2/event_84766962.jpegPlease, no guests. You must be signed up at Fun in the Sun Club Meetup, thereby agreeing to Meetup's Release of Liability (https://www.meetup.com/terms/). Don't show up without signing up here first. Thank you.

Trailblazing? No, these trails have been trodden before, but maybe not by us.

Exploratory? Yes, following the map and looking for the route.

Bushwacking? Probably not. Trails are in good shape. But it's always a temptation we might take.

Type of Hike: Leader's choice, anything possible.

Terrain: Single track, fire-road, river crossing with boulders.

Start Time: Arrive EARLIER. It's a good idea to plan t be there at 8:15AM so if you get lost or there's traffic, you'll still be on time. We'll leave when everyone arrives and wait until 8:30AM at the latest. If you're lacing up your boots at 8:30AM, we'll be gone.

Estimated Stats: 7-10 miles, 1,300' - 1,600'. We'll finish before 12:30PM.

Pace: About 2.5mph moving average--sometimes considered a brisk pace, but it's all relative. Participants stay behind the leader. No rushing ahead, no tigers or turtles.

Bring: The ten essentials. Trekking poles if you like using them.

Wear: Layers, hiking shoes/boots with lug soles.

Dogs: Leashed dogs okay if they can handle the stats and stay still while horses pass us. Please clean up after your dog.

Meeting Place: Signal Street Trailhead for Shelf Road Trail. Very north end of North Signal Street, Ojai, a dead-end road. On the map, North Signal Street turns into Valley View Road.

Note:When driving north on N. Signal Street from Ojai Avenue, N. Signal Street bends 90 degrees to right and becomes Grand Avenue.

At this point, immediately turn LEFT to stay on N. Signal Street.
Park outside houses at road end.

Leave nothing of value in your vehicle, at this or any other trailhead.
There are no facilities at this trailhead, and we'll be hiking next to houses for about a mile.

Restrooms: There's a McDonald's and a Starbucks on right side of HWY 33, just before junction with HWY150/Baldwin Road.
Note: There are no public restrooms in Starr Market, Ojai.

Remember: You should plan to arrive at 8:15AM. We'll wait for you until 8:30AM at the latest. If you get there at 8:31AM, we'll be gone.