SEE WHAT A WEEK OF RAIN DOES TO OUR LOCAL WATERFALL PARADISE!
WHERE: Circle X ranch, in the western Santa Monica Mountains
NOTE: BECAUSE THIS HIKE GETS REALLY POPULAR IN WATERFALL SEASON, WE ARE LIMITED TO 50 HIKERS MAXIMUM, AND CAR-POOLING IS MANDATORY--THE RANGERS GET A BIT CRANKY IF WE PACK THEIR PARKING LOT. WE ARE LIMITED TO 12 CARS.
CARPOOLING IS MANDATORY--A GOOD SPOT TO MEET FOR CARPOOLING IS ON PCH ACROSS FROM NEPTUNE'S NET (AT YERBA BUEBA ROAD). THEN DRIVE UP THE HILL 5 MILES TO THE PARKING LOT. Park in the lot with the sign saying "Sandstone Peak trailhead".
DRIVING TIME: Typically it takes an hour from downtown or west L.A to get here.
3 pm: Meet at Sandstone Peak trailhead parking lot
We will first past a series of cascading mini falls. Then we will connect with the Grotto trail, and cross a much bigger waterfall. Soon, to our left,we will see falls #2 and 3. Then when we hit the canyon bottom and an old campground, we are really close to the grotto.
The Grotto is really cool because this is a 20 foot underground waterfall, located in a room under a giant boulder in the canyon. On the way we may pass nice smelling wildflowers, if the lilac flowers are blooming yet.
7 PM--watch the sunset and optional dinner at Neptune's Net (located at PCH and Yerba Buena Road)
HOW LONG IS THE HIKE: About 4 miles each way. This is an upside down hike, we go down past 4 waterfalls, then come back up. The last tenth of a mile of the hike requires some climbing over boulders to get to the last waterfall (the grotto--which is the underground waterfall in the picture above)
ELEVATION LOSS AND GAIN: We will descend 800 feet to the grotto in around 4 miles. Then take the elevator back to the top. Only the last tenth of a mile at the last waterfall requires some climbing over large bouders.
WEATHER: expected to be sunny
WHERE TO PARK?: There are 4 dirt parking lots at Circle X ranch. However, we will meet at the Sandstone Peak trailhead (see map)
(NOTE: THE BLUE DOTS FOLLOW THE ROUTE WITH THE LEAST HAIRPIN TURNS--FOR THOSE THAT GET DIZZY EASILY)
--BRING A HAT!!!! BRING 2 QUARTS OF WATER PER PERSON. STAY HYDRATED!. Also, you might get wet crossing the stream. We're in no rush, so let's be careful!
