4 Waterfalls hike--(one underground) at Circle X Ranch--Canyon View Trail

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.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/4/0/8/event_20481512.jpeg

ITINERARY: WHEN: 3 PM, Sunday April 3rd

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)

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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)

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/2/0/8/event_20449672.jpeg

PLEASE PRINT OUT THIS PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE MAP SHOWING WHERE TO PARK:

http://photos1.meetup... (http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/2/0/8/highres_20449672.jpeg)

ALSO, HERE'S A PRINTABLE GOOGLE MAP: click on link

http://photos1.meetup... (http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/5/a/9/highres_20469641.jpeg)

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/5/a/9/600_20469641.jpeg

(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!

PHOTOS OF THE HIKE:

FROM DECEMBER 27, 2010: https://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1200522

http://picasaweb.goog... (http://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/2908GrottoCircleXRanchWesternSantaMonicaMountains)

HERE'S A DESCRIPTION OF THIS HIKE FROM MEET-UP IN 2009:
https://www.meetup.com... (https://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/calendar/10277263/?from=list&offset=0)

https://www.meetup.com... (https://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=605189)

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BRING: WATER, A HAT, SUNSCREEN, COMFORTABLE SHOES WHICH YOU DON'T MIND GETTING WET, AND FOOD---THIS IS NOT TOO HARD OF A HIKE!

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HOW TO GET THERE:

FROM THE WESTSIDE, take the 10 freeway to Pacific Coast Highway, go west past Malibu to Yerba Buena Road. Turn right, go up the hill 5 miles to the Circle X ranch ranger station, and about a half mile past that is the Sandstone Peak trailhead.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE THE 101 FREEWAY: take the 101 Freeway west to Kanan Dume Road in the city of Agoura Hills. Take it to the south, towards the beach. In about 5 miles, you will come to Mulholland Highway, Turn right, going west. In about a mile, the road forks. Take the left fork onto Encinal Canyon Road. Follow this for about 2 miles. It will run into Decker road (also called Lechuza or Highway 23). Turn Right. This will lead very shortly again to Mulholland. Turn left (west). A short distance ahead is an abrupt right turn called Little Sycamore Rd. (The name soon changes to Yerba Buena Road--don't worry !). Take this twisty road for another 2 miles and you will see the parking area for the Mishe Mokwa trail, go another half a mile and park at the Sandstone Peak trailhead --YES--PARK THERE!. (If you continue west on this road for another 1/2 mile, you will see the ranger station--we are not starting from here, however, there are restrooms and drinking water here)

FINALLY, (LEGAL DISCLAIMER)--YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEING CAREFUL ON THIS HIKE. BY COMING ON THIS HIKE, YOU AGREE TO NOT HOLD ANYONE AT MEETUP RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES.

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And for more cool hikes this week, see my Calendar of Meetup hikes in L.A.: http://lameetuphikes.... (http://lameetuphikes.blogspot.com)