Topanga Lookout and Saddle Peak---loop hike

A 9 mile Loop hike from Stunt Road up the rocky ridge to Topanga Lookout, with amazing climbable rock formations all the way up, (takes 3 hours) then snacks/ late lunch on the concrete pad up there with great views of the city and the ocean,

then up to the top of Saddle Peak for more fun climbing rocks, Finally, downhill via the Stunt High Trail past Cold Creek back to our cars.

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WE MEETUP AT 2:00 AND HIKE STARTS AT 2:15 --I WILL WAIT 15 MINUTES MAXIMUM FOR LATECOMERS. PLEASE TAKE THE 101 FREEWAY TO GET HERE, AS THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY WILL BE A PARKING LOT!!! Call me at 310-738-0861 if lost

DISTANCE: 9 miles, 5 HOURS. Elevation gain is 1250 feet from Stunt Road to Topanga Lookout in mostly full sun. Then we gain another 350 feet after lunch to hit Saddle Peak in part sun part shade.

FOLLOWED BY OPTIONAL DINNER AT SOME PLACE TO BE DETERMINED, MOST LIKELY Rocco's Pizzaria IN TOPANGA CANYON. 123 S Topanga Canyon Blvd

Weather is predicted to be 82 degrees:

http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USCA0149

DIFFICULTY: The first three hours is a hard workout, but is doable by any able hiker. We will sometimes need to use our hands as we climb over rocks on the trail to Topanga Lookout. After lunch, the trail is much easier (more civilized).

PLEASE: NO DOGS, EVEN ON-LEASH

PHOTOS: https://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=4659602

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/b/2/2/event_75592002.jpeg

(BELOW: optional climb up this rock--the trail goes around it--suitable for thrillseekers only!)

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/e/0/0/event_276956832.jpeg

(NOTE: sofas are not included)

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/c/0/8/event_75592232.jpeg

(Topanga Lookout)

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/0/a/e/event_63852462.jpeg

(Saddle Peak)

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DIRECTIONS TO PARKING AREA:

Take the 101 freeway to the Woodland Hills area, and take the offramp to the SOUTHBOUND Topanga canyon Blvd.

In a mile, turn right onto Mulholland Drive. In a mile or so, you turn left onto Mulholland Highway. If you pass a Gelson's market shopping center, you took the correct turn.

Follow Mulholland Highway several more miles over the summit, then in a little more than a mile there is a hard right turn. Just before this turn is Stunt Road. Turn left onto Stunt road and go about 1 miles. PARK NEAR TRAIL CROSSING SIGN.

GOOGLE DIRECTIONS: https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Culver+City,+CA&daddr=1667+Stunt+Rd,+Calabasas,+CA&hl=en&sll=37.269174,-119.306607&sspn=11.21887,19.753418&geocode=FQIfBwIdzmnx-Cmdc3fbHrrCgDH-WetL0emFMQ%3BFUdACAIdl5Dt-Ck5CwC_jJ_CgDGydxCgrNQzYQ&t=m&mra=ls&z=12

BELOW: LOCATION OF PARKING

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/1/8/600_276962072.jpeg

MAP TO THE PARKING--MEETUP SPOT:

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.09507,-118.64852&z=15&t=M&marker0=34.09507%2C-118.64852%2C4.4%20km%20W%20of%20Topanga%20CA

PRINTABLE TRAIL MAPS:

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/a/3/6/highres_75595862.jpeg

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/c/9/4/highres_76571412.jpeg

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/9/f/8/event_75583512.jpeg

AS USUAL: BRING 4 LITERS OF WATER, A HAT, SUNSCREEN, COMFORTABLE SHOES, LUNCH, SNACKS

LEGAL STUFF: finally, by going on this hike, you agree to assume all risks of this hike, and that no one at Meetup including the organizer is responsible for your safety. See the Meetup terms of service especially paragraph 6.2:

https://www.meetup.com/terms/

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