Cave of the Munits and Castle Peak climb--1:30 to 4:30, May 5, 2012

3-HOUR CLIMB UP A CHIMNEY CAVE IN THE WEST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY TO A KING'S CROWN OF ROCKS

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/1/5/b/event_21488539.jpeg

(above: CASTLE PEAK)

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/0/5/4/event_75512852.jpeg

(Above: the Cave of the Munits)

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/2/7/2/event_75604722.jpeg

for a printable aerial trails map: http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/3/8/4/highres_116309572.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/3/8/4/event_116309572.jpeg

Castle Peak and Cave of the Munits—hike is about 3 miles (the Cave is a 100 foot tall chimney cave--has a hole in the top where you can see the sky).

HIKE DIFFICULTY: CASTLE PEAK: Medium--we will be ascending through a chimney cave which does not require ropes or climbing equipment. This requires using your hands, however. When we climb out the top of the cave, we will continue up a hillside to a notch in the ridge. (total gain of 700 feet). Just over this notch is the civilized trail that will take us east to Castle Peak. From Castle Peak, we will go back on the same ridge trail (not going down through the cave) and it will lead us back down to the trail crossroads and to the cars.

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DOGS: no dogs, please, even if on leash. You will have to carry your dog up through the cave, and Rover will not be pleased.

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DIRECTIONS: Castle Peak Park—located at the west end of Vanowen Avenue (take the 101 freeway to Valley Circle offramp, go north to Vanowen, turn left (west) and park in neighborhood)

MAP TO THE MEETUP SPOTS: "A" IS CASTLE PEAK PARK;

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.21776,-118.65320&z=13&t=M&marker0=34.19569%2C-118.65938%2C4.4%20km%20SW%20of%20Chatsworth%20Reservoir%20CA&marker1=34.24076%2C-118.67217%2C4.1%20km%20WxNW%20of%20Chatsworth%20Reservoir%20CA

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TO SEE WHAT THE HIKES LOOK LIKE, PLUS MAPS:

https://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1583291

https://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1274467

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AS USUAL: BRING 3 TO 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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