Zuma Canyon

This is a beautiful, very RUGGED and STRENUOUS hike through Lower Zuma Canyon, Upper Zuma Canyon, and Newton Canyon. We start the hike near PCH and end up about 4 miles north of PCH off Kanan Dume Rd. At an EXTREMELY SLOWPOKE pace we will take about 7 hours to go 4 miles, roughly 1200' elevation gain (Point Dume USGS topo map). The Sierra Club rates this as an "M" hike, which means it's NOT FOR BEGINNERS! (more like intermediate/advanced). It involves a lot of BUSHWHACKING and CLIMBING OVER BOULDERS. Good balance and rock climbing skills are helpful. The hike begins around open fields, sycamore trees and laurel sumac bushes. The canyon then narrows and there are oaks and eucalyptus trees along a creek. Most of the hike is CLIMBING UPSTREAM OVER HUGE SANDSTONE BOULDERS along Zuma Creek. We may get out feet wet! There is poison oak in there! Towards the end of the hike, there's an extremely STEEP hill to climb up- you must be in good shape to do this hike! THIS HIKE TAKES A LOT OF ENERGY!!! (mostly due to climbing up the boulders). BRING: 2-3 quarts of water, lunch, hiking boots that can get wet, warm clothes. NOT for beginners!!! A CHALLENGING (but fun!!) hike! You do not need an Adventure Pass for parking. If you sign up for this hike you must stay with the group!!!!! (for safety reasons) RIDESHARE/CAR SHUTTLE: This hike is in the Santa Monica Mountains. We'll meet at 8:30 at the Backbone Trail Parking Area off Kanan Dume Rd. (page 627 D1 of the Thomas Brothers Guide). From PCH: go north on Kanan Dume Rd. (the intersection of PCH and Kanan Dume Rd. is on page 667 of the Thomas Bros. Guide)(Kanan Dume is west of Pepperdine, west of Latigo Canyon Rd, and east of Trancas Canyon Rd). Go about 4.1 miles. It will be on the left just after the first tunnel. From the 101 (Ventura Freeway): go south on Kanan Dume Rd. (Thomas Brothers Guide page 558). Pass Mulholland and Latigo Canyon Rd. Go through two tunnels. It will be on the right Just before the third tunnel. To do the SHUTTLE, we will leave as many cars as possible at the Backbone Trail Parking Area. That is where we will be finishing the hike. We will fit everyone in as few cars as possible and drive to where we will begin the hike. The hike will begin at the end of Bonsall Dr. Bonsall Dr. begins at PCH (.8-1 mile west of Kanan Dume Dr.). The end of Bonsall Dr. is about 1 mile from PCH. The shuttle is about 6 miles one way.