Lollapalooza I: Temescal - Upper Rustic - Rustic - Sullivan

*** Note the new start time *** I miss the secret recesses of Upper Rustic Canyon and it's shady "bay tree" tributary. Don't you? Its time for another visit, but this time with a twist. This will be a shuttle hike starting at Temescal Canyon and ending at Sullivan Canyon. Our first ever Lollapalooza Hike!

This will be a shuttle hike. We all meet at Sullivan Ridge in Brentwood and take some of the cars to Temescal Ridge in Pacific Palisades where hike Begins. Those that left their cars at Sullivan will drive the other drivers back to their cars at Temescal at end of hike. Please see directions and maps below.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/4/d/4/event_108385812.jpegThe hike itself will begin on the grass and sagebrush-covered Temescal Ridge. The ridge enables sweeping views of Santa Monica Bay, the sprawling civilization of Los Angeles and the loftier San Gabriel Mountains.

We'll take a brief pause atop Temescal Peak, the tallest peak in Topanga State Park. From there we'll pick up an invisible trail and begin a long and lovely descent down the Bay Tree Trail. A dense grove of bay laurel tree stumps sprouted here after the 1978 Mandeville Canyon fire, creating what is surely one of the most densely shaded spots in the Santa Monica Mountains. Water from a tiny spring seeps over the trail at one point, just below a multi-trunked bay tree.

After our descent into Upper Rustic Canyon we will be joined by scattered live oak and a nice mixture of sycamores, willows, bay laurels, ferns and assorted riparian plants -- hallmarks of a year round water supply, at least underground. Much of the hiking here is along an uneven creek bed.

We'll continue south along the creek and enter Rustic Canyon proper and Camp Josepho. There are bathrooms here. Need I say more?. Continuing along Rustic Canyon we'll pass by an old barn once belonging to Will Rogers and eventually to the familiar Nazi Ranch. Beyond the ranch we'll hike up a little known trail back up to Sullivan Ridge and our cars

Hike will be about 11 miles with a net elevation LOSS of 1,000 feet. Upper Rustic Canyon is one of the most rugged areas of the Santa Monica Mountains. The trail had fell out of general usage after the 1998 El Nino and is overgrown. There is a 1.5 mile segment that I have not been on. Wear good hiking shoes/boots, long pants and beware of poison oak.

Directions to Sullivan Trailhead

From Sunset Boulevard, 3 miles west of the 405, turn north at the light onto Capri Drive. After 1/3 mile continue through the traffic circle, remaining on Capri Drive for another 1/3 mile until it comes to an end at Casale Road. Sullivan Ridge Fire road begins to the left but do not turn left on Casale Rd. Find street parking to the right or on an adjacent roads. After you park, walk to the corner of Casale and Capri. This is where we will arrange shuttle

Shuttle from Sullivan to Temescal

Our hike ends at Sullivan so we'll be shuttling to the Temescal Ridge Trailhead at Via Las Palmas where our hike starts .

Here is an address the first group of drivers can plug into GPS:

16700 Via la Costa
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Shuttle Map: http://goo.gl/maps/tCjOD

Return to Sunset and turn right to Palisades Dr. Turn right and travel about 3.5 miles where it will make a 90 degree left and turn into Chastain Pkwy E. Continue to Via Las Palmas and turn right. There is a small traffic circle as you cross Via La Costa. The next driveway on the left of Via Las Palmas is the entrance to the parking area

At the end of the hike we'll drive the first drivers back to their cars at Temescal

The Organizers and members of Hiking With Dean are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Hiking With Dean Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities per our ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER and Section 6.2 of the Meetup.com Terms of Service.