Cold Creek Preserve Loop

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/6/5/4/event_16813908.jpeg As far as I know, we are the only group that does this loop. This time I must modify it due to a closure of one section of the preserve (New Zealand mud snail infestation in upper Cold Creek). Our usual 8.5 mile loop with 1500 ft gain will be shortened to 6.5 miles and 1,000 ft. However I will take this opportunity for a side trip in search of artifacts.

The Cold Creek Preserve protects the headwaters of Cold Creek, one of the few year-round streams in the Santa Monica Mountains. The extravagant lushness of the riparian vegetation growing in Cold Creek Canyon Preserve today is astonishing. In spite of the 1993 Malibu fire that burned virtually everything to a crisp, the gully-washing rains from the 1998 El Nino with its floods and mudslides, and recent earthquakes, the preserve has recovered.

The Cold Creek Watershed is best described as a bowl, albeit with one side missing, made up of steep slopes, high ridges, and incredible rock formations. Nestled steeply behind Saddle Peak (El. 2805’), its north-facing slopes are cool and shady. The headwaters of Cold Creek spring out of the ground year-round providing a reliable source of cool, fresh water for the animal populations. During winter months you will see swarms of ladybugs wintering-over en masse waiting for the first warm winds of spring to disperse them to their feeding and egg-laying grounds. Spring comes late to north-facing slopes and there is often a fascinating display of flowers blooming well into October.

Photos from previous hikes:

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=2187301

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/804172/12642790/

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/1005640/16813871/

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/630030/8984033/

There will be an opportunity for a little rock climbing at our rest/snack spot, for those that are so inclined.

Highlights include: Weeping Rock, a short break at Will Smith's house, and an off-trail hunt for artifacts

Note: Some of our hike will be on unmanaged trails. Previous rains and subsequent foliage growth may have altered trail.

Optional post-hike lunch will be at Sagebrush Cantina (http://www.sagebrushcantina.com/)

Directions to Stunt High Trailhead:

This is the same trailhead we use for Saddle Peak and Calabasas Peak.

From the 405 on 101 Freeway... Exit Mulholland Dr /Valley Circle Blvd and go south on Mulholland Dr 0.5 mi Turn Right on Valmar St 1.2 mi Turn right on Mulholland Hwy 3.8 mi Left on Stunt Rd 1.0 mi Park at turnout on right

From the 101 Freeway WEST of Calabasas... 101 East, exit on Las Virgenes Road and head south for 3 miles to Mulholland Highway. Turn left and continue 4 miles to Stunt Road. Turn right and drive one mile to the pullout on the right.

From PCH....take Topanga, Malibu or Las Flores. See google map above

Bring 2 Qt water, lugsoles, snacks, sunscreen, camera, snacks.