Name: Cheeseboro Canyon - Baleen Wall - Rifleman Loop
Start: 2014-12-20T09:00:00-08:00
End: 2014-12-20T12:00:00-08:00
Location: Cheseboro Canyon

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Cheeseboro Canyon is located in the northernmost section of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It is from these hills that water in the canyons flow to the Pacific. The Chumash Indians lived in these canyons for thousands of years. Many trails within the canyons were original Chumash trails before they were expanded by cattle ranchers. In this large expanse of habitat, deer, bobcats, coyotes and rabbits roam.

This photo of a bobcat was taken in Cheeseboro Canyon 12/31/2010 by Jared Hughey

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Today, a great diversity of plants and animals live in the canyons. Wide-spread oaks and outcrops of sedimentary rock provide excellent nesting sites for owls, hawks and other raptors. The abundance of raptors indicates a large prey population, especially small mammals and reptiles. In more rugged areas where cattle didn't graze, we can still find a variety of native plant communities, including chaparral, coastal sage scrub and riparian woodlands.

One of the highlights of this hike is the Baleen Wall. Other highlights include Shepherds Flat, Sulfur Springs and the ranch house from the Rifleman TV show

View of Baleen Wall from canyon trail

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View of canyon trail from atop Baleen Wall

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A couple of unique facts regarding these canyons:

• Cheeseboro Canyon has the largest concentrations of birds of prey nesting areas in the U.S. outside of Alaska.

• The Valley Oak tree, the largest oak native to the United States and possibly the world, live in these canyons in what might be the largest southerly stand of trees left.

HWD Quiz:
Which one of these is the real TV Rifleman?

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Hike will be approximately 9 miles with 1200' elevation gain. Some trails are unmaintained. Exact route will be determined at trailhead. Expect the unexpected.

Post Hike Lunch

TAVERN 101
28434 ROADSIDE DRIVE
AGOURA HILLS, CA 91301
PHONE 818-991-7227

Directions: http://tinyurl.com/101tavern

http://tavern101.com/

Directions to Trailhead

From 405 and/or San Fernando Valley and/or PCH-Topanga Cyn:

-- Get on 101 North/West, take Chesebro Rd exit and make a right turn on Palo Comado
--Curve around to the left and make a right on Chesebro Cyn Rd (Welcome to Old Agoura)
--Continue north about a half mile, cross a narrow bridge and turn right into park entrance
--Drive up this road to the end and park in parking lot.

From Westlake Village and/or PCH-Malibu Cyn:

--Get on 101 South/East, get off at Chesebro Rd, cross Dorothy and make a left on Palo Comado.
--Continue on Palo Comado back over the freeeway and make a right on Chesebro Rd as above

Dean

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Cheeseboro Canyon - Baleen Wall - Rifleman Loop

Cheseboro Canyon

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Hiking With Dean ↪ Explore Your Wild Side

Cheeseboro Canyon - Baleen Wall - Rifleman Loop

Hiking With Dean ↪ Explore Your Wild Side

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