Santa Ynez Canyon/Falls & Quarry Canyon - A Hike into L.A. History

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/d/3/event_38582771.jpegThis shaded hike will include one of the most popular wild waterfalls in Los Angeles -- the 18' cascading falls at Santa Ynez Canyon. But before we get to the falls the mouth of Quarry Canyon, site of an old limestone quarry, will open to our right at a sandstone outcropping. It is here the historical part of our hike begins.

After entering Quarry Canyon we will see the scarred limestone and sandstone cliffs that give testament to once-extensive, and controversial, early to mid-20th century extractive industries associated with noted real estate developer Alphonzo Bell (Bel-Aire, City of Bell, etc). Bell's son Alphonso Jr, a local U.S. Congressman, assisted local land preservationists in lobbying the State of California to set aside land that would eventually become Topanga State Park.

This canyon is made more significant by one of our very own members, who as a small boy 50 years ago, painted his name on one of the old structures. Look closely to find Bruce Evans' name. The date is Feb 9, 1961:

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/8/c/9/event_38571401.jpeg

Perhaps Bruce will bring some paint with him to update the date!

We will also search for the stone chimney of a burnt-out cabin and a sandstone boulder pocked by Indian mortars

After exploring Quarry Canyon and visiting the falls (with optional boulder climbing to the top), we head up to Trippet Ranch for a snack break/sack lunch.

Hike will be about 8 miles round trip with 1000 feet net elevation gain. At Quarry Canyon we will be walking along what once was a road and will be at best an overgrown path.

Post hike lunch will be at the Reel Inn (http://www.reelinnmalibu.com/) .

Directions to trailhead: From PCH: Take Sunset Bl north 0.5 mile to Palisades Dr. Follow Palisades Dr north for 2.4 miles to Ver de la Montura. Turn left for one long block. Signed trailhead will be on the right. Park on street. (This is the residential neighborhood we see to the east when doing the Parker Mesa hike)