Upper Rustic - Garapito Loop via Temescal Ridge


Details
The secret recesses of Upper Rustic Canyon, it's shady "bay tree" tributary, and Garapito Creek invite the avid local hiker on an adventurous loop hike on unmarked and partially overgrown trails.
http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/4/d/4/event_108385812.jpegOur hike begins 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 then descend the narrow Garapito Trail cutting a sinuous course through mature chaparal -- mostly mountain mahogany and ceanothus up to 20 feet tall. The blossoms of the ceanothus exude an attractive wild honey scent in spring. Tunneling through the tall brush, the trail eventually switchbacks down to the sycamore-shaded canyon bottom, crossing two forks of Garapito Creek.
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/5/e/c/event_108386092.jpegSoon after rising out of Garapito Canyon we descend into Upper Rustic Canyon where 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 creekbed.
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/7/8/6/event_108386502.jpegWe exit Upper Rustic and return to Temescal Ridge by way of 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 densley 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.
Other highlights along the way:
Green Peak Temescal Peak Cathedral Rock A new trailhead for the group! How does that sound?
Hike will be about 12.5 miles with hefty elevation gain. Strenuous. No beginners.
Directions
From Sunset Boulevard, half a mile east of PCH, head north on Palisades Drive. After 3.3 miles, continue straight on Chastain Parkway for another half a mile. Turn right on Via Las Palmas, and drive two short blocks past Via La Costa up to the public trailhead parking on the left. There are restrooms at the trailhead
Post-hike lunch will be at Mogan's Cafe on Palisades Dr
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.

Upper Rustic - Garapito Loop via Temescal Ridge