***Hike Cancelled*** - Upper Rustic - Bay Tree Loop

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HIKE

CANCELLED

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The secret recesses of Upper Rustic Canyon and it's shady "bay tree" tributary, invite the avid local hiker on an adventurous loop hike on unmarked and partially overgrown trails along some of the most rugged sections of the Santa Monica Mountains.

At the outset 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 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.

Along the way we'll bag Temescal Peak and explore some towering sandstone formations known as Cathedral Rock

Hike will be about 9 miles with hefty elevation gain. Strenuous. No beginners. If we have a good rain before the hike we'll make a side trip to the Blue Gorge

Directions to trailhead: Take 101 freeway and exit Reseda Bl. in Tarzana. Drive south toward the end of Reseda and park on street. There is a fee to park in the park. To avoid the fee park outside the white line (its after the k-rails) and walk up Reseda the rest of the way.

Be careful when exiting the area - there is a stop-sign camera

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.