Memorial Day Hike - Zuma Canyon Loop

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/8/9/d/event_18107261.jpeg

Please RSVP at The Weekday Hikers' (http://www.theweekdayhikers.com) Site

Zuma Canyon is distinguished for being one of the deepest gorges in the Santa Monica Mountains and unlike Topanga or Malibu Canyons has never suffered incursion by a major road.

We'll start at Lower Zuma Canyon and take the Zuma Loop trail west to the Zuma Ridge trail. The views improve as the trail climbs, and there are several great lookouts of Zuma Beach, Point Dume, and the ocean beyond. Turning north and climbing further will provide views of Trancas Canyon and Upper Zuma Canyon.

After a brief rest to catch our breath and take in the views, we turn east and descend a lush trail into Zuma Canyon proper. Here we will enjoy a snack break beside the shady Zuma Creek before hiking up the opposite ridge. We continue on this ridge for while then turn south on the Zuma Canyon Connection trail, take this to Ocean View Trail and descend to the Bonsall Trailhead and back to our starting point.

Hike is a little over 10.5 miles with 1700 ft net elevation gain. We'll proceed at a pace that will allow us to enjoy the scenery

Enjoy the photos from last Memorial Day (https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/937675/15378573/#15378573)

Plan to have our optional post-hike lunch somewhere close by: Malibu Seafood Patio or Coral Beach Cantina or Ladyface Ale Co. or Pot Luck or....?

Bring 2 qt water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, camera. Shorts OK.

Directions to trail head:

Take 101 and exit Kanan Rd. Head south toward beaches and turn right on PCH. After about 1/4 mile turn right on Bonsall Dr. Proceed 1 mile up Bonsall until it ends and continue into dirt parking lot.