Wildflower Walk in Happy Camp Cyn w/Robert Sussman, native plant specialist
Details
****** RAIN FALLING CANCELS ALL HIKES ******
Sunday May 21, 2017 - Wildflower Walk and Talk in Happy Camp Cyn Regional Park with Robert Sussman - local native plant specialist and owner of Matilija Native Plant Nursery
Mileage: ~ 4 miles RT max
Gain: ~ 500’ (all pretty gradual)
Rated: Easy
Hiking time: ~ 3 hours with many stops for photos and discussion of plants
Description:
Calling all Wildflower fans!!
This event is just for you and is all about the flowers (rather than the hiking) this time.
Happy Camp Regional Park is a canyon located in Moorpark, Ventura County. From the Broadway trailhead, we will hike through grass lands of purple needlegrass (Nassela pulchra), bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons) and bladderpods (Isomeris arborea).
Then, after a little over a mile, we enter Happy Camp Canyon, transitioning from the grasslands to oak woodland mixed with chaparral. In these areas we should find native roses (Rosa calif.), scarlet bugler penstemon (Penstemon centranthifolius), coast sunflower(Encelia calif.), and white sage (Salvia apiana), to name a few.
As we continue up the canyon, following the creek bed, we will keep our eyes open for wildlife and our cameras focused on many more beautiful wildflowers. I am sure we will learn many interesting facts about the flora we encounter from Bob.
Optional post hike visit to Matilija Native Plant Nursery (5.6 miles/10 minutes):
After returning to the trail head, you will have the option to visit Bob's nursery which is close by. Here, he has assembled hundreds of Calif. native species, hybrids and southwest plants. Also, meet Bob's wife, Bonnie, who grows famous bearded irises, many that she has hybridized herself. Some of the interesting sub-species here can only be found here! As this is spring, most things will be in bloom (all at 20% off for this event). http://www.matilijanursery.com/
Carpooling from Santa Clarita Valley to the trail head:
WE ARE NOT MEETING AT TOWSLEY CANYON!!!
Meet at Walmart parking lot (27931 Kelly Johnson PKWY, Valencia)
Meet in the Southwest corner, at 7:45 AM for a 8:00 AM SHARP departure to the trailhead.
Please be respectful of your driver's support by contributing something at the end of your carpool to help defray the cost of gas - THX
Directions to Trail head:
From Santa Clarita/ Walmart - Take Newhall Ranch Road / Highway 126 West (Direction = Ventura) and continue ~20 minutes / 21 miles from Walmart on the 126 West to Filmore.
In Filmore, turn left at A Street light and drive 9 miles on highway 23 through orchards and hillswhen it becomes Grimes Canyon Road and then after a sharp left hander, it becomes Broadway Road. Continue straight until approaching a hard right hand curve. Do not follow the curve (Walnut Canyon Road) but continue straight, into the continuation of Broadway (watching for traffic as you cross Happy Camp Road). Continue on Broadway a 1/4 mile until it deadends in the trailhead parking lot.
From LA / Moorpark - Exit the 118 West in Moorpark at Princeton Ave. and head West . Turn right on first major intersection - Spring Road and head North until, turning right, it becomes Walnut Canyon Rd. Continue out of town into farm land and at the first sharp left hand bend, bear slight right / go straight onto Happy Camp Road but taking an immediate right onto Broadway. Drive a 1/4 mile until it deadends in the trailhead parking lot. (The distance from the 118 to this parking lot is ~ 3 miles).
Post Hike - Directions to Nursery, 8225 Waters Road, Moorpark - Take Broadway out of the trailhead parking lot West/straight for ~ 1 mile (do not turn right on Grimes) until the name changes to Stockton. Stay on Stockton (straight) for about 2-1/4 miles and then turn right on Waters. Follow Waters for ½ mile until you see on the left at 8225 Waters Road.
Meet your leader:
At the Broadway Trail head parking lot (Happy Camp Regional Park) at 8:40 AM for an 9:00AM SHARP departure down the trail. (Do not go to the Rustic Canyon Golf course parking lot!).
Bring/ Wear: Shoes with good tread, camera, snacks, LOTS of water/ electrolytes (2 - 3 Liters), a HAT and sunscreen.
Adventure Pass: Not required
Dogs: Not allowed, trail is shared with horses.
Leader's Note: There is a port-a-potty at the trail head.
Leader: Dianne
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Wildflower Walk in Happy Camp Cyn w/Robert Sussman, native plant specialist