Weldon to East Canyon (6 miles)... or add a Mission Peak RT for a 9 mile total !

Saturday, February 7 - Weldon to East Canyon/ Mission Peak

Local and so popular the last time we did it ......!

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Hills above Weldon Canyon, looking South.

CHOICES!! This is a 6 mile or a 9 mile hike, depending upon the option you select - either one gets you ~ 1500’ gain! However, most of that gain is in the first hour of the hike and we will take that part a little easier.

This hike, eventhough it is in SCV, will whisk you away to rolling green hills, views and quiet oak woodlands of the 480-acre Michael D. Antonovich Open Space. The area straddles the ridgeline of the Santa Susana Mountains and features mixed woodlands of bigcone Douglas-fir, bigleaf maple, coast live oak, California black walnut, native ash, and valley oak. Chances are high we will meet no one else for most of the way.

Shorter Hike route - Approx. 6 miles and ~1500' gain :

Up Weldon Canyon, Down East Canyon.

Longer Hike route - Approx. 9 miles and ~1500 +' gain:

We start by going steeply up Weldon Canyon, then along a beautiful tree lined service road to reach the top of East Canyon. Here we will say adios to any hikers doing the shorter route, as they go directly down East Cyn, enjoying American walnut trees, views of the entire SCV and Rice Canyon below.

The rest of us will continue up East Canyon to where it meets the top of O'Melveny Canyon. We hike across the top, along grasslands and an oak lined lane, over to Mission Peak, which may be windy. We will have a lunch/ snack stop here and then return to the top of East Canyon and from there a nice downhill hike back to our vehicles via East Canyon.

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At Mission Peak, looking North East

Meet your leader: At the base of East Canyon at 7:30AM for a 7:40AM SHARP departure. Park on the Old Road, see detailed directions below.

(VERY Short) Carpool: We will leave most of the cars at the East Canyon location, and carpool in a few cars a very short distance to the Weldon Canyon Trail head (22945 Coltrane Avenue, Newhall), it is just up the Old Road. People who opt for the shorter 6 mile hike should plan to leave their cars at East Canyon.

Note: At the end of the hike, a few of us will act as Carpoolers, taking the people who kindly drove you the short distance to Weldon Canyon, back to their cars. (THANK YOU in advance for your assistance).

Directions to East Canyon meeting spot:

Exit the I-5 freeway at Calgrove. Turn west. Follow Calgrove around a curve and through one signal. You will now be on The Old Road. Pass Towsley Cyn; Pass the Post Office; Pass the Church of the Nazarene but immediately after passing the Church of the Nazarene, park along the side of the road, on the right. This is where we will meet.

Bring: Lots of water, snack/lunch, hiking poles if you have them, and a camera if you have one. Good shoes with tread are a must have and bring an extra layer to avoid a chill if you are going to Mission Peak (you will be cooling off and it can be windy up there).

Rated: Moderate/ Moderate +, depending on whether you choose the longer one. Most of the 1500' gain is in the first hour of the hike.

Adventure Pass: Not required

Dogs: Ok, if on a leash and well-behaved with other dogs / people

Leader: Steve I.

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