Beat the heat at Mentryville 4 Mile Lollypop loop up via Johnson Park

Saturday, June 11, 2022 - Local Hike 4 miles about 580 feet assent
2 hours with short water break.

Possible **Bonus trip extension. (see below)

Meet at Trail head: 7:00AM
Details below:

NOTE: If you have not already done so, please visit the Dropbox link below to read our "Important Information" before attending this hike. https://www.dropbox.com/s/e3wv87jx6mbttgg/Post%20COVID%20Rules%2007122021.docx?dl=0
Thank You

Description:
For this hike good thread and poles highly recommended as well as water. Considering the temperature this weekend we are going to make this short to be on the safe side. The hike starts in the old oil town of Mentryville, followed by a gradual climb on a paved road , until we reach Johnson Park. There we will hang a left and ascend up the the Johnson Park Trail. With the added bonus of some wind caves and some rock formations until we hit the Pico Canyon Service road. Then head back down the service road where we can see some cool examples of tiny anticlines and Well #4, then its downhill till we get back to the parking lot.

**Bonus trip: If the temperature is not to bad we will see how the groups feels about a push to another 900 feet to the top of Pico Peak. If we do that we will break at the top before returning the same way back down the service road. ~3.5 hours

More background at:
https://scvhistory.com/mentryville/mstory.htm

Meet Leader:
Be at parking area in Mentryville near the big pepper tree at 7:00 AM, for a 7:15 SHARP departure up the trail.

There is a portapotty at the trailhead.

NOTE: BRING $5 bill or a credit card for SELF-SERVE PARKING using an envelope at the Trailhead or a Parking kiosk! ! If you park in the lot but do not pay/ clearly display the envelope/ kiosk receipt , expect a $75 ticket.

See Parking lot alternative below.

Bring: 2L water and 1L Gatorade, snacks, a camera, a hat and sunscreen.
Directions/ Parking ( 34.37805, -118.61151):

• From Los Angeles: drive North toward Santa Clarita on the 5 Highway.
• From Antelope Valley: Follow the 14 Hwy South to where it intersects with Interstate 5. Be ready in right lane and turn North on the 5 (a big curved flyover), direction Santa Clarita/ Sacramento etc.
• AV and LA:
  A few miles North of the 5/14 interchange, on the 5 FWY, look for fast food signs/ gas signs etc. and exit on Lyons Avenue WEST ramp, turning left and go over the 5 Highway. Keep going West through several lights, until it becomes Pico Canyon (maybe 2 miles).
  Continue on Pico Canyon as it narrows, ending at a green gate in front of Mentryville. Over the bridge on the left and park close to the big pepper tree by the rest room.