Mentryville: Pico Canyon Trail
Details
DESCRIPTION: It’s great to be planning hikes again after some time away to let a nagging foot injury heal. I’m starting with an old favorite that won’t be too hard for someone who hasn’t hiked in the better part of three months. It's exciting to be hiking again!
We'll start from Mentryville (a historic SCV site) located at the base of Pico Canyon’s chaparral-dominated slopes, Mentryville was an 1880’s oil boom town built around its oil well, Pico No. 4. Named for Charles Mentry, historic buildings still stand including a grand thirteen-room mansion, a one-room schoolhouse, and a barn. Mentryville and Pico No. 4 are registered as California State Historical Landmarks.
The beginning of the hike is on an asphalt road which yields to a fire road and untimely a single-track trail. Pico Canyon Trail is another one of the local gems where in a just a short hike you’re miles from the hustle and bustle of modern life and into the wide-open spaces of the back country enjoying nature with great views. We’ll be getting started early to avoid the midday heat!
DETAILS:
- Meet: Mentryville Parking lot where Pico Canyon Road ends at 7:00am, departure at 7:15 am sharp (June 14).
- Distance: Approximately 6.8 miles.
- Elevation gain: Approximately 1,272 feet.
- Time: Approximately 3.5 hours hiking including one snack break (brisk pace).
- Conditioning: You need to be in generally good physical condition (this is not a beginner hike).
- Dogs: Must be on leash.
- Restrooms – Yes at the park.
- Adventure Pass: Not required.
IMPORTANT NOTES: We’ll hike at a brisk pace and ask everyone to stay with the group for a friendly and safe outing. Hiking may be hazardous due to uneven footing, stream crossings, exposures, snakes, bugs, poison oak, etc. Please be aware of your abilities and their limits. You are responsible for your own safety and well-being. This event may be cancelled due to any inclement weather or other conditions. You can check the weather and other conditions on the AllTrails GPS Trail Map link below.
ESSENTIAL GEAR: Hiking boots and poles. Clothing layers are recommended. Snacks and 2+ liters of water and electrolytes or salt tablets. Hat and sunscreen.
The Ten Essentials of Hiking (link)
THIS HIKE RANKING: Level 3, Intermediate (see chart below).
Please only sign up to attend hikes that are consistent with your ability. Based on your hiking during the last 90 days, how would you score on the CHC Hike rating scale of one to five assuming a brisk pace?
CHC HIKE RANKING SCALE:
1. Beginner: 1-3 miles, less than 500 feet elevation gain.
2. Beginner/Intermediate: 1-7 miles, less than 700 feet elevation gain.
3. Intermediate: 5-10 miles, 1000-2000 feet elevation gain.
4. Intermediate/Advanced: 7-12 miles, up to 3000 feet elevation gain.
5. Advanced: 10-17 miles, 3000 feet or more elevation gain.
TRAILHEAD LOCATION:
Mentryville: 27201 Pico Canyon Road, Newhall, CA
There is parking for a $5 fee. There is also limited “no fee” parking outside the park which adds approximately a quarter mile (each way) to the hike.
NAVIGATION: We highly recommend the AllTrails app be installed on your cell phones and/or you print a copy of the trail map so you can personally navigate the trail if you need to.
The Community Hiking Club is a Non-Profit 501C3 organization. We rely on donations to continue sponsoring hikes like this. Please contribute by donating via: Cash contribution (at each hike), or via Zelle at 6617135610; or via Venmo at: @Heidi-Webber-5
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY - IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY: When you sign up for this event, you are releasing Community Hiking Club from any liability or responsibility with your participation in this group activity. While safety is a priority for everyone in the group, hiking can be inherently risky. By participating in any posted event, you are assuming responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Community Hiking Club (CHC) Meetup Group and its organizers and hike leaders are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in our events. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any Community Hiking Club Meetup events, you are releasing the Community Hiking Club Meetup Group and Hike Leaders from all liability in case of possible injuries or death as stated in paragraph 6.2 of the Meetup “Terms of Service” located on the bottom of the Meetup website. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience. If you sign up for this hike, you are verifying that this hike is within your abilities.
Mentryville: Pico Canyon Trail