Presidents' Day Wilderness Hike, 14-16 miles

Trailblazing Extravaganza in Matilija Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest, Ojai

Let's go exploring! Weather is perfect and it's been so dry, we can still easily cross all the creeks. Although most of this hike is fireroad, the last mile or so will include some tough bushwhacking to get to a peak just east of Divide Peak in the gorgeous Matilija Wilderness.

This hike will suit you if you're a trailblazer--willing to go where others haven't been, and want to help the group find the best route.

Hikers can choose to go only part-way and turn back earlier. It would be good to stay together as a small group group if you do this.

I'm bringing friends as guests. Everyone else must be signed up, thereby agreeing to Meetup's Release of Liability.http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/b/e/0/event_64852192.jpeg

Steep section up to Divide Peak.

Meeting Place: 7:30AM at Carrows is only a suggestion for those who wish to carpool from there. There will be no one there unless YOU arrange to meet someone there. Robert and I are going directly to the trailhead for an 8:30AM Hike Start Time.

Trailhead directions: will be sent to those signed up.

Trailblazing? Exploratory? Bushwacking? Yes, yes, and yes. Triple treat ... whoohoo! It's so difficult to find local trails that haven't been trodden, but I think no one will have been to some places we're going today.

Pace: Pace will be set to that of the slowest hiker so we'll stay together as a group, with participants between leader and sweep. No rushing ahead, no tigers or turtles.

Terrain: Single track, fireroad, firebreak, xc.

Type of Hike: Out and back the same way.

Estimated Stats: 14-16 miles/4,300' - 5,000'.http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/b/f/e/event_64852222.jpeg

Views of Old Man Mountain and Vulture Peak.

Bring: The ten essentials. Trekking poles if you like using them, gloves for summit section (garden gloves fine), headlamp, food for all day, plenty water, e.g. 4L+.http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/c/0/8/event_64852232.jpeg

Enjoy the smell of the pine forests when we get up on top of the mountain.

Wear: Layers, hiking shoes/boots with lug soles. You may want to wear long pants for the bushwacking part

Dogs: Leashed dogs okay if they can handle the stats.

Gorgeous lake views from the peak, with Jameson Lake (top) and Lake Casitas (bottom):

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