🌳 OAK SPRINGS TRAIL – SHADY RIDGE ESCAPE 🌬️🥾

🌳 OAK SPRINGS TRAIL – SHADY RIDGE ESCAPE 🌬️🥾

📣 This hike is cross-posted with both the Los Angeles Hiking Group and Happy Feet Hikers 🦶. All are welcome to join!

🕑 Hike Meetup Time: 2:00 PM
⏰ Hike Start Time: 2:15 PM (Promptly)
📏 Distance: 4.6 miles (Out and Back)
📈 Elevation Gain: 1,400 ft
⏳ Estimated Duration: 3 hours
⚠️ Difficulty: HARD – Not recommended for beginners.

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Tucked away in the 🌲 Angeles National Forest just beyond 🗺️ Sylmar, CA, the Oak Springs Trail is a lesser-known gem that offers a refreshing escape from the city heat. Starting from a rustic trailhead off Gold Creek Road, the trail gently welcomes you under the shaded canopy of coastal oaks and chaparral, offering cool breezes 🌬️, natural beauty, and that hard-to-find feeling of real tranquility.

As we begin our journey, you’ll notice how the trail gradually transitions from a soft dirt path to a more rugged incline as we climb deeper into the canyon. Wildflowers 🌼, fluttering birds 🐦, and the occasional rustle of a lizard darting into the brush remind us we’re guests in a thriving ecosystem.

Although rated hard, this hike is perfectly manageable at a slow and steady pace 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️, which is exactly how we’ll be taking it. Our group prioritizes safety, conversation, and enjoying the moment over speed. Along the way, we’ll pause often to take in ridge-top vistas ⛰️, hydrate, and breathe in the crisp mountain air.

About halfway in, you’ll notice panoramic views start to unfold. On a clear day, you can even see the San Fernando Valley in one direction and towering mountain peaks in the other. The rewarding climb and peaceful surroundings make this a rejuvenating experience both physically and mentally.

On our return trip, we’ll descend back the way we came—watching the shifting light through the trees and reflecting on the beauty we just walked through. It’s a nature-lover’s escape that delivers the perfect blend of challenge and serenity.

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WHAT TO BRING 🧢🥤🥾:
• LOTS OF WATER 🥤 – At least 2 liters per person is strongly recommended.
• Sturdy hiking boots 🥾 or trail shoes
• Hat 🧢, sunscreen ☀️, sunglasses 🕶️
• Trail snacks 🥜🍎 to recharge
• Optional: Trekking poles 🦯, personal cooling towel ❄️, light pack 🎒

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🚗 PARKING INFO:
Park at 🅿️ OAK SPRINGS TRAILHEAD PARKING, located about 0.6 miles up Gold Creek Road, just off Little Tujunga Canyon Road.
🎟️ An Adventure Pass is required for parking—available at select gas stations like 7-Eleven or online.

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⚖️ LIABILITY DISCLAIMER 🚫
By joining this hike, you acknowledge that you are participating at your own risk ⚠️.
Patrick Chun, organizer of both the Los Angeles Hiking Group and Happy Feet Hikers 🦶, is a volunteer organizer only and not a professional or paid guide. This is a casual and social group hike.
All liability is waived for any injuries, accidents, or damages that may occur during this event. This waiver extends to all participants and their guests 👥👫.
Please hike responsibly and stay with the group.

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✨ THIS ISN’T JUST A HIKE — IT’S AN AFTERNOON ADVENTURE UNDER THE TREES, A CHANCE TO RESET, AND A REMINDER OF WHY WE LOVE THE TRAIL.
Let the shade cool you, the views inspire you, and the journey ground you. See you on the path! 🌿🌄🌳🥾💚

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