7th and 3rd Anniversary Hike & Potluck Party -- The Brentwood Connection

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By coincidence the group known as the Best Hikes of SoCal was founded on the same day of the year as Hiking With Dean in 2011. And since I am their new Organizer it only makes sense to celebrate their 3rd Anniversary at the same time. Its been 7 and 3 years and an unknown number of miles.....Time to celebrate! Like last year the Nike Missile base observation tower on San Vicente Mountain will provides a great location for for our Anniversary Hike. We'll also be treated to spectacular views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the Los Angeles Basin to the ocean.

http://youtu.be/Xh-ExP0STFc

This 5-mile loop with 600 feet of net elevation gain makes for an excellent moderate hike along and around Mandeville Canyon and its ridges.

Its about 45 minutes to the top. I am starting the hike late for those that feel guilty about imbibing in the morning.

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It will also provide time for last minute grocery shopping. There are picnic benches and facilities by the tower. No need to carry trash out.

Tarzana Trailhead Option - If you are coming from the San Fernando or Conejo Valleys you may want to check out our sister hike, The Tarzana Connection (https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/events/178790122/)

Bring food/snacks and drink to share. Count on me to bring some white wine and red Solo cups. I will also bring enough napkins, plates and plasticware for everyone. Please post in Comments section below what you will be bringing

Along the way we will experience in the following order:

Mandeville Canyon - a north-south notch in the Santa Monica Mountains

Westridge - we will climb a DWP service road out of the canyon to Westridge enjoying views of Canyonback Ridge and the San Gabriels to the east and the ocean behind us

San Vicente Mountain - Site of of the old Nike Missile base where we will enjoy our potluck atop an observation tower and picnic benches

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Canyonback Ridge - here there is both a gradual fire road and a more adventurous single-track heading down the ridge. Guess which path we will take

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Hollyhock Trail - There are nice views up and down the lush canyon as we descend 500 feet over 3/4 miles. A small sycamore grove at the bottom of this trail segues into the houses along Mandeville Canyon Road and back to the cars

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Directions to Trailhead

From Sunset Boulevard, 2.3 miles west of the 405 freeway, head north on Mandeville Canyon Road. Drive 4.8 miles, and turn left onto Garden Land Road. The trailhead is at end of road.

Parking Tip: There won't be any parking left on Garden Land (its a very short residential street, as the map reveals) so don't bother trying. Instead park on west (left) side of Mandeville as close to the corner as possible

There are neighborhood homes around the trailhead, please keep noise to a minimum.....until hike starts ;)

Trivia: Did you know Mandeville Canyon Rd is reputed to be the longest paved dead-end road in Los Angeles?

The Organizers and members of Hiking With Dean are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Hiking With Dean Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities per our ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER and Section 6.2 of the Meetup.com Terms of Service.