Note - Due to the secret trails, this hike is for VIPs Only. Not a VIP? Join today at http://vip.hikingwithdean.com .
I will take you through Ape City, where the simian metropolis introduced in the original Planet of the Apes (1968) starring Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall.
Please respect the privacy of the City's residents on this Valentine's Day
The City is gone now so you will have to use your imaginations, but here are some juxtaposed pics to help. Perhaps those of you who know the trails will recognize some of the spots.
Ape City is not totally gone. There is one artifact hidden behind some bushes. I've pointed it out many times during our hikes here. For the first time I am posting a film still of "The Cage:"
As an added bonus we'll be taking my MCSP secret trails. One I call the Overlook Bypass, is the Top Secret trail, the other the Cage Creek Elevator. They are short but steep.
The Overlook Bypass is overgrown (no one uses it but us!). Wear good-gripping shoes. A trekking pole might come in handy on the steep uphills
We'll also take a side trip to a vista of Malibou Lake.
Our hike starts at the old Reagan Ranch
Hike is a loop of about 5-6 miles with moderate elevation gain (a little less than 1000' total ascent). However much of the gain takes place in short distances. This hike will be too strenuous for beginners. Adventurous moderate VIP hikers will be ok
The Old Reagan Ranch parking lot is on the Southeast corner of Cornell Rd and Mullholland Hwy
From the Ventura Freeway (US 101) in Agoura take the Kanan Road offramp and turn south. Follow Kanan, turn left on Cornell Way, bear right onto Cornell Road for a couple miles, cross Mulholland and turn left into Reagan Ranch.
From PCH/Santa Monica turn right onto Malibu Canyon for 6.3 miles then turn left onto Mulholland Hwy. After 3.2 miles turn left onto Lake Vista Dr (Cornell Rd). Turn left into Reagan Ranch
