Hike in La Cresenta/ N. Glendale

Meet at 1:30 PM, but leave at 1:45 PM in the parking lot. This area has verdant mountains with a river we'll be hiking parallel to. You'll see the highest mountain in LA County, Mt. Lukens.

Dunsmore Canyon Trail

We're going to hike the trail to the end--Dunsmore Canyon Trail. We'll going to do a hike that is less than 2 miles RT and 700 ft. elevation change. Beginners ok. Must be in decent shape to do this.

Optional Rim of the Valley Trail

For those who want more of a workout, Simon will lead you on Rim of the Valley Trail. It is a moderately-paced 4 mile round trip, 1200' gain/loss hike.It's a narrow trail with a lot of switchbacks; it goes up above the parking lot and then turns away from the parking area and down a hill. There's one small stream crossing before the trail begins to climb up again

For the experienced hiker and mountain bicyclist. Equestrians are not permitted.
This trail links Glendale with the Rim of the Valley Trail system at Haynes
Canyon Road. Starting with gentle grades and becoming very steep in several
locations, the trail becomes more difficult as you travel north. The trail
passes through the picturesque Cooks Canyon Stream bed for several hundred feet
with its year-round running water and lush native plants. As you ascend Cooks
Canyon you cross four narrow foot bridges spanning deep ravines. This trail
features the most spectacular views of the San Fernando Valley.

Rnin cancels hike.

More info about the hikes:

http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=102

Meeting Spot:

Parking lot

Map:

http://www.lamountains.com/maps/deukmejian_map.jpg

Not many small or medium-sized cities can boast of three mountain ranges within its border, but Glendale, California, does. Stretching east and north from the San Fernando Valley, the city takes in substantial parts of the San Rafael Hills and the Verdugo Mountains, plus a small slice of the San Gabriel Mountains at the city's northern extremity. At this northernmost spot in Glendale, overlooking the foothill communities of La Crescenta and Tujunga, lies Deukmejian Wilderness Park, named after former California governor George Deukmejian. The park's 700 acres of chaparral-covered slopes are drained by two ravines with steep gradients: Cooks Canyon and Dunsmore Canyon. During the mid-20th Century, the area alongside the Dunsmore Canyon stream was used by the Le Mesnager family as a vineyard. An old stone barn at the trailhead is reminiscent of that time.

Bring warm clothes and shoes with good traction. Bring 1-2 quarts of water.

Directions: From Foothill Boulevard in Glendale, go north on New York Avenue to the dead end at Markridge Road. Turn left on Markridge Road and go 200 yards to the park entrance. Follow the entry road to the parking area.