"Pop-Up Hike" for Saturday Morning - Newhall (again!)

Where: Gates Wildlife Preserve/Newhall Open Space – Newhall CA

Sorry for the last minute posting, but I saw Saturday morning was available to post an early hike (on what's going to be a hot day) - so here it is:

We’ve hiked in this area recently. But not this particular trail. It's going to be hot Saturday – so we’ll need to start early, and end early. We’ll explore a different trail than we’ve recently done. This trail is NOT a beginner trail, since more than half of it is steep and rises sharply 620 feet to overlook both the 14 and 5 freeway interchange and the San Fernando Valley to the south and east, and a commanding view of Santa Clarita to the north.
Much of the hillside is steep and is eroded from downhill mountain bikers, so wear appropriate hiking boots with good soles - and bring your hiking poles (and water). Flowers are few this time of the year, so we’ll look for snakes, horned toads, lizards and other critters.
The trail starts out as a dirt road with minor elevation increase, but then we start heading up a steep hill climb to the top.

Beginner hikers should NOT come to this unless you want a workout. **Hiking poles and good hiking boots (no tennis shoes) are highly recommended, and minimum of 2-3 liters of water (with electrolytes!). Hats and sun screen are essential – there is NO shade or cover for more than 90% of the distance.

By start time at 7:00 am, it will be 65-70 degrees, and by finish time (no later than 10 am) – it will be 80+ degrees.

Dogs are NOT welcome at this event due to heat, rattlesnakes and the hill climb (sorry!).

This hike will be paced at a moderate pace suitable for intermediate hikers. If you have any medical issues or concerns, or don't do well with heat and steep climbs, think twice before signing up please.

Come enjoy the quite local area, with views of hillsides with large oak trees along the way. If we have time (and the temperature is not yet too hot, we can take an additional trail for some additional mileage and elevation – but we’ll have to call that at that time.

We’ll take a 15 minute max break at the top of the trail (known as Edison Road lookout) for water, views and pictures – then back down before it gets too hot.

Stats:
Minimum 3.1 miles (unless we decide to explore another 2 mile loop)
Elevation: 620 feet minimum.
Starting temperature at 7:00 am: 65-70 degrees
Ending temperature at 10:00 am: 80-85 degrees

Its located at the very southern end of Pine Street, just off Newhall Avenue, so it’s easy to get to. Go south on Pine. The asphalt will turn to dirt. Keep going until you see a sign and gate at the Gates Preserve (part of the Newhall Open Space area). You can’t miss it.

Hike organizer(s): Gary S

Recommended for: Level 3 Hikers (Intermediates): 5-10 miles, less than 1000-2000 feet elevation gain.
We use this scale, so you can rate your own abilities and pick the right hike for you. DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS HIKE IF YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL CONDITION, OR PHYSICAL AILMENT THAT MIGHT COMPROMISE YOUR ABILITY TO CLIMB UP THIS FAIRLY STEEP TRAIL.

• Beginner: 1-3 miles, less than 500 feet elevation gain.
• Beginner/Intermediate: 1-7 miles, less than 700 feet elevation gain.
• Intermediate: 5-10 miles, 1000-2000 feet elevation gain.
• Intermediate/Advanced: 7-12 miles, up to 3000 feet elevation gain.
• Advanced: 10-17 miles, 3000 feet or more elevation gain.

Unfortunately, we do not allow registered hikers on an event to bring a guest since they often don’t see this hike description. Anyone that wishes to hike with the group must join the group (it’s free), and read the full hike description and verify that the hike is within your capabilities.

The Newhall Pass Open Space covers 540 acres and was purchased by the City of Santa Clarita in 2016. It serves as an important wildlife corridor between Interstate 5 and the 14 Freeway.
The Gates Family Wildlife Preserve is located at the southern end of Pine Street in Newhall and is located 23980 Pine St, Newhall, CA 91321. Turn off of Newhall Avenue, going southbound on Pine Street until the road literally ends at the entrance to the Gates Family Wildlife Preserve. Park outside the gates. Parking is free.

How to get to the trailhead:
Click on this what3words URL get a map from your location to the trailhead:
https://w3w.co/jetting.outrages.watercress
https://w3w.co/jetting.outrages.watercress
Choose NAVIGATE once there, and it will offer you the option of either Google Map or Apple Map directions from your location to this location. You do NOT need the what3words app on your phone (although we recommend it highly)

Trail GPS Track (see the trail we're hiking):
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/uU04C2EUZUWOE7xSYwOmBkNh
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/uU04C2EUZUWOE7xSYwOmBkNh)

NAVIGATION: For ALL hikes, we highly recommend you use a GPS software app on your cell phone. We recommend either GAIA GPS and AllTrails. Some prefer one or the other, but either could save your life and keep you from getting lost on a hike. Use one of them! Note: we’ll be scheduling learning meetups to learn how to use these effectively.

We rely on donations to continue sponsoring hikes like this. Please contribute by donating via cash contribution (at each hike).

**[The Ten Essentials of Hiking (link)
https://americanhiking.org/resources/10essentials/

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY - IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
When you sign up for this event, you are releasing SCVHikers from any liability or responsibility with your participation in this group activity. While safety is a priority for everyone in the group, hiking can be inherently risky. By participating in any posted event, you are assuming responsibility for your own safety and well-being. SCVHikers Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders, and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in our events. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any SCVHikers Meetup events, you are releasing SCVHikers Meetup Group and hike organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries or death as stated in paragraph 6.2 of the Meetup “Terms of Service” located on the bottom of the Meetup website. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience. If you sign up for this hike, you are verifying that this hike is within your abilities.