Name: Switzer Falls [in the upper Arroyo Seco] and Bear Canyon (Angeles Nat’l Forest)
Start: 2015-06-13T08:00:00-07:00
End: 2015-06-13T11:00:00-07:00
Location: Stearns Street Park-and-ride parking lot

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DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: Moderate-to-strenuous 8 miles RT with 1,000’ of elevation gain/loss.

Our hike will begin at the lower Switzer Picnic Area parking lot and will follow a shady trail for a mile or so before emerging into the sunlight and rising to skirt a narrow gorge. The trail then drops into the Arroyo Seco a short distance downstream from Switzer Falls. We’ll follow the trail downstream to the Bear Canyon junction and then hike upstream in Bear Canyon as far as the Bear Canyon Trail Camp (if conditions permit).

PREPAREDNESS: Bring 2-3 liters/quarts of water (or other suitable liquid) and lunch/snack. Wear appropriate footwear (preferably hiking boots) and be prepared for bright sunlight (sunglasses), heat (layers of clothing), and/or precipitation (rain gear). Hiking pole(s) and a camera might come in handy.

NOTE: At the beginning of each outing you will be required to read and sign a liability release form (a sign-in sheet).

DIRECTIONS TO THE CARPOOL LOCATION IN SIMI VALLEY:

Take Hwy 118 to the Stearns Street exit in Simi Valley.

If you’re approaching FROM THE WEST, turn left onto Stearns Street [there’s a divider in the street], drive north under Hwy 118, make a U-turn at the first opportunity, drive south under Hwy 118 and turn right into the Park-and-ride lot.

If you’re approaching FROM THE EAST, turn left onto Stearns Street [there’s a divider in the street], drive south under Hwy 118 and turn right into the Park-and-ride lot.

Park and wait for the hiking leader(s) who will distribute specific driving directions.

DIRECTIONS TO THE SWITZER [Falls] PICNIC AREA PARKING LOT (for anyone who intends to meet us at the trailhead) – NOTE: You should be in the lower parking lot (see below) by 9:00 a.m.

Head east on Hwy 118 [NOTE: Turn right (south) out of the parking lot and make an immediate right turn onto the Hwy 118 on-ramp].

Drive 17.4 miles east on Hwy 118 to the junction with Interstate 210.

Head east (toward Pasadena) on Interstate 210; drive 14.1 miles to Exit #20 for the Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) heading north. NOTE: Be sure not to take Exit #19 for Hwy 2 (the Glendale Freeway) heading south toward Los Angeles.

Take Interstate 210 Exit #20 and head north (into the San Gabriel Mountains) on Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2).

Drive 9.8 miles on Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2) to the gated entrance (on your right) to the Switzer [Falls] Picnic Area Parking Lot.

NOTE: The gated picnic-area-parking-lot entrance is located 0.4 mile east of the Angeles Crest Highway’s junction with Angeles Forest Highway (the U.S. Forest Service’s Clear Creek Visitor Information Center is located on your right at the junction).

The main parking lot is 0.6 mile downhill on the paved access road, but it will be necessary to park part-way up the access road [and walk down to the main parking lot] if the main parking lot is full.

NOTE: You are required to display a U.S. Forest Service “Adventure Pass” OR a “Senior Pass” [or the older “Golden Age Passport” which was replaced by the “Senior Pass”] so that it is visible through the vehicle’s windshield.

Park and wait for the hiking leader(s).

DISCLAIMER:

The organizer(s) or leader(s) take no responsibility and will not be held responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur during any Rancho Simi Trail Blazers Club (RSTB) hike/outing. These events can be inherently dangerous and accidents will happen.

By participating voluntarily you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being and acknowledge, appreciate, and in consideration for being allowed to participate in any way you further agree:

1. The risk of injury from the many of the activities is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and

2. TO KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others and assume full responsibility for your participation; and

3. To willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, you observe any unusual significant hazard during your presence or participation, you will remove yourself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately; and

4. You, for yourself and on behalf of your heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS Rancho Simi Trail Blazers, its organizers, officers, officials, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and leasers of premises used to conduct the event ("RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Activity participant agrees that this release will apply to all known and unknown as well as unanticipated claims, injures and damages resulting from group activities, as well as those now disclosed and all rights under section 1542 of the Civil Code of California and hereby are expressly waived. Section 1542 of the Civil Code of California reads as follows:

“A general release does not extend to claims which the (participant) does not know or suspect to exist in his (or her) favor, at the time of execution of the release, which if known by him (or her) must have materially affected his (or her) (participation and agreeing to) the release.”

By participating in any group event or activity, you hereby, for yourself, your heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, your executors and administrators, waive any and all rights and claims for damages you may have against any and all entities and individuals associated with the group, their representatives, successors and assigns and will hold them harmless and free of all liability or claim of negligence related to any and all injuries, disability, illness, death, loss or damage to person or property, suffered in connection with any and all activities organized by the group.

Les Wilson

Rancho Simi Trail Blazers

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Switzer Falls [in the upper Arroyo Seco] and Bear Canyon (Angeles Nat’l Forest)

Stearns Street Park-and-ride parking lot

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Switzer Falls [in the upper Arroyo Seco] and Bear Canyon (Angeles Nat’l Forest)

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