Sisar Canyon to White Ledge Camp HIKE (Los Padres National Forest)

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DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: Moderate-to-strenuous 9 miles round trip with 2,000’ of elevation gain/loss.

Our hike will begin on a shaded dirt fire road (4N15) which follows a creek upstream for a while before emerging into the sunlight as it climbs up toward the Topatopa ridge in the Los Padres National Forest, providing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Ojai Valley. We’ll leave the dirt road and follow the Red Reef Trail the final mile to shady White Ledge Camp which is situated between two creeks among towering conifers.

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 Madera Road exit in Simi Valley.

Head south 1.4 miles on Madera Road to its intersection with Royal Avenue (there’s a traffic light at the intersection).

Turn left (east) onto Royal Avenue and then immediately turn left into the first driveway (which leads into a strip mall) and park near the Donut Delite store.

Wait for the hiking leader(s).

DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAILHEAD FROM SIMI VALLEY (for anyone who intends to meet us at the trailhead) – NOTE: You should be at the trailhead (see below) by 9:00 a.m.

Head west (toward Moorpark) on Hwy 118 to the New Los Angeles Avenue (Highway 118) exit.

Head west 1.0 mile on New Los Angeles Avenue (Hwy 118) to Moorpark Road (Highway 23).

Turn right (north) on Moorpark Road (Hwy 23) and drive 11.3 miles to its intersection with Hwy 126 in Fillmore.

Turn left (west) on Hwy 126 and drive 8.75 miles to the 10th Street (Hwy 150) exit in Santa Paula.

Drive north/northwest through downtown Santa Paula and continue 8.8 miles on Hwy 150 to Sisar Road [NOTE: It’s easy to miss it, so be vigilant – there’s a general store with a good-size parking lot on your right (the north side of the highway) just as you reach Sisar Road].

Turn right (north) on Sisar Road and drive 0.6 mile until you reach two large water tanks on the left (west) side of the road.

NOTE: If you aren’t driving a 4WD vehicle, you might consider parking near the two water tanks and hiking the remaining 0.4 mile along the dirt road to the trailhead.

Otherwise, continue driving north 0.4 mile on Sisar Road to the trailhead.

Park your vehicle 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.