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This is a big one. Our hike begins on the grass and sagebrush-covered
TEMESCAL RIDGE. The ridge enables sweeping views of Santa Monica Bay,
the sprawling civilization of Los Angeles and the loftier San Gabriel
Mountains.
After tourist stops at CATHEDRAL ROCK and TEMESCAL PEAK we'll swing by
THE HUB and arrive at our first destination: EAGLE SPRINGS. _Not many
people visit the spring and the trail is sure to be overgrown_. After
passing the remains of a wooden water tank we'll arrive at a creek and
the spring, surrounded by oak trees -- and maybe some poison oak.
EAGLE SPRINGS IS THE SOURCE FOR SANTA YNEZ CREEK & FALLS
On the way to GARAPITO CANYON we'll stop at EAGLE ROCK, the most
impressive landmark in all of Topanga State Park. It will afford US an
airy perch overlooking the upper watershed of SANTA YNEZ CANYON and
the ocean beyond. We will snack and explore on this impressive
sandstone rock covered with crevices and caves.
After our snack break we'll descend the narrow GARAPITO TRAIL cutting
a sinuous course through mature chaparral -- mostly mountain mahogany
and ceanothus up to 20 feet tall. The blossoms of the ceanothus exude
an attractive wild honey scent in spring. Tunneling through the tall
brush, the trail eventually switchbacks down to the sycamore-shaded
CANYON BOTTOM, crossing two forks of GARAPITO CREEK and then contours
a short distance over to an east fork.
The climb out of Garapito Canyon will bring us back to Temescal Ridge
as we complete the loop and head back to the cars whence we came.
Hike is about 13 miles with 2,400' total ascent. As you may have noted
there are a few stops on this hike (not necessarily snacking stops).
I'll try to break them up and we may not do them in the order given in
hike description. These stops are:
_Cathedral Rock
TEMESCAL PEAK
The Hub
EAGLE SPRINGS
Eagle Rock_
DIRECTIONS
From Sunset Boulevard, half a mile east of PCH, head north on
Palisades Drive. After 3.3 miles, continue straight on Chastain
Parkway for another half a mile. Turn right on Via Las Palmas, and
drive two short blocks past Via La Costa up to the public trailhead
parking on the left. There are restrooms at the trailhead
_The Organizers and members in this group are not professional
leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or
organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a
trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her
own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this
group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring
are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the
activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers
and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the
Organizers, Members of the Hiking With Dean Meetup Group from and
against any and all liability arising from your participation in the
group activities per the ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER._
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17/12/2018 Last update