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Did you
know that we have three great hikes right here in Santa
Clarita?
Santa Clarita Woodlands Park - Pico
Canyon
27201 Pico Canyon Road, Newhall, California, 91381
Pico Canyon, located in the northern
portion of the Santa Clarita Woodlands Park, is home to
a rich and active oil history. Explore the remaining
historic buildings of Mentryville, an oil boom town.
Pico Canyon features large valley and coast live oaks,
chaparral-dominated slopes, and views of Santa Clarita.
Santa Clarita Woodlands Park – Ed Davis
Park at Towsley Canyon
24255 The Old Road, Newhall, California
Ed Davis Park in Towsley Canyon, named
for former State Senator Ed Davis, who championed the
preservation of Towsley Canyon, offers visitors a
peaceful haven just west of the I-5 between the Santa
Clarita and San Fernando Valleys. Trails for hiking,
mountain biking, and equestrian use lead visitors
through an astonishing variety of habitat types. Notable
park features include spectacular water-worn rock
formations in Towsley Gorge, year-round Towsley Creek,
scenic trail viewpoints, and oak woodland.
Santa Clarita Woodlands Park - East
Canyon, Rice Canyon, and Michael D. Antonovich Open
Space
23801 The Old Road, Newhall, California
East and Rice
Canyons are home to the Santa Clarita Woodlands' richest
and lushest vegetation. The trailhead provides parking,
restrooms, and picnic area. A hike on the 3.8 East
Canyon trail takes one through three species of oak.
California bay laurel, California black walnut, and
bigleaf maple, up in elevation to a unusual forest of
big cone Douglas fir. The dirt fire road leads
hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians on a steady
climb to magnificent views of Santa Clarita Woodlands
Park and the Santa Clarita Valley. The trail leads
into the over 400-acre Michael D. Antonovich Open Space
which straddles the ridgeline of the Santa Susana
Mountains. Rice Canyon Loop Trail is an easy to
moderate 1.2 mile trail along Rice Creek for hikers
only.
These are maintained
by Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, a
subsidiary of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
Each provides a great look at plants and animals that
thrive in our unique Mediterranean environment.
Towsley, in
particular, affords unique possibilities. It has burned
twice in the last 10 years, giving us an opportunity to
see how ecosystems come back from this type of
“disaster”. There is a small stream for a look at
riparian communities, as well as very cool geological
stuff. This is the site of a natural oil field, and
some of the oil still exists in pools you can spot along
parts of the trails. I recommend this particular hike
for plant ecology, and birding.
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Out of Area
Latigo
Shores Drive, Malibu
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about 1 hr from COC, be careful
were you park, lots of areas are now illegal to park
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beach access: stairs at the
left end of the white condos
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just to the left there's a big
rock for zonation
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otherwise go to the right,
working your way to the point
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cobble beach w/ some
bedrock
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this is a good place
for octopus, brittle stars, owl limpets, as
well as the regulars
Flat
Rock, Palos Verdes
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Paseo del Mar off Palos Verdes
Dr West; I meet class in the parking lot at Paseo
del Mar and via Arroyo, and then take a minimum of
cars to Flat Rock - not much parking
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a longish walk down to the
beach and
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its a little tougher climbing
around on these rocks, but
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great critters and
good zonation
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nudibranchs
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Navanax
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sea cucs...
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro
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tanks are well maintained with
lots of good info
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the adjoining beach is OK too
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there is also a small wetland
which is behind a locked gate but the docent at the
aquarium will give you the key
www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org
3720 Stephen M. White Drive
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-548-7562
Cabrillo Beach Parking
$1 per hour ($9 max) for cars, $2 per hour ($15 max)
for boats and oversized vehicles.
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Guided Hikes in Santa Clarita Valley
Placerita Canyon State Park
http://www.placerita.org
Family Nature Walk
An easy, 1-hour walk exploring
the area’s natural and cultural history.
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