Deke Williams - Best Easy Day Hikes San Fernando Valley

Best Easy Day Hikes Series

Best Easy Day Hikes San Fernando Valley

Deke Williams

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Every effort has been made by the author and editors to make this guide as accurate and useful as possible. However, many things can change after a guide is publishedtrails are rerouted, regulations change, facilities come under new management, etc.

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Copyright 2010 by Morris Book Publishing, LLC

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, P.O. Box 480, Guilford CT, 06437.

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Project editor: Julie Marsh

Layout artist: Kevin Mak

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data

Williams, Deke.

Best easy day hikes, San Fernando Valley / Deke Williams.

p. cm. -- (FalconGuides)

ISBN 978-1-4930-0553-6

1. Hiking--California--San Fernando Valley--Guidebooks. 2. Trails--California--San Fernando Valley--Guidebooks. 3. San Fernando Valley (Calif.)--Guidebooks. I. Title.

GV199.42.C22S268 2009

917.94'930454--dc22

2009030644

The author and Globe Pequot Press assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book.

Contents

The Hikes

Introduction

For such an urbanized area, the San Fernando Valley is home to an amazingly large number of outdoor recreational opportunities. Of the many activities enjoyed here, hiking is perhaps the most popular, thanks to favorable year-round weather and an abundance of great hiking areas. With the Valley surrounded by thousands of acres of natural land, excellent hikes are available in just about every direction, and one never needs to drive more than a half hour from the Valleys center to find them.

Helping to make the Valley such an ideal hiking destination is the varied geography of the region. The Santa Monica Mountains form the southern boundary of the Valley, and they alone contain enough worthy hikes to warrant their own separate guidebook. With the inclusion of the Simi Hills to the west, the Santa Susana Mountains to the north, and the San Gabriel and Verdugo Mountains to the north and east, it is no surprise that the San Fernando Valley is the preeminent hub of hiking in Southern California.

Featured within these pages are nineteen of the best easy day hikes in and around the San Fernando Valley. Great hikes within all of the surrounding natural lands have been included, not only to present the diversity of this part of Southern California, but also to provide an introductory sample of each area for those who wish to explore beyond the hikes featured in this book. In keeping with the theme of this guide, all of the hikes are relatively noncommitting and suitable for hikers of all experience levels. All of the hikes were chosen with families in mind, though some have more demanding options available to those looking for more of a challenge.

Weather

The San Fernando Valley is fortunate to have favorable year-round hiking conditions, but there is certainly a time when hiking here is most enjoyable. This time is usually from late winter through spring, though it can extend on either side depending on the weather patterns that year. This season is ideal because mild temperatures and recent rains leave trails dust-free and surrounded by lush vegetation. The air quality is also at its best during this time, meaning youll breathe easier plus have spectacular views along the way. Sunny days with temperatures in the 60s are the norm during these months, but be sure to check the forecast on the day of your hike and dress accordingly.

Hiking in the summer can be enjoyable as well, but timing your hike during the cooler morning or evening hours is recommended. Midday summer temperatures can reach over 100F at most of the featured hike locations, so be sure to carry extra water if you must hike during this time. You should also get acclimated to the hot weather by beginning with short, easy hikes in the heat before attempting any longer or more challenging ones. Hot weather can make even the easiest hike in this book a taxing test of survival if you are not prepared.

Land Management

Besides the great weather, the San Fernando Valley is fortunate to have many organizations working toward the maintenance and preservation of the surrounding wildlands. These are not easy tasks, considering that the Valley is one of the most populated areas in the United States, and the surrounding natural lands are constantly under threat from overuse and encroaching development.

The most renowned of these organizations is the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which oversees the area and helps to acquire and preserve land for outdoor recreation. The majority of hikes in this book fall under the management of this group, or one of their affiliates, and a few restrictions apply to their land. Generally, the parklands are closed from sunset until sunrise, and they do not allow smoking, fires, alcoholic beverages, littering, unauthorized vehicle use, or the damaging or defacing of property. Exceptions or additional restrictions are usually listed at the trailhead information kiosks located near the parking areas for each hike.

Two of the hikes featured in this book take place within the Angeles National Forest, where fewer restrictions are in place. Contact the rangers office to learn the specific restrictions for these hikes and to obtain an Adventure Pass, which is required to park at certain areas within the national forest. Contact information can be found in the specs for each hike.

As the manager of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which includes the Cheeseboro Canyon hike in this book, the National Park Service deserves mention here as well. The SMMNRA is the worlds largest urban national park, comprising 153,075 acres. Devoted to preserving, restoring, and learning from the land, the NPS has had their work cut out for them since becoming involved in the area in 1978. Their Visitor Center, located in Thousand Oaks, has many historic and cultural exhibits on display, making it a worthwhile stop if you are in the area. Visit www.nps.gov/samo for more information.