Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Hike Millard Canyon May 19

Meadows residents have been invited to a hike through Millard Canyon on May 19th.  The Arroyo & Foothills Conservancy has a bid in on purchasing the acreage.

Here's the announcement:

Hike Millard Canyon on May 19

Ten years ago the Arroyos & Foothills (AFC) made a run at saving 13 acres in beautiful lower Millard Canyon.  They teamed up with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and bid $50,000 more than its appraised value to try to buy it at auction. It was heartbreaking to lose to someone who wanted to build homes in the canyon.

Never again! Ten years later and we have another chance. The owner has offered AFC the property on favorable terms. Let's not let this land get away!

Come see this seldom-hiked canyon on Saturday, May 19. Choose from four hikes: 9:00, 10:30, 12:00 or 1:30.

The habitat is top notch; the stream runs year-round; trees cover the whole route.

Docents expert in biology, geology, history or hydrology will guide us. Learn how the Altadena Crest Trail will be extended through the ‘La Vina gap’.

Directions:

Meet at the Altadena Community Garden. Take the 210 north to the Lincoln Avenue turnoff and go north to the corner of Lincoln and Palm (3330 N. Lincoln Ave. Altadena). We’ll be shuttled to the Millard campground parking lot and then we’ll hike down the canyon to Canyon Crest Road. The route is less than a mile and a half long, but somewhat rugged. The hike itself will take 1-1/2 to 2 hours. We’ll be shuttled back to the Community Garden for refreshments and to learn about this opportunity to save this remarkable place.

Suggestions: 

Wear a long sleeve shirt and pants because there’s poison oak along parts of the route.

Wear sturdy hiking shoes because much of the route is with faint or no trail and there’s boulder hopping at several stream crossings.

Consider hiking poles for those crossings.

Rattlesnakes are beginning to come out – be alert.

This is not a hike for dogs.

Bring garden gloves if you’d like to remove a few invasive plants along the way.



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