Jewish Outdoor Adventures

Sunday, August 17, 2008:  Sandstone Peak

Leader: Lew Groner, cell number (310) 770-7962

Rating:  Intermediate

Description

Sandstone Peak is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains at 3111 feet.  This hike is 5.5 miles with 1100 feet elevation gain via a loop trail through the Circle-X Ranch.  We will take the Misha Mokwa trail to the summit, returning via the fire road and the Misha Mokwa connector.  There are some unusual rock formations along the way, such as “Balancing Rock,” “Egyptian Rock,” and “Split Rock” and possibly some water in the stream.  We will have lunch at the summit.

What to bring

2 liters of water, lunch, snacks, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, hiking boots, day-pack, warm jacket, long pants, long sleeved shirt (shorts and T shirt in warm weather).  Clothes should be loose fitting, and light-colors are preferable.

Robertson and Venice Blvd Carpool: 8:30 A.M.

Meet at the western side of the parking lot of Albertson’s supermarket, located on Venice Blvd, near Robertson Blvd (there is also an Office Max and a Starbucks Coffee in the same shopping center).  Park on the side street (Durango Ave) next to the parking lot.  This location is right next to the Robertson’s Blvd exit off of the 10 freeway.  N34.027158,-W118.393644

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=34.027158&lon=-118.393644&zoom=17&q1=34.027158%2C-118.393644

Directions

Option 1 via PCH:

Fwy 10 W to PCH (1) N past the outer reaches of Malibu.  Pass Mulholland Hwy and continue about 1.1 miles past the Ventura County Line to Yerba Buena Road.  Turn right and proceed about 5.5 miles to Circle-X Ranch headquarters.  You can make a bathroom stop here and continue 1.25 miles to the Misha Mokwa trailhead parking on the right or left sides at mile-marker 7.00 (N34.114562 W118.918161).  We will meet here at the trailhead.  Please note not to go the Sandstone Peak trailhead parking lot 1 mile on the left.

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=34.114562&lon=-118.918161&zoom=17&q1=N34.114562%20W118.918161

Option 2 via Fwy 101:

Fwy 10W to 405N to 101N to Westlake Blvd Hwy23 left, about 7 miles to Mulholland Hwy right, 0.4 miles to Little Sycamore Canyon Rd right, 1.5 miles to Yerba Buena Rd left, 2.4 miles to the trailhead at milemarker 7.00 (N34.114562 W118.918161).  Total distance from 101 is about 11.5 miles, which takes about 30 minutes.

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=34.114562&lon=-118.918161&zoom=17&q1=N34.114562%20W118.918161

Valley carpool:  8:40 A.M.

Meet in Sherman Oaks at the corner of Riverside Dr and Hazeltine Ave (between Woodman and Van Nuys Blvd).  Meet on Riverside Avenue on the south side, across from Trader Joes.  There will be no JOA representative here so form your own carpools.

http://maps.yahoo.com/map?q1=%20los%20angeles%20ca%20us&mag=5&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=34.15761&lon=-118.439999&mag=3&q1=Riverside%20Dr%20At%20Hazeltine%20Ave%2C%20Sherman%20Oaks%2C%20CA%2091423

Directions From Valley

Fwy 101N to Westlake Blvd Hwy23 left, about 7 miles to Mulholland Hwy right, 0.4 miles to Little Sycamore Canyon Rd right, 1.5 miles to Yerba Buena Rd left, 2.4 miles to the trailhead at milemarker 7.00 (N34.114562 W118.918161).

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=34.114562&lon=-118.918161&zoom=17&q1=N34.114562%20W118.918161

Trailhead time:  10:00 A.M.  We meet at the trailhead, not at the ranger station, as before.

JewishOutdoor@Yahoo.com

http://jewishoutdooradventures.com/

Sunday, July 27, 2008:  Mount Islip via Islip Saddle (rescheduled from 7/13)

This hike is 7 miles round-trip with 1500 feet elevation gain, climbing from 6750 feet to 8,250 feet. Mount Islip is one of the most prominent summits in the San Gabriel mountain range with spectacular views of the Antelope and the San Gabriel Valleys. Pine trees shade a major part of the route. We will make a stop at Little Jimmy campground and have lunch at the top.

2 liters water, lunch, snacks, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, hiking boots, daypack, jacket (it may be cool on the top). Clothes should be loose fitting, and light-colors are preferable.

Meet at the western side of the parking lot of Albertson’s supermarket, located on Venice Blvd, near Robertson Blvd (there is also an Office Max and a Starbucks Coffee in the same shopping center). Park on Durango Ave next to the parking lot. This location is right next to the Robertson’s Blvd exit off of the 10 freeway. Please share the cost of transportation and parking, if any. There will be no JOA representative here so form your own carpools.

Fwy 10 E, 7 miles to 110 N, 4 miles to 5 N, 2 miles to 2 N, 7.6 miles to 210 E, 1.2 miles to Angeles Crest Highway 2 exit. Go to traffic light and make a left (N) on highway 2. Drive about 40 miles to Islip Saddle parking area on the left (mile marker 64.10). There is a sign for the Pacific Crest Trail. There are toilets at the trailhead. Wilderness parking permit is required. Find a location to purchase one at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/passes/index.shtml

Valley carpool: 8:20 A.M.

Meet in Sherman Oaks at the corner of Riverside Dr and Hazeltine Ave (between Woodman and Van Nuys Blvd). Meet on Riverside Avenue on the south side, across from Trader Joes. There will be no JOA representative here so form your own carpools.

Fwy 101 S, 3 miles to 134 E, 9 miles to 2 N, 4.3 miles to 210 E, 1.2 miles to Angeles Crest Highway 2 exit and continue as above.

Angeles Crest Highway carpool: 8:50 A.M.

Meet on Angeles Crest Highway just north of freeway 210 on the right side (Sierra Club carpool point). There will be no JOA representative here so form your own carpools.

Yosemite High Country Camping Trip with Jewish Outdoor Adventures

Jewish Outdoor Adventures’ (JOA) premiere camping trip of the summer is its annual Labor Day weekend retreat in Yosemite ’s beautiful Tuolumne Meadows.  Join other fellow Jewish outdoor enthusiasts for a fun four-day weekend of new friendships, awe-inspiring nature, terrific hiking and renewed spirits.  All you need is a sleeping bag and tent and a desire to have a great time in Yosemite ’s pristine high country.  Everything else is provided, including gourmet-style meals.  Trip is August 29 – Sep 1.  Cost is $95 (not-for-profit) if paid by 7/27/08, $115 thereafter.

Jewish Outdoor Adventures

Current Events

Sunday, July 13, 2008: Bridge to Nowhere (rescheduled from 7/27)

Intermediate to strenuous, ten miles round trip hike with a 1000 feet elevation gain.

Sunday, July 27, 2008: Mount Islip via Islip Saddle (rescheduled from 7/13)

Sunday, August 17, 2008: Sandstone Peak

An intermediate hike of 5.5 miles with 1100 feet elevation gain.

Thursday-Monday 8/28-9/1: Tuolumne Meadows camping trip

Complete details to be sent soon.

Sunday, September 14, 2008: To be announced

Sunday, September 28, 2008: To be announced

Sunday, October 12, 2008: Mount San Jacinto

Strenuous 12 miles round trip, 2300 feet elevation gain to the 2^nd highest summit in Southern California