Newsletter of the Santa Clarita Sierra Club, a group of the Angeles Chapter, online at angeles.sierraclub.org/scv

Transcription

1 March 2015 Newsletter of the Santa Clarita Sierra Club, a group of the Angeles Chapter, online at angeles.sierraclub.org/scv Environmental Workshop to be held at Loyola Law School By Dave Morrow The Sierra Club s 8 th Annual Environmental Law Workshop will be held on March 21 st at Loyola Law School. This workshop is free and is co-sponsored by the Loyola Law School Environmental Law Society. It will be a day of training for activists with emphasis on timely subjects, including oil production and fracking, local anti-fracking ordinances, a review of California state laws regarding oil production and fracking, lessons learned from the fight over the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and the hazards of transporting oil by rail. Several of these topics are of ongoing concern to residents of the Santa Clarita Valley. Please consider attending if you are concerned about the potential hazards of fracking in our community. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Notes from the Chair 2 Pinnacles National Park 3 Schedule of Hikes and Events 4-7 The Santa Clarita Group rings in the New Year with its annual Calorie Burner Hike up the Los Pinetos Trail. This year s hike was renamed the Henry Schultz Memorial Calorie Burner in honor of the Group s longtime leader and good friend.

2 Notes from the Chair By Dave Morrow This past December 21 our Santa Clarita Sierra Club Group had its most memorable Holiday Brunch ever, with a special celebration of the life and work of the late Henry Shultz, our longtime friend and leader. It was a fine day with a large crowd of Henry s friends, many not associated with the Sierra Club, attending. Robin and I had enjoyed chatting with several of Henry s friends we had not met before. I want to give special thanks to Louise Schultz for graciously opening her home to us. I also want to thank all the members of our Santa Clarita Group who assisted with setup and cleanup and for bringing some extra dishes to share. The entire event was a fine sendoff for Henry who always enjoyed a good party. The Climate Circle Our management team (or ExComm) met in January and elected new officers for I am returning as Chair, Sandra Cattell is now our Vice-Chair, Katherine Squires is Secretary, Ken Kerner is Treasurer, Ray Lorme is Outings Chair, Lynne Plambeck is Conservation Chair, Sandra is Political Chair and our representative to the Chapter ExComm, and Kate Okamoto is Membership Chair. We have a strong group this year and I look forward to working with all of them on the important environmental issues facing our community. The proposed Cemex mega-mine on the east side of Santa Clarita is one of these issues that I hope will finally be resolved this year. A bill to stop the mine passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year but failed at the last minute in the Senate. Rep. Steve Knight, newly elected from the 25 th Congressional District, said that a new bill passed to stop the mine is a priority for him and the Sierra Club will be there to help get this done. Our own Sandra Cattell has worked diligently on this issue for years, going to Washington, working with our elected officials, to find a solution. Thank you, Sandra. Sierra Club members at our Holiday Brunch Spring is a busy season for our group, with many hikes planned (check out our Schedule of Hikes and Events elsewhere in this newsletter) and our annual tabling at the Santa Clarita Earth/Arbor Day on April 11 and at the Placerita Nature Center Open House on May 9. This year we also will be tabling, for the first time, at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival on April 18. I hope to see you at these fun events, and also on the trail. I have again placed the Climate Symbol in my notes to draw attention to the threat of climate change. A documentary, Merchants of Doubt, based on the book of the same name by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, was released this month, and details the incredible spin used by professional naysayers, hired by corporate-associated groups, to promote doubt regarding the veracity of the science behind global warming predictions. It has received very good reviews and I plan to arrange a showing of the film at one of our monthly meetings once it is released on DVD. More Sierra Club members at the Holiday Brunch

3 Canyon Connection Page 3 A Visit to Pinnacles National Park By Ken Kerner Recently, my wife Kathy and I had the opportunity to visit Pinnacles National Park located in central California about 45 minutes northeast of King City. Pinnacles was proclaimed a national monument in 1908 and elevated to national park status in The park is effectively divided into an east side and a west side as there is no road through the park connecting both sides. Most of the activity and hiking take place on the east side where the visitor s center is located, along with a tent campground and RV campground. The road into the east side eventually forks leading to two trailheads. On the first of our two days there we chose the Moss Spring-Rim Loop Trail, a three mile hike that takes you through Bear Gulch Cave. This is a talus cave (created when boulders formed a roof over a narrow canyon) and home to a protected bat species (Townsend's big-eared bat, editor s note). At the top of this trail is the small, picturesque Bear Gulch Reservoir where the endangered California red-legged frog is making a comeback. On our second we hiked the Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave and continued on the adjoining trail over to the west side. Balconies Cave is also a talus cave. The west side consists of only a parking lot and picnic area. One of the highlights of our second day was sighting a California condor. Pinnacles National Park encompasses over 26,000 acres with 16,000 designated as Wilderness. It is a small national park, (the smallest national park is Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas at 5550 acres, editor s note) mostly chaparral with some woodlands, but also with massive monoliths and sheer-walled canyons. Geologically speaking, it is very scenic. The facilities on the east side badly need upgrading to meet national park standards. We were told that there are plans for a new visitor center, when funding becomes available. Pinnacles is our nation s newest national park. The Canyon Connection is a publication of the Santa Clarita Sierra Club Group, Monterey Ave., Valencia, CA Published March, July, November Monthly Meeting & Program 2nd Thursday each month at 7:30 p.m. (except Aug. & Dec.) St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, meet in lounge on upper level, enter on E. Side, facing RiteAid/O'Reilly's parking lot, opposite main church entrance. Visitors are welcome! Information: Dave (661) Opinions expressed herein are those of the individual writers and do not reflect official Sierra Club policy unless expressly stated as such. Editor: Dave Morrow dlrchmorrow@sbcglobal.net More photos from our special Holiday Brunch to celebrate the life of Henry Schultz.

4 Page 4 Canyon Connection Schedule of Hikes and Events Everyone is Welcome Saturday, March 7, 2015, 9:00 AM Burkhart Punchbowl Trail Hike Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91387, USA Moderate 7 mi rt, 1200' gain to the Devil's Chair and Holcomb Cyn. Spectacular scenery, high desert, pine forest area. One hour drive to trailhead. Meet 9 am Canyon Country rideshare ( Von's Sand Canyon parking lot by the Soledad side) Bring water, lunch, lugsoles. Rain cancels. Leaders Ken Kerner ( ) Gaylon Rodin ( ) Thursday, March 12, 2015, 7:30 PM Monthly Meeting Location: St. Stephen s Episcopal Church on Orchard Village Rd just ½ block N of Lyons. Topic: Don Mullally, local conservationist, with speak on backyard ecology of the western fence lizard. Sunday, March 15, 2015, 9:00 AM New Santa Clarita Open Space Hike Raymond Lorme rlorme@aol.com The Old Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91381, USA O: Easy 3-4 mile Hike in new Open Space area adjacent to Towsley Canyon. Beautiful Oak tree filled canyons and rolling hills. Meet at 9 AM at the Santa Clarita Rideshare outside the gate to Towsley Canyon( Exit at Calgrove off the 5 freeway, head south to entrance.) Bring water, snack, and good hiking shoes. Rain cancels. Sunday, March 29, 2015, 9:30 AM Quigley Canyon Open Space Hike Raymond Lorme rlorme@aol.com Cleardale Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, USA O: Easy 2-3 mile hike through Oaks and grasslands in the heart of the valley. Excellent hike for newcomers and Little Hikers in beautiful setting in Newhall. Meet at trailhead. Exit on 13th St off of Railroad Ave crossing the railroad tracks.!3th Street changes to Arch St. which then becomes Placerita. Continue on Placerita and take left on Quigley Canyon Rd.(after baseball diamond) and a right on Cleardale St. to Trailhead Parking. Bring water and snack. Rain cancels. Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 7:00 PM Mission Peak Moonlight Conditioning Hike Neon Way, Granada Hills, CA 91344, USA O: Moderate 5 mile, 1200' gain to view San Fernando Valley. Meet 7 PM at Neon Way trailhead. Exit on Balboa Ave off 118 Freeway N 2 miles to Sesnon, W 1 mi to Neon Way, R to end of street. Bring water, lugsoles, flashlight. Sierra Club Waiver All Sierra Club outings require that you sign an Acknowledgment of Outing Member Responsibility, Express Assumption of Risk, and Release of Liability before participating. If a minor participates then the minor s guardian must sign on the minor s behalf.

5 Canyon Connection Page 5 Schedule of Hikes and Events-continued Thursday, April 9, 2015, 7:30 PM Monthly Meeting Location: St. Stephen s Episcopal Church on Orchard Village Rd just ½ block N of Lyons. Topic: TBA Sunday, April 26, 2015, 9:00 AM Bear Divide to Walker Ranch Hike Angeles National Forest, Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, CA 91321, USA O: Moderate 9 mi, 1000 ft gain, 1500 ft loss along ridge between San Fernando/ Santa Clarita Valleys. Meet 9 AM at Walker Ranch entrance to Placerita Park. Take I-5 N to 14 Freeway, exit Placerita Cyn Rd, go south to gated Walker Ranch Entrance ( app 1.7 mi past main entrance to Park) Park here, do not block gate, 20 min car shuttle to trailhead. Wildflowers and ferns along shaded northern slopes, full exposure along ridge with great views. Bring water, lunch, hat, and lug soles. Rain Cancels Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 7:00 PM Mission Peak Moonlight Conditioning Hike Neon Way, Granada Hills, CA 91344, USA O: Moderate 5 mile, 1200' gain to view San Fernando Valley. Meet 7 PM at Neon Way trailhead. Exit on Balboa Ave off 118 Freeway N 2 miles to Sesnon, W 1 mi to Neon Way, R to end of street. Bring water, lugsoles, flashlight. Thursday, May 14, 2015, 7:30 PM Monthly Meeting Location: St. Stephen s Episcopal Church on Orchard Village Rd just ½ block N of Lyons. Topic: TBA Sunday, May 17, 2015, 8:00 AM Liebre Mtn (5791') Hike Matthew Lax matthewlax@juno.com Westinghouse Place, Santa Clarita, CA 91355, USA O: Moderate 6 mi, 1700' elevation gain on the PCT in the northwest corner of the Angeles National Forest. Hike through pine forests with great views of Antelope Valley and other Mtn ranges. Quiet and secluded area of the forest. Meet 8 AM at N Valencia Rideshare (take I-5 N exit 126/ Newhall Ranch Rd, take right to 1st light (Vanderbuilt Way), R to Westinghouse Pl, park on street by Embassy Suites) Caravan 1 hour to trailhead. Bring water, lunch, lugsoles. Rain cancels. The mountains are calling and I must go. John Muir

6 Page 6 Canyon Connection Schedule of Hikes and Events-continued Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 7:00 PM Mission Peak Moonlight Conditioning Hike Neon Way, Granada Hills, CA 91344, USA O: Moderate 5 mile, 1200' gain to view San Fernando Valley. Meet 7 PM at Neon Way trailhead. Exit on Balboa Ave off 118 Freeway N 2 miles to Sesnon, W 1 mi to Neon Way, R to end of street. Bring water, lugsoles, flashlight. Saturday, June 6, 2015, 8:30 AM Whitney Canyon Hike Sandra Cattell sumcatt@yahoo.com Newhall Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, USA Easy 3 mile, 200' gain in shady park along the north slope of the San Gabriel Mts. Beautiful oak trees, small water falls, and an oil seep spring. Great hike for beginners and little hikers. Meet at 8:30 at south end of Newhall Ave. Take I-5 N to 14 Fwy( Antelope Valley Fwy), exit Newhall Ave, R to carpool area. Bring water and snack. Leaders Sandra Cattell and Gaylon Rodin Thursday, June 11, 2015, 7:30 PM Monthly Meeting Location: St. Stephen s Episcopal Church on Orchard Village Rd just ½ block N of Lyons. Topic: Outings meeting to plan hike schedule and other events. All hike leaders and potential hike leaders are urged to attend. Saturday, June 20, 2015, 3:00 PM Mt Pinos Potluck Dinner Hike Westinghouse Place, Santa Clarita, CA 91355, USA Easy 4 mi RT, 500' gain hike to Mt Pinos (8847), the highest peak in Ventura County. Potluck dinner at summit and back to trailhead by dark. Come enjoy the summer solstice. Meet 3 PM in North Valencia by Embassy Suites. TakeI-5 N, exit 126/ Newhall Ranch Rd, take right at exit to 1st light ( Vanderbuilt Way ), R to Westinghouse, turn R and park on street or 4PM at Mt Pinos parking lot. Bring water, plate, eating and serving utensils, a main dish for yourself and a side dish or desert to share. Bring jacket, flashlight and Adventure pass. Thursday, June 25, 2015, 9:00 AM Ventura Beach Walk Westinghouse Place, Valencia, CA 91355, USA O: Join us on a mid week break. Easy 4 mile walk on level ground. We will walk from San Buenaventura State Beach to the Santa Clara river estuary. We will loop through downtown Ventura with a stop for lunch TBD. This is a easy walk on a nice cool day away from the desert heat. Meet at the Santa Clarita Rideshare on Westinghouse. Take I-5 N, exit 126/ Newhall Ranch, take right to Vanderbuilt, R to Westinghouse by Embassy Suites. Leaders Mary Ellen Dittemore and Ken Kerner.

7 Canyon Connection Page 7 Schedule of Hikes and Events-continued Wednesday, July 1, 2015, 7:00 PM Mission Peak Moonlight Conditioning Hike Neon Way, Granada Hills, CA 91344, USA O: Moderate 5 mile, 1200' gain to view San Fernando Valley. Meet 7 PM at Neon Way trailhead. Exit on Balboa Ave off 118 Freeway N 2 miles to Sesnon, W 1 mi to Neon Way, R to end of street. Bring water, lugsoles, flashlight. Sierra Pelona Ridge on a cool January day. Easy hike up Whitney Canyon on a warm January day.

8 Page 8 Canyon Connection Santa Clarita Group Sierra Club Monterey Ave Valencia, CA Phone: (661) To Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet We re on the Web! Visit us at: angeles.sierraclub.org/scv dlrchmorrow@sbcglobal.net Santa Clarita Sierra Club Monterey Ave. Valencia, CA Customer Name Street Address City, ST ZIP Code