Temescal Canyon to Skull Rock

Spectacular Views of Surrounding Canyons and Amazing Red Rock Formations

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Time:  9:30 am
Near:  Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Distance:  6.25 miles round trip
Difficulty:  Moderate
Elevation:  1000 feet
Hike Time:  4 1/2 hours
Trail Type:  Trail
Hike Type:  Loop

Summary: Temescal Canyon is a great Santa Monica Mountains sampler. You get an oak and sycamore shaded canyon, a seasonal waterfall and terrific views from the ridge crest. The loop starts out on Temescal Ridge Trail, climbing almost 1,000 feet in the first mile. At the intersection with Temescal Canyon Trail, we will take the half-mile side trip to Skull Rock, aptly named for its shape. We will continue on the ridge trail for another ½ mile for more terrific views. We will return to Skull Rock for lunch while enjoying the views.

Trailhead: From Santa Monica, drive north on Pacific Coast Highway 1 to Temescal Canyon Road and turn right. Drive approximately 1.1 miles until you reach Sunset Blvd. There is plenty of parking on the street. Enter Temescal Gateway Park and stay on the left. We will meet at the tables near the restrooms covered in stone.

What to Bring:  Good hiking boots/shoes. A hiking/trekking pole may be useful for the occasional step ascent/descent on the trail, but not necessary. Pack a lunch, snacks and bring plenty of water. Bring a hat/cap and sunscreen.

Carpooling:  Contact other members to carpool; share the conversation and travel expenses.

Hike Leader:  Robert Roxbury. If you have any questions, please call at 805-279-9450 or email R3rguy@aol.com

Huntington Library and Gardens

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Time: 10:00 AM

The Orange County/Long Beach chapter will be hosting a day trip to the Huntington Library for a day of beauty and fun. The Huntington is world renowned for its research library, botanical gardens and art collection.

The Huntington is one of the world´s great cultural, research, and educational centers. This private, nonprofit institution was founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, an exceptional businessman who built a financial empire that included railroad companies, utilities, and real estate holdings in Southern California. The Library´s collection of rare books and manuscripts in the fields of British and American history and literature is nothing short of extraordinary. Altogether, there are about 6 million items. Among the treasures for research and exhibition are the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer´s Canterbury Tales, a Gutenberg Bible on vellum, the double-elephant folio edition of Audubon´s Birds of America, and a world-class collection of the early editions of Shakespeare´s works. The Art Collections are distinguished by their specialized character and elegant settings in three separate galleries on the Huntington grounds. The Huntington Art Gallery, originally the Huntington residence, contains one of the most comprehensive collections in this country of 18th- and 19th-century British and French art. It serves as home to Gainsborough´s Blue Boy and Lawrence´s Pinkie. The Botanical Gardens are an ever-changing exhibition of color and a constant delight. Covering 120 acres, more than a dozen specialized gardens are arranged within a park-like landscape of rolling lawns. Among the most remarkable are the Desert Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Chinese garden.

Click here for more information on this trip.

Grauman's Egyptian Theatre Tour

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Time:  10:30 AM
Great Outdoors member Mark Simon will lead a tour of Hollywood's first movie palace, Grauman's Egyptian Theatre. Opened in 1922, it functions in much the same spirit 90 years later. Come learn how a 1922 1,700-seat silent movie palace transformed itself into a 21st century state-of-the-art movie theatre. Along the way we'll settle the fiery debate, who got there first-- King Tut or Sid Grauman, and air out a few frocks from Sid's wardrobe. And it's free.

The tour is one hour, followed by Forever Hollywood, a 50-minute documentary film, created for the tour, featuring everyone from John Waters to John Travolta. We will meet at the Egyptian Theatre. The address is 6712 Hollywood Blvd 90028. It's one short block from Metro Red Line Hollywood/Highland. Lots of buses in the area too. Walk into the courtyard and head for the large columns. We'll meet at the columns.

There is a $5 parking lot, 1 block south and of the theatre and 1 block east, it's on Selma Ave between Cherokee and Cassil. There is no validation for parking available, unfortunately. There is some, not a lot, of all day free street parking on Selma. Ave. More all day free parking south of Sunset Blvd. around Fountain Ave & Las Palmas, about 6/7 blocks from the theatre. (Allow time for walking to theatre, 15 minutes). Inexpensive lunch afterwards??? There's decent pizza across the street with some large tables.

If you have any questions please email Mark at: marksimon911@gmail.com

The Big Sur Coast Campout

February 17 - 20, 2012

Big Sur is the rugged Central Coast stretching from San Simeon to Carmel. It's a place of staggering cliffs, secluded beaches and crashing waves. Thick mist blows inland from the Pacific; this dampness helps sustain coastal redwoods, clover-like sorrel and ferns. The protected waters along the coast offer a refuge for whales, otters and elephant seals. We've reserved three adjoining campsites at thePfeiffer Big Sur State Park (for tent camping). Weather permitting, our activities on this President's Day weekend may include a ramble through the Pt. Lobos Nature Preserve, a hike at Andrew Molera State Beach; and driving the famous the 17- Mile Drive from Carmel to Pacific Grove where we'll soak up the scenic wonders along the way.

Click here for trip notes. For additional information about this outing please contact:  ts709@roadrunner.com

Getty Center

Saturday, February 18, 2012

The Getty Center, in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, is a campus for cultural institutions founded by oilman J. Paul Getty. The $1.3 billion center, which opened on December 16, 1997, is also well known for its architecture, gardens, and the views overlooking Los Angeles. The center sits atop a hill connected to a visitor's parking garage at the bottom of the hill by a three-car, cable-pulled tram. The center draws 1.3 million visitors annually. This branch of the J. Paul Getty Museum specializes in "pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and 19th and 20th century American and European photographs". Among the works on display is the painting Irises by Vincent van Gogh. The center also has outdoor sculptures displayed on terraces and in gardens. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the campus includes a central garden designed by artist Robert Irwin. The center's design included special provisions to address concerns regarding earthquakes and fires.

This trip is hosted by Orange County - Long Beach Great Outdoors.
Click here for trip notes.

Palm Springs: Palm Canyon Resort

March 3-4, 2012

Indian Canyons - Andreas/Murray Canyon Hike and Araby Trail with
Optional Saturday Night "Comfort Camping" Palm Springs Style

Please RSVP to Robert Roxbury when signing up. Indicate hikes only or hikes and 1 night stay.

Saturday Hike - March 3rd - Indian Canyons (Andreas & Murray): 9:30 am meet at parking lot for Andreas Canyon. Map available at entrance - Park Admission is $9.00 per person (not included in event fee). Hiking details and registration form here.

Sunday Hike - March 4th - Araby Trail: 10:00 am - No entrance fees. Hiking details below.

Optional "Comfort Camping" at the Palm Canyon Resort Saturday, March 3rd. Saturday Night: Check-in time 4:00 pm, checkout on Sunday at 10:00 am.

Space is limited so book early. ($55.00 per Great Outdoors Member - Nonrefundable - Payment due 2/27/12). Fee is transferrable if you find someone to take your place.

What's included: 1 night stay in a 2 bedroom apartment with a full kitchen. See Resort details below. Wine and cheese reception after the Saturday hike. If you have a different drink preference, please bring you own. Saturday night dinner. Continental breakfast on Sunday. We will provide peanut butter, jelly & bread if you wish to make a sandwich for the Sunday hike. Bring your own lunch and snacks for the Saturday hike.

Palm Canyon Resort - Directions & Info: 2800 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264 Phone: (760) 866-1800. Directions: from downtown Palm Springs, go south on S Palm Canyon Drive about 3.5 miles. www.thepalmcanyonresort.com. Surrounded by tropical landscaping and a serene atmosphere, Palm Canyon Resort of Palm Springs features a dramatic rock formation with cascading waterfalls around a 1.5-acre swimming pool and sun deck. Explore lush grottos, an in-cave whirlpool spa, and spectacular water slides.

Resort Amenities: ?In-cave Whirlpool Spa, Patio Dining, Poolside Bar, Fitness Center, Air-Conditioned Indoor Basketball and Volleyball Courts, Dry Sauna & Spa Center. We will be staying in 2 bedroom villas with full kitchen, living room and patio. The 2-bedroom villas will each sleep six (2 queen sized beds and a sleeper sofa).

Click here for additional details and registration form.

Outdoors Experience

Phase 1: March 10 - 11, 2012
Phase 2: April 28 - 29, 2012

Our annual outdoor skills and leadership program is two weekends of hands-on instruction while camping. Whether you’re a camping newbie who just wants to learn how to camp safely and responsibly, or if you’re a hike/trip leader taking care of people, this wonderful program is for you!

Topics covered: equipment, planning, navigation, cooking, wilderness survival techniques, medical considerations, and places to explore under the sun or under the stars...

Click here for trip notes.

Phase 1: March 10 & 11 @ LaJolla Canyon Group Camp (Malibu) Includes Day Hike Leader Certification

Phase 2: April 28 & 29 @ Malibu Creek State Park Includes Full Trip Leader Certification You may take Phase I by itself to obtain the Day Hike Leader Certification, or you may take both phases to also obtain Trip Leader Certification.

Register Online Now at www.RegOnline.com/OE2012. Only 16 spots available.

Death Valley National Park

March 14 - 20, 2012

Death Valley was established as a national monument by President Herbert Hoover in 1933. The Desert Protection Act, under the Clinton Administration in 1994, not only increased its acreage from 2,036,000 acres to 3,396,000 acres, but also changed the Monument to the status of a National Park. Death Valley National Park is the largest national park in the contiguous U.S. It is North America’s driest and hottest spot. The park has the lowest elevation on the continent, Badwater, at -282 feet below sea level.

Although The Desert Protection Act protects nearly 95% of the parks lands as wilderness, there are over 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads. These unpaved roads include some of the loneliest and most spectacular desert scenes. Generally, the wilderness boundary is 50 feet from the centerline of most backcountry dirt roads.

We received word in December 2012 that our designated campground – Furnace Creek – will be closed for renovations during our stay. Any existing reservation will be honored, but placed in different campgrounds – Sunset Campground (for RVs) and Texas Springs Campground (for tents). No other National Park Service campground in Death Valley is currently available for advance reservations – all will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are usually plenty of sites available during our planned dates in Death Valley, but we can’t guarantee you’ll get a space.

Great Outdoors Palm Springs will be sponsoring this trip to Death Valley. For additional information, please click here.

Joshua Tree in Spring

April 19 - 22, 2012

For all its harshness, the desert is a land of surprising variety. In Joshua Tree National Park, where two great desert eco-systems converge, we find an amazing diversity of plants and animals, including the park's namesake plant, the wild, untamed, Joshua Tree. The park's geology is also surprising; mountains of teetering boulders erupt form the expansive plateau, delighting hikers and rock climbers. And although this desert can be unforgiving, April is typically delightful…warm, sunny and spring-like. Great Outdoors has reserved one group campsite where we'll experience the desert at its best. Our itinerary includes a couple of moderate rambles though this fascinating landscape. And what a perfect place to enjoy that Great Outdoors camaraderie.

For more information about this trip, contact Timothy at: ts709@roadrunner.com

Regular Events

• Full Moon Hikes
• Monday Night Hike
• Tuesday Night Hike