Chorro Grande trail to Pine Mtn Ridge and back.

NO CELL COVERAGE AT THE TRAILHEAD

Let's hike the Chorro Grande trail to the Pine Mtn ridge line (5.5 miles on way, plus 3236 ft up) so 11 miles round trip. Pace will be moderate (2.0 mph), but this a fair amount of up so make sure you know your limitations. This is not an easy hike. We will have a short break at the crest and return the route we hiked in on. Bring a snack. Weather forecast is for a mid-day high in 70s in Ojai so it should be in the 60s-70s for hike, but it could be windy. The trail is along the southern flank so its well exposed to the sun. I expect to be back at the cars by 3:00 PM but it could take until 4:00PM.

The Chorro Grande trailhead is along the Maricopa Hwy (Hwy 33). About a 30-40 minute drive north of Ojai. There's a small trailhead sign on the right as you drive north and large dirt parking lot on the left of the highway.

At the Pine Mountain Ridge crest are great panoramas of the local ranges, if clear. To north we peer into the Cuyama badlands, and to south possibly see the Pacific Ocean and northern Channel Islands. The Chorro Grande trail traverses the southwest flank of the Pine Mountain Ridge. Along the way we will cross the Pine Mountain thrust fault and some interesting Eocene and Oligocene marine formations with their layers dipping southward. Pine Mountain Ridge is large anticlinorium (an arched upward crustal-scale fold) created by movement on the underlying Pine Mountain thrust, and the Chorro Grande trail traverses the southwest limb of the fold.

Bring plenty of water, boots, snacks, and lunch. It should be sunny and possibly warm, so a hat and sunblock are recommended.

Here's a link to a substack newsletter on the hike and geology with several short videos,
https://tdavisgeo.substack.com/p/geo-hike-along-the-chorro-grande

NOTE: YOU NEED TO BE IN GOOD HIKING CONDITION FOR THIS ADVENTURE. THE PACE IS ABOUT 2.0 MPH, IT'S UP MOST OF THE WAY, AND STEEP IN A FEW PLACES. THERE WILL BE NO SWEEP AND IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO TOP OF THE RIDGE YOU WILL NEED TO RETURN TO THE CHORRO GRANDE TRAILHEAD VIA THE TRAIL WE WENT UP, SO PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS ON THE WAY UP.

Please be prompt for meet-up point. We do not wait.

DOGS ARE OK BUT PLEASE KEEP THEM ON A LEASH DURING HIKE
NO GUESTS, HAVE THEM JOIN

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY*
(IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY):
The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.
Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Geo-hikes Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.
If you choose to sign up for this or any Geo-hikes Meetup event, you are releasing the Geo-hikes Meetup Group and its organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.

• Anyone 18 yrs. or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.