NOTE: Hike does not start at normal Orchard Creek Lodge starting point.  We will meet at the trail heads for the Elderberry and Canyon Oaks trails in Sun City Lincoln Hills.  Park near (north of) the intersection of Hidden Hills Lane and Monument Drive.  The trail heads are  two blocks off (north) of Stoneridge Blvd. and Monument Drive.

DIFFICULTY:  Moderate.

ELEVATION GAIN: 500 +/- feet of elevation gain.

HIKE DISTANCE: 6.5 +/- miles total, Semi-loop hike.  We retrace some of the route, but for the most part we will follow separate trails.

DIRECTIONS: Hike starts and ends at the trail heads for the Elderberry and Canyon Oaks trails near (north of) the intersection of Hidden Hills Lane and Monument Drive.

HIKE ROUTE: We will start on the Elderberry Trail and return on the Canyon Oaks Trail.

            Start Route:  Walk up Elderberry Trail to Boulder Court.  At the end of Boulder Court, continue on the gravel road to the water tanks.  Continue on the road and turn left on the paved trail through the oak forest skirting the lower area of Monte Azul.  Turn left at Camino Cielo and continue on through the Monte Azul neighborhood to Twelve Bridges Drive. Cross Twelve Bridges Drive.  Make immediate left at the entrance to Catta Verdera to gated road.  Pass a small asphalt parking area.  Trail is accessible to the public.  Pass the road gate to the gravel access road. Walk along the gravel road to the new Verdera North Tank #3 five million gallon water tank.  Continue on the dirt road along the Caperton Canal, with views of the foothills, to the reservoir that I thought for the past 17 years was called Caperton Reservoir.   Recent further exploring has led me to find that Caperton Reservoir is actually a couple of miles northeast on Caperton Court off Sierra College Blvd..

            Return Route:  Return to entrance to Catta Verdera and Twelve Bridges Drive retracing the same route.  Cross Twelve Bridges Drive.  Make an immediate left at entrance to Monte Azul to public trail that runs parallel to Twelve Bridges Drive.  Turn left on Camino Cielo.  About a quarter mile down Camino Cielo, turn left on trail to water tanks near Boulder Creek Court.  Continue on the gravel road to Boulder Court.  Cross court and take Elderberry Trail to spur to Canyon Oaks Trail.  Turn right on Canyon Oaks Trail and continue to Hidden Hills Lane.

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE: Starting point is within Sun City Lincoln Hills.  You will need to make your own arrangements to get to the starting trail head.

HIKE LEADER/SWEEP:  Leader: Jim Fisher. Sweep: Denny Fisher.

                                                Questions:  Call Denny Fisher at (916) 505-4948

SPECIAL NOTES:                                                 

   A.  NO FACILITIES:  There are no rest rooms along the trail. There are a few spots along the trail for Mother Nature breaks.

   B.  FOOD AND WATER:  Bring water and a snack or lunch.  We will stop for a snack or lunch break about midway through the hike.

   C.  HEALTH ISSUES:  If you have health issues, please consider your condition before hiking.

   D.     PREPARATION FOR HIKE:

         1)      Sturdy boots or walking shoes are recommended.  Hiking poles are likely not necessary, but bring them if you wish.  Bring layered clothing.  You might want to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts not only because it may be cold but also because of poison oak along the trail.

         2)      Bring a copy of your ID (Drivers License), health card, and emergency contact name and phone number with you on the hike.

         3)      If you are riding to the trail head in someone else’s car, always bring an extra pair of shoes with a plastic bag to store your muddy/dusty shoes after the hike. Do not get your driver’s car dirty by wearing your dirty shoes home.

         4)      Bring snacks, sun screen, hat and water and Good & Plenty candy and a Payday candy bar for the hike leader and sweep so they can make the entire hike.

   E.  RISKS:  Watch for traffic when crossing roadways.  Possible mud and poison oak.

   F.   RAIN CANCELLATION:  Heavy rain the day of the hike, cancels hike.  Rain the night before does not cancel hike.  The route is a mix of paved and gravel trails that drain pretty well.  The gravel trails will have some mud and puddles that we will have to work around if it rains the night before the hike.

MEETING TIME:  8:45 AM, LEAVING TIME: 9:00 AM, RETURN BY 2:00 pm.  Remember we are meeting at the at the trail heads for the Elderberry and Canyon Oaks trails near (north of) the intersection of Hidden Hills Lane and Monument Drive.  The trail heads are  two blocks off (north) of Stoneridge Blvd. and Monument Drive.