Hondo Canyon was actually our meeting point for a hike up Zuma Canyon, but there isn't a business…read moreon Yelp, perhaps it's a good thing as hiking Zuma Canyon is not for just any hiker. Hiking Zuma Canyon is for those hikers that are...well....normal, but not by Webster's definition. This hike is for those non-trail hikers, where getting waist deep, or higher, in murky moss covered river rock water, rock climbing without harness', crawling under bush, and over trees, and crawling on all fours up a 35-40 degree canyon of a loose dirt, or the alternative, use a hope to scale a 10-15 foot rock. If the rope is the preferred escape route, better bring something to tie it to because there isn't anything at the top that will hold weight. We were fortunate, one of our fellow hikers acted as our belay.
Distance: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1400 feet
The Trail: Single track, rock & boulder hopping, scrambling, trailblazing and some bushwhacking, and poison oak (PO) and ticks run rampant. I know this because the last time I did this hike, although fully clothed with long sleeves and pants, I suffered the worst break out of PO, up to that point. It involves BUSHWHACKING and mostly CLIMBING OVER BOULDERS. Good balance and rock climbing skills are helpful. Also, depending on water flow, you can count on getting your feet wet.
Time: 5-7 hours
I agree, the mileage versus time does not compute. However, taking in all the factors above, this hike is not about distance, it's about getting out safely before dark. This is a beautiful, very RUGGED and STRENUOUS hike through Lower Zuma Canyon, Upper Zuma Canyon, and Newton Canyon. There is PO everywhere in this canyon so you'll be determining how sensitive you are to it if you don't already know. I strongly recommend a thorough post hike scrubbing with one of the many PO products on the market. I have found that Tecnu used on trail, as well as post-hike, prior to getting in the car, followed by a cool water sponge bath on the edge of the bathtub with Dawn, yes, the dish washing liquid...it cuts the grease). Hot water opens the pores and allows the poison to get into the skin.
As mentioned above, Hondo Canyon was actually our meeting point because this is a car shuttle (one-way) hike where we start the hike near PCH and end up about 4 miles north of PCH on Kanan Dume Rd.
The hike begins around open fields, sycamore trees and laurel sumac bushes. The canyon then narrows and there are oaks and eucalyptus trees along a creek. A good portion of the hike is BOULDERING and some CLIMBING over huge sandstone boulders along Zuma Creek. While the trail up to this point will have been a bit of a challenge this is really where the fun starts. Towards the end of the hike, there's a steep hill to climb (possibly crawl) up, or the alternative for those who have the upper body strength to pull themselves up the rock.
After completing this the first time, about three-ish years ago, I swore I'd never do it again. It was one of my first hikes of this caliber and, although I wore pants, long sleeves, gloves, wool socks, and lug-sole boots, I was still not properly dressed. The amount of PO I got and the severity of the breakout was so unbearable, I ended up calling my doctor for some relieve. In addition, I got attacked by a tick. Once I realized the side of my torso was being head butted by a tick I kind of freaked. I say kind of because when I turned around and asked my fellow peeps (gents) to help out they all shrieked like girls. One of girlfriends bulldozed her way up to me and asked what the holdup was, I showed her and as she pulled it out, she said, oh a tick. She had just pulled a ton of ticks out of her four legged fur ball, so she was quite the expert.
Anyway, I digress. After much convincing by my fellow hikers over the years, I finally caved. Only this time I was prepared. I had adopted 'the prepare for the worst, hope for the best attitude', plus, I've had many PO breakouts worse than the first time I hiked Zuma.
DISCLAIMER:
Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up.
