Directions - Take the San Fernando Road exit off Highway 14, in Newhall, and go south to the end, which is a park and ride lot. Hop the rail fence and walk up a short path to the fire road. The Beast starts there. Distance - From bottom to top, the distance is 4.86 miles. It starts at about 1100' and tops out at 3864'. Difficulty - This is considered the toughest trail in SCV. It starts at about 1100' and tops out at 3864'. It is an unrelenting climb.
[ top ]
Don McLean -
The trail, part of The Santa Monica Conservancy, is entirely fire road, most all of it good. The course is all run-able, but quite difficult in parts. The worst is the first ¾ mile. Just short of half-way, you will encounter about ½ mile of The Rocky Place, a stretch that is mostly exposed granite, and gives one an idea of what a lizard faces in climbing a big rock.
Once past The Rocky Place, considered ½ ways, the climb continues difficult, though you enter a noticeably different eco system, with rosemary, scrub oak, pine. On reaching near 4 miles, you will see a wide turnout on your left, and some stakes on the edge. That is the start of The Viper, a renowned, single track downhill loved by the mountain bikers, which goes to Placerita Park. The Beast, however, curves right and levels and dips briefly. Take a sharp right at the fork in the road, labeled 3N64. You continue up that road to the top, a satellite relay station.
As a guiding principle, always stay on the main fire road, save for 3N64 turn off, and remember it is all up hill. If you find yourself going down hill for more than 40 yards, you are off the trail. Take it easy. Take small steps and maintain a level amount of exertion. Walking is entirely ok, and even encouraged until you are familiar with the trail. Carry water. Go with a friend.
The fastest known running time to the top is by Brian Spangenberg, 35:44. Brian won the Santa Clarita Marathon, and is quite unlike the rest of us mortals. A time under 60 minutes is considered OK. Under 50 is good. Low 40s is outstanding. Under 40 is truly exceptional and only Brian has done it. Racing down hill is dangerous and not encouraged; however, two SCR loons have done several times, and did it in 25 minutes. And survived.
Bruce "The Moose" Smith -
We all have pet names for things, and The BEAST is no exception.
What Don calls "The Rocky Place", I have called "The Steps" for years, because it undulates like a giant staircase.
Other points of interest in the first ½ are:
As we climb towards the top, other named places are:
- The Forest Dump: Ask Paul Vernier about this spot, about 3/4 mile up from the start.
- The Shredder: About ½ mile down from "The Rocky Place". Lots of small, sharp rocks. Easy to trip, fall, and get cut up, hence "The Shredder". Watch out for Flying Lisas.
- The Pilars of Hercules: A cut in the mountain.
- The Three Sisters: Three wide corners where runners have been heard to say "God, I believe I can make this - FAITH", "God, I hope I can make this - HOPE", and "God, help me make this - CHARITY"
- The Pearly Gates: Another cut in the mountain on 3M67, you are almost at the top - HEAVEN.
[ home ][ top ]
© 2000-2009 Santa Clarita Runners
P.O. Box 800298, Santa Clarita, CA 91380 · 661.513.9375 · scrunner@scrunners.org
[ disclaimer ]