Directions - From I-5 in Newhall, exit on Calgrove. From the southbound exit, go right as the street turns into The Old Road. Go south and follow road to top of Newhall Pass. Go right at Weldon Canyon, across the bridge at I-5. Go right on N. Coltrane. Approximately 50 yards, on your left, you will the see entrance to Weldon Canyon. Distance - The journey from Weldon trailhead to East Canyon trail is approximately 2 ½ miles. The climb is 663 feet, from 1945’ to 2608’. Difficulty - Moderately difficult. The most difficult part is the start, reminiscent of the start of The Beast, as you immediately start a tough ascent up the side of the mountain. Once you reach the ridge line, the trail continues to climb, but the climb is mostly kind. Notes - The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy MRCA manages Weldon Canyon, along with East Canyon, the two of which are interconnected via trail.
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Weldon Canyon, opened in August, 2002, is part of the Santa Monica Nature Conservancy. In exchange for allowing the nearby Sunshine landfill to grow, the land was deeded over to the government. The trail to the ridge line is lush and shaded, and is very pleasant at all times of the day and year. The ridge line follows telephone poles all the way to the East Canyon intersection. At the top, you will see where oak trees were planted and even irrigated, and your vistas are broad and lovely, save perhaps for the views of the Sunshine dump.
As you reach the top, at the ridge line, you will come to a T intersection. Follow the trail sign to go right. To go left will take you to Sunshine.
Approximately half way from the T to East Canyon, you will see a red pole on your right. Shortly on a trail to your right, you will come to a bird observation deck. It looks out over East and Rice canyons. Often you see hawks circling about. Occasionally, you might hear the reports of shotguns. Don’t be alarmed. That noise comes from the Oak Tree Gun Club sports, who have their range, bar and grill on N. Coltrane.
When the ridge line comes to another T, just past and down from an opened gate, you have reached the East Canyon trail. To reach the East trailhead, go right.
A more challenging and interesting option is to do a Weldon –East loop, which is 7 miles. Park and start at East Canyon. Run up The Old Road approximately 2 miles to Weldon. At the end of Weldon, go right on East and back down to your transportation and to civilization.
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