Tongva Village Exploration at Rancho Escondido, Difficulty=moderate to strenuous January 20, 2011

Travel back in time through the curious Cañon de los Indios (Indian Canyon), now known as Black Star Canyon. Follow a professional naturalist and visit the Tongva village site where William Wolfskill massacred alleged horse thieves in the 1830s. The site is located on the historic Rancho Escondido (Hidden Ranch), an 800-acre nature preserve owned by The Wildlands Conservancy. Participants will learn how the Tongva tribe lived off the land. There will be opportunities to identify plants and wildlife along the way.
Who: 18 and up (Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.)
Where: Meet at the end of Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676. Take Santiago Canyon Rd east from Jamboree, follow past Irvine Lake, turn left on Silverado Cyn Rd, turn left on Black Star Cyn Rd, follow all the way to white pipe gate and park.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (wide semi-paved road, significant elevation gain, 8-10 miles round-trip)

Special Instructions/Supplies: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before start time. Bring a minimum of 1 quart (32 oz) of water per person. Bring snacks and/or full meal. Wear weather protection (jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.), durable hiking socks and close-toed hiking shoes (extra pair for wet tours), long pants, and backpack for snacks. Bring swimsuit and towel for wet tours. Bring first aid kit (Band-Aids, antiseptic, allergy medicine, tweezers, etc.) and cell phone. Bring flashlight/headlamp and layered clothing for evening tours. Walking sticks are recommended for tours with stream crossings or uneven terrain.

RSVP: Please email [email protected] or call 714-649-9084, unless otherwise noted in description. Donations are appreciated (suggested amount of $10/adult, $5/child). Please leave your name, contact information, and total # in your party. We cannot be reached by cell phone at tour locations, so please ask questions and confirm tour details well in advance.

See http://www.naturalist-for-you.org/calendar.htm or join http://www.meetup.com/naturalist-for-you/ for upcoming tours. You can also follow our fan page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naturalist-For-You/355183848682?ref=ts

When
Thu Jan 20 9am – 3pm Pacific Time
Where
Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676 (map)