Shelf Road with the Fox Canyon/Luci Trail Loop included Geo-hike

A tad less than a 5.0 mile round trip hike along Shelf Road with the Fox Canyon/Luci Trail Loop added in. Pace is moderate pace (~2.0 MPH). We'll make a few short stops to discuss the geology and vegetation.

Hike starts at the trailhead parking area along Gridley Road. We'll hike out to the trail head at end of North Signal Street, turn around, and return the way we came in. On the return we will do the Fox Canyon/Luci Trail Loop that adds about 800 ft elevation gain to the hike.

There is no sweep and we do not wait for very slow hikers.

https://open.substack.com/pub/tdavisgeo/p/shelf-road-geo-hike?r=jme6r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

https://youtu.be/16J-FfmhI3c?feature=shared

The geology of Ojai Valley will be discussed along the way. Shelf Road is in uppermost portion of the Eocene-age Coldwater Formation* and in a few places along the contact with the overlying Oligocene-age Sespe Formation**, and their sandstone dominated outcrops will be observed and discussed. Shelf Road is within a map-scale structure called the Matilija overturn that is due to folding above the San Cayetano thrust fault*** that lies just below the earth's surface. The overturn is a band of rock layers where the stratigraphic order has been reversed and older strata lie above younger strata. This is due to large amounts of crustal convergence (shortening) during the last several million years.

Summary photo:

Looking east from Shelf Road near Gridley Road Parking. East Santa Ynez Range with Topa Topa Ridge on extreme left and eastern Ojai Valley on right. The giant Santa Ynez anticlinorium is shown by the tilted strata.

Hike is along a well-hiked dirt road that's free of auto traffic. Be on the look out for rattlesnakes while hiking- watch where you step, and don't reach out or sit down without looking first. Snakes are commonly out in the evening, and if it's mild or warm, just about any time of year. We should be back to the cars well before dark, but bring a head lamp or flashlight as a back-up.

*Coldwater Formation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coldwater_Sandstone

**Sespe Formation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sespe_Formation

***San Cayetano fault

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Cayetano_Fault

DOGS ARE OK BUT PLEASE KEEP THEM ON A LEASH DURING HIKE

NO GUESTS, HAVE THEM JOIN

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY*

(IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY):

The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.

Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Geo-hikes Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.

If you choose to sign up for this or any Geo-hikes Meetup event, you are releasing the Geo-hikes Meetup Group and its organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.

• Anyone 18 yrs. or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.