Contact: Muriel Banares,
mbanares@exec.csun.edu or
Carmen Ramos Chandler,
carmen.chandler@csun.edu,
(818) 677-2130

CSUN Geography Department Invites Public on Hike Exploring Towsley Canyon

"The hike will give the community a chance to learn about some of Southern California's native vegetation, meet the department's faculty and students and enjoy some spectacular geological formations and scenic views," said Darrick Danta, a geology professor and organizer of the trip.

The hike will begin at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of Towsley Canyon/Ed Davis Park, which is part of the Santa Clarita Woodlands Park, and is expected to last about two hours.

Danta recommended the walkers come prepared for variable weather conditions. He said hikers will be given two choices of hiking routes: a not-too-demanding route of stream crossing and a chance to view oil seeps or a hike up the hill that is moderate to difficult but offers a view of Valencia.

Danta encouraged hikers to bring a lunch so they could picnic with CSUN faculty and students and learn more about the university's Geography Department and to get answers to questions they didn't ask on the walk.

Directions to the park:

• From the San Fernando Valley: Take the I-5 north toward Santa Clarita. Exit Calgrove, turn left and follow the Old Road as it curves to the left. Park entrance is on the right. Alternately, people from the San Fernando Valley can take Balboa Boulevard going north until it turns left just before crossing over the I-5; turn left onto San Fernando Road and continue north (name changes to The Old Road). The park entrance will be on the left side.

• From Antelope Valley: Take the Old Road exit off Hwy 14; turn right to park entrance.

For more information about the hike, call Danta at (818) 677-3522.

California State University, Northridge has more than 27,000 full- and part-time students and offers 48 bachelor's and 39 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley.