Conejo OS Challenge Hike 2: Shooting Star Trail to the Santa Rosa Valley Train


Details
Hike Stats: The hike will be 5 miles with 1000' of climbing. We'll hike at a moderate pace and there will be time to take photos. We'll need to hike together as a group so that nobody gets lost by taking a wrong turn at one of the several forks we'll pass.
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The Conejo Open Space Challenge: For the fourth year running, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA (http://www.conejo-openspace.org/)) is putting on an event to get us to experience some of the beautiful but possibly less well known trails in the Conejo Valley. To encourage us to complete the challenge, prizes are offered to some people who complete all ten segments of the Challenge before June 1, and also to those who take the best photos along the way. You show you hiked the segments by emailing photos of some view along the trail to the organizer. You can learn more about the Challenge from this flyer (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwnGWwrV3x1DdnVFY2xnOEFhODA/view).
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This is an out-and-back (OAB) hike along the Shooting Star Trail, a newer trail constructed in October 2010 during Thousand Oaks' annual Trailwork Day. The trail connects the Santa Rosa Trail in Wildwood Park to the Lower Santa Rosa Trail in Santa Rosa Valley. There is a surprise at the turn-around point. The property owner there is building a medieval castle wall, and a full-size railway loop. You don't often see these things, especially at the same time!
If you like this hike, please consider supporting COSCA by making a tax deductible donation to the Conejo Open Space Foundation http://cosf.org/donate/ and by participating in one of their many volunteer opportunities (http://cosf.org/volunteer/) available throughout the year.
Afterwards, you are welcome to join us for lunch at some local establishment that serves good food and beverages. We'll talk about which establishment to visit during the hike.
Here's the schedule for all the Challenge hikes:
• March 15: Potrero Ridge in Dos Vientos
• March 22: Shooting Star Trail into the Santa Rosa Valley
• March 28: Hidden Meadow Trail and Albertson Mtwy (shuttle hike)
• April 11: Hillcrest Ridge in North Ranch
• April 18: Woodridge Loop in Sunset Hills
• May 3: Hawk Canyon and Hill Canyon Trails in Conejo Canyons
• May 9: Space Mountain in Thousand Oaks
• May 10: Powerline Trail in Dos Vientos
Driving Directions: We'll start on a spur trail that leads down to the Santa Rosa Trail from Wildwood Avenue. From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, turn north on Lynn Road and continue 2.9 miles to Wildwood Avenue, then turn left. Follow the street around for 0.9 miles. Park at the side of the road near the trailhead. Note that this is not the usual trailhead and parking area for Wildwood Park!
Map: Use this Google Map to help you find your way
Dogs: Please leave your pets at home for this hike. Dogs should only accompany their human companions on hikes that are billed as “Dog Friendly.”

Conejo OS Challenge Hike 2: Shooting Star Trail to the Santa Rosa Valley Train