Conejo OS Challenge Hike 7: Los Robles Trail West (Space Mountain) Shuttle Hike

Hike Stats: The hike will be 5.2 miles with 1200' 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. This hike will be a bit shorter than usual because we'll have another hike the following day.

This will be a shuttle hike! We meet at the end, pile into as few cars as possible and drive to the start.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/0/6/4/600_435096964.jpeg

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).

Hike Route: We've hiked Space Mountain before as an out-and-back hike when the trail we had planned to hike was too wet. But this will be completely different. We'll start on the oak-shaded Whole Access Trail (aka the "Brail Trail"), head up Space Mountain and continue along the Los Robles Trail (West) to the picnic table. After a short break, we'll hike down the Rosewood Trail to our cars. Since this is a shuttle hike, it won't be over until we return the drivers who left their cars at the start!

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 meet at the Rosewood Trailhead in Newbury Park.

From the 101 Freeway in Newbury Park, exit at Ventu Park Rd and turn south. Drive 0.6 miles to Lynn Rd and turn right. After 0.3 miles, turn left on Regal Oak Ct. Drive 0.3 miles to the end and park.

Map: Use this Google Map to help you find your way

http://bit.ly/1F5ehAB

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.”

RSVPs: We know plans can change, and we would appreciate it if you let us know at least 24 hours before the event if you are unable to make it when you have previously told us you are coming. This is so that someone else will have time to take over your place. Without 24 hours' notice, we may consider you a "no show."