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The PM Hikers

4.9•6980 ratings

Simi Valley, CA, US

4,618 members · Public group

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What we’re about

Welcome! I created this group in 2012 because I was hiking in a world dominated by morning people. So on the hunch that there might be a few more people like myself, I decided to make a group that does not hike in the mornings. After all, God created mornings for sleeping in, right? This is the one characteristic that makes the PM Hikers different from any other hiking club.
Much to my joy I had a lot of hikers thank me profusely for the group, and several have even told me that the PM Hikers has changed their lives! There is nothing more gratifying than hearing someone tell you that!
So what about beating the summer heat? Instead of hiking in the morning, just hike in the evening! If you think that's weird or scary, I think you will discover that the trails and the views are just as beautiful at night, and will open a new dimension of awe to complement that feeling when hiking in daylight.
That does not mean we only hike at night. Rather, we do not begin our hikes between the hours of midnight and noon. Thus, a 23:59:59 start time is as acceptable as one that begins at 12:00:01.
I know it's awkward when you first hike with people you do not know at all, but if you hike with us you will discover that the members are FRIENDLY, nice people. You could easily make some friendships for life. I certainly have.
If you are new to hiking, read the hike descriptions and send a note to the leader if you are not sure about something. Hiking can be quite physically demanding, but many members are beginners, so don't be afraid.
Watch your step on the downhill,
Kurt Godden

Upcoming events

10

Wed, Oct 15 · 5:30 PM PDT
Tapo Canyon Trail Evening Hike
Tapo Canyon Trail / Open Space Trail, 3802-4038 Tapo Canyon Rd, Simi Valley, CA, US
Come join me Wednesday, October 15 for an evening hike. There is a chance of rain Tuesday into Wednesday so please pay attention the day of in case it cancels due to weather.
This is a pleasant area to hike in to get some exercise and is for advanced beginners if they are working on increasing their pace. We can decide as a group once there if we want it short and sweet or to extend the hike to the tarpits.

I hike for conditioning We only stop briefly to catch our breath at the top of the hill and to regroup if we need to and maybe a brief break at about the halfway point.
This trail is not particularly steep so anyone at any level can start with us and hike at your own pace just let us know at the beginning of the hike so I can provide directions if you are faster or slower on where to turn as there will not be a sweep.

Distance: about 5 miles ish, depending on whether we go to the tarpits or not
Elevation Gain: 698 feet
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate due to pace and steepness, loose gravel
Dogs: No
Restrooms: No
Water Fountain: No
Parking: Free street parking, just note there are some no parking signs and do not park there!
Trail: Lolypop/Loop trail
Sunset: 6:20 pm please bring a charged phone for light or headlamp/flashlight for safety.
Weather: Heat over 85 degrees (at 6), Santa Ana Winds over 12mph or rain cancels the hike (I won't hike in those conditions).

Hike will be cancelled if by Noon the day of the hike less than 2 hikers besides myself are signed up.

Known Dangers: Rattlesnakes are in the area on the trail so be mindful where you step, a slip-'n-fall is always possible so wear proper shoes,/use poles if you prefer, poison oak may also be on the trail so please watch what you brush up against!

Bring:
Flashlight/headlamp or charged phone, in case it is dark at the end
A personal snack if you have not gotten to eat dinner so you have some energy to hike.

LOTS of H20 is always recommended. A suggestion for this hike is 2 liters just to be on the safe side, always better to have more than not enough.

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY:
• You must RSVP to attend this event, no exceptions.
• If you choose to sign up for any event, you are releasing the organizers of PM Hikers from all liability in case of possible injuries.
• The organizers of PM Hikers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. By participating in any posted event, you're taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being.
• Hiking and other outdoor events are inherently dangerous and accidents can happen. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.
• Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.
6 attendees
Thu, Oct 16 · 5:30 PM PDT
Chumash trail sunset hike at 5:30 5:30 5:30 pm Thursday
Chumash Trail, Simi Valley, CA, US
Sun setting from the Chumash trail on Sept 25, 2025. Thank you Jimbo

WhereAmEye (Tall Mark) has been doing this hike up the Chumash Trail in Simi Valley every Thursday night since the Jurassic Period, and he'll be leading this event until the Ice Age, i.e. this hike always happens, even when it rains, snows, hails, or blows. The only exception is when it's on fire.
It's mostly a steady climb to where the trail meets with the Rocky Peak Fire Road. When you get to the 'slippery' part just over a mile up, ask him who was responsible for Kurt breaking his ankle there in 2012, but don't believe whatever he tells you. (Just kidding, Mark, don't get touchy!)
Note: Kurt will not be attending except for when he visits from Michigan.

Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1200'
Difficulty: Intermediate - hard for beginners
Dogs: Yes, but must be leashed
Restrooms: No
Water Fountain: No
Parking: Free on Flanagan
Trail: Out and back, single track, excellent condition
Sunset: Varies, but bring a headlamp or flashlight when needed!

Known Dangers: Rattlesnakes, slip-'n-fall, COVID-19 infected hikers

Bring:
Flashlight/headlamp when it's dark
Sunscreen and hat when it's not (It gets hot as Hades in summer)
LOTS of H20 when it's hot (maybe 2L if you sweat a lot)

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY:
• You must RSVP to attend this event, no exceptions.
• If you choose to sign up for any event, you are releasing the organizers of PM Hikers from all liability in case of possible injuries.
• The organizers of PM Hikers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. By participating in any posted event, you're taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being.
• Hiking and other outdoor events are inherently dangerous and accidents can happen. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.
• Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.
5 attendees
Sun, Oct 19 · 12:00 PM PDT
Haunted Dairy Farm, Camarillo
Scary Dairy, 1900 Amphitheater Way, Camarillo, CA, US
It's Halloween season, so let's visit the abandoned Camarillo State Hospital dairy farm which once thrived with cattle and working patients from the hospital. Today it is known as the Scary Dairy and is supposedly haunted!

Hike Details
My hikes are slow paced (1.5-2 mph) and the end time is approximate only. We take breaks, we explore, and we don't leave anyone behind. If this hike is not what you are looking for, please find another that best suits your needs. Thank you.

Today's hike is just under 5 miles (more if we want to explore) with an elevation gain of about 370' (see map in the photo gallery). We will do some hiking prior to exploring the dairy and its cool looking abandoned buildings, then continue the hike till we reach the parking lot.

The scary dairy is at the CSU Channel Islands University Park.

Time and Parking Fee
Meet me at 12:00 noon at the Channel Islands Condors parking lot. There is a parking fee of $6.00 that you will pay at the sign with a QR code.

Be sure to read the directions below CAREFULLY, it is easy to miss the turnoff to the parking lot.

Details:
- Terrain: fire road, single track
- Difficulty: Fit beginner, intermediate
- Restrooms: no
- Water fountain: no
- Dogs: Only if leashed
- Known Dangers: slip and fall, rattlesnakes, mountain bikers
- High winds, rain, hot weather, or fire will cancel this hike
Checklist:
- Bring 2 liters of water, snacks, electrolytes, hiking poles if needed
- Wear good hiking boots/shoes, sunscreen, hat
- Bring a jacket for cooler weather
All Trails map: Haunted Dairy Farm - CSUCI

Late Lunch / Early Dinner?
Let's top off the day with great Mexican food at one of my favorites, the El Tecolote Restaurant on Lewis Road, about 10 minutes from the dairy farm.

DIRECTIONS
Once you turn onto Camarillo Street and cross the bridge over the creek, the entrance is immediately on the left-hand side after the bridge. You will enter a gravel area and see a trailhead kiosk. Veer to the right and keep driving a short distance to the Channel Islands Condors parking lot which will be on the left.
- Google Coordinates: 34.178802, -119.038630
- View the Google Map
- Detailed driving directions from CSUCI
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY:
1. You must RSVP to attend this event, no exceptions.
2. The PM Hiker organizers are not trained leaders and do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips.
3. If you sign up for any event, you are releasing the PM Hiker organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries.
4. Hiking and other outdoor events can be dangerous, and accidents can happen.
5. Per Meetup rules, you are responsible for your own safety and well-being. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience. You take full responsibility for your own actions.
6. These rules apply to any guests you may invite.
37 attendees
Sun, Oct 19 · 5:00 PM PDT
Sunday Rocky Trail Hike at 5:00pm.
Rocky Peak Park, Rocky Peak Road, Simi Valley, CA, US
The south side of Jenga Rock with the actual Rocky Peak in the center above on Sept 7 2025. Thanks Alan and his smartphone camera.

WhereAmEye (Tall Mark) has been doing this hike in every Sunday afternoon for over 20 years, and he'll be leading this event as long as he keeps getting large annual hike-organizer pay raises. This hike always happens, even when it rains, snows, hails, or blows. The only exception is when it's on fire (or Mark sprains his knee).

This is a fire road with great views of the valleys and scenic rock formations all along. It starts out steep, moderates for a while with some flat spots, undulates easily for a while, then a final steady grade (but not too steep) to the lemonade stand at the top. The lemonade stand operators apologize for never being there when youre hot and thirsty, or not.

Distance: 5.0 miles (I think anyway, but 4.9 semi officially).

Elevation Gain: 1200'

Difficulty: Intermediate - hard for beginners

Dogs: Yes, but must be leashed

Restrooms: No

Water Fountain: No

Parking: Free at trailhead

Trail: Out and back, single track, rugged

Sunset: Varies, but bring a headlamp or flashlight when needed!

Known Dangers: Rattlesnakes, slip-'n-fall, COVID-19 infected hikers

Bring:

Flashlight/headlamp when it's dark

Sunscreen and hat when it's not (It gets hot as Hades in summer)

LOTS of H20 when it's hot (maybe 2L if you sweat a lot)

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY:

• If you choose to sign up for any event, you are releasing the organizers of PM Hikers from all liability in case of possible injuries.

• The organizers of PM Hikers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. By participating in any posted event, you're taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being.

• Hiking and other outdoor events are inherently dangerous and accidents can happen. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.

• Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.
1 attendee

Past events

2607

Organizers

Kurt Godden and 11 others

Members

4,618

Related topics

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