New Sunset Hills Trail - a Gentler Hike

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/b/2/2/event_62591042.jpegWe've hiked this area before, way back in February. But this time there will be a twist - we'll hike on the brand new trail that will be constructed on October 15th during the 21st Annual Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) Trail Work Day.

COSCA is the agency that provides and maintains the 11,000 acres of open space and 140 miles of trails in and around Thousand Oaks. Unfortunately I'll be out of town and won't be able to help build this new trail, but I hope other Blazers will want to help build new trails and support the trail-using community! You can find complete information on the COSCA trail work day at the bottom of this web page (http://www.cosf.org/website/html/cvc-trailwork.html).

The new trail will be about 1.5 miles long, so after completing that, we'll continue to the Bard Reservoir Overlook, then on the old trail (see photo above), turning around at the point that will make the entire hike about 5 miles long.

To see photos from our last hike in this area, view the photo gallery (http://www.venturacountytrails.org/RecentPhotos/2011-02-24SunsetHills/_Page.html). Note that the starting point for this hike is different from where we started last time in February!

Statistics: We'll hike 5 miles and have about 1000 feet of climbing altogether.

Pace: This is a gentler hike. We will go at a more moderate pace than a regular Trailblazer hike, and we'll take more breaks. The purpose is to give novice and intermediate hikers who may feel they're not up to a regular hike a chance to get out and experience our beautiful trails. Faster hikers are welcome to join us so long as they are willing to hike at the slower pace of the group. However, this hike is probably too difficult for someone who is new to hiking, or hasn't been hiking in a long time. We typically finish about 12:30 pm, but could be delayed for any number of reasons. If you are looking for a fast-paced hike, or have to finish by a specific time, this hike is probably not for you.

Directions: From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, turn north on 23 towards Simi Valley. After 4.1 miles, take the Sunset Hills exit and turn east. Turn left onto Erbes Rd, the first cross street, then drive 0.7 miles and turn into the parking area on the right. If you pass under the 23 freeway, you've gone too far.

Map: Use this Google map to help you find your way http://tinyurl.com/3rd3ma9

Lunch: We usually, although not always, go somewhere for lunch after the hike. This is completely optional and is considered to be in addition to this event, not part of it.

This hike has been cross posted to the Calabasas Day Hikers (https://www.meetup.com/calabasasdayhikers/events/37706192/).