Name: PM Blaze: High Above It All On Mount Conejo!
Start: 2012-07-03T17:30:00-07:00
End: 2012-07-03T20:30:00-07:00
Location: Via Ricardo Trailhead

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/6/5/a/event_127346202.jpeg

Hello Blazer!

This is a new route for us. It's in a scenic but fairly lightly-traveled corner of the Conejo Valley, and offers lots of gain and great views. One of those "who knew there was a great trail here" hikes - and one that often offers cool Pacific breezes along the way.

Come have fun and hang with the fit & fabulous PM Blazers. This is an athletic hike that turns up, up, and away at about the one-mile mark and takes us to big 360 degree views at our stop and turn around point on the Mount Conejo summit, high above everything. Total distance will be about six miles.

Please note that the guest feature is not activated for this meetup. On all my hikes, I expect everyone coming to have signed up themselves, read the write-up, and arrive informed and prepared.

Hope to see you there,

Mark

Time for the next meet-up of the fit and fabulous PM Blazers!

Our afternoon PM Blazes are conditioning hikes intended for people hiking, or wishing to hike, at an intermediate level or above, and seeking time outdoors with fun and friendly people sharing similar interests and fitness goals.

Our hike format emphasizes easy-to-access and scenic 5-8 mile conditioning routes with intermediate-level elevation gains, a total hiking time of 2-3 hours at a moderate to fast pace, periodic rest and sightseeing stops, and optional technique discussions and conditioning exercises (based on individual and group interest).

We schedule our PM Blazes as late in the day as the season allows, minimizing hiking in the dark while encouraging people with a variety of work and home schedules to get great conditioning hikes in during the week and tune-up for weekend adventures.

Here is info on our scheduled hike…hope to see you there!

Mount Conejo

Hike Type: Conditioning

Level: Advanced beginner to Intermediate

Route Type: Out and back

Distance: 6 miles

Elevation gain: 1200 feet

Terrain: Fire road & single-file trail

Dogs allowed: Yes

Route summary:

This fairly short but rugged and athletic hike will take us just about 6 miles roundtrip from the eastern base of Mount Conejo in suburban Newbury Park to its summit high above the surrounding landscape. On the way up and back, and at the summit, this route offers remarkable views of the Pacific and offshore islands, the western end of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Conejo and Simi Valleys, and the Oxnard Plain and mountains of Los Padres National Forest beyond.

Our route begins on a single-file track, as we make our way west through rolling foothills for just under a half-mile. We then join the Edison Fire Road and turn more northerly for about 1.5 miles, winding our way higher and enjoying increasingly impressive views of the summit and surrounding areas. Just after the two-mile mark, we reach a junction where the Edison Fire Road continues north and another spurring fire road heads more westerly toward the Conejo summit. We take the spur, which eventually dead-ends at a utility pylon, but leave this road before then, at about the 2.5 mile mark, and make our way on a slightly rugged single-file trail until we reach the summit.

Most of this hike is hilly or rolling trail with open or bushy terrain. The initial section of our hike is somewhat sheltered, but the route quickly gives way to open hillsides, with direct exposure to the Pacific and surrounding areas, and the summit is exposed in all directions. Weather can range from a cool marine layer to high ocean or desert winds to quite warm and dry conditions. We will stop at the summit of Mount Conejo to grab a snack and enjoy the great views, before making our descent by the same route.

Essentials:

Please wear – brush-resistant pants, one or more wicking shirts appropriate to the temperature, comfortable hiking shoes or light boots, your favorite undergarments and accessories, and a light backpack.

Please bring – at least two liters of water, snacks, an extra layer of clothing, a charged cell phone, identification, a headlamp, a small first-aid kit, bug repellant and sunscreen, a waterproof shell if rain is forecast, and any medications or anything else you might need on the trail.

Parking:

Free on-street parking is available near the trailhead on Via Ricardo.

Please do not leave anything of value in your car, at this or any other trailhead.

Directions:

From the east on 101 – exit at Borchard Road and go south (toward the ocean) about 3.5 miles. Turn right on Via Ricardo and go a half-mile to the traihead, which is at the crosswalk signal on Via Ricardo.

From the west on 101 – exit at Wendy Drive and go south (toward the ocean) for about three-quarters of a mile. Turn right on Borchard Road and go just over 2 miles, then turn right on Via Ricardo and go a half mile to the trailhead, which is at the crosswalk signal on Via Ricardo.

From the Point Mugu area – take Los Posas and Hueneme Roads to Potrero Road. Once on Potrero, go about 5 miles, turn left onto Rancho Dos Vientos Road and go 1 mile. Turn left onto Via Ricardo and go just under a mile to the traihead, which is at the crosswalk signal on Via Ricardo.

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:

The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.

Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.

If you choose to sign up for this or any Weekday Trailblazers Meetup event, you are releasing the Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.

All participants must be 18 or older, or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

The Weekday Trailblazers

Travel & Outdoor

Hiking

New In Town

Exercise

Walking

Social

Outdoors

Outdoor Fitness

Outdoor Adventures

Women's Social

Men's Social

PM Blaze: High Above It All On Mount Conejo!

Via Ricardo Trailhead

Share

The Weekday Trailblazers

PM Blaze: High Above It All On Mount Conejo!

The Weekday Trailblazers

Details

Members are also interested in