The Back Way to Paradise Falls--thru Conejo Canyons Park--in Thousand Oaks

THE BACK WAY TO PARADISE FALLS THROUGH THE RELATIVELY UNKNOWN CONEJO CANYONS PARK, (WHICH LOOKS A LOT LIKE MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK).

HOW LONG: 8 or 9 miles on the volcanic tableland and canyon that drains out of the Conejo Valley

WHEN: 2 TO 7 PM--NO RUSH PACE, DINNER AT SOME DELICIOUS THOUSAND OAKS CHOW-SPOT AFTERWARD

HIGHLIGHTS:

--Wildflowers and cacti

--Lots of water in the creek

--tour the restored wetland, with beautiful willow trees and lots of birds

--see the rocky cliffs and the great view of Ventura and the Channel Islands

--Swim, wade in the pool below the 30 foot Paradise Falls

--See Indian Cave

PHOTOS OF THE HIKE ARE HERE:

https://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/ConejoCanyonsParadiseFallsThousandOaksFebruary2011# (https://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/ConejoCanyonsParadiseFallsThousandOaksFebruary2011)

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FOR A PRINTABLE TRAIL MAP WITH ROAD DIRECTIONS:

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DIRECTIONS TO MEETING SPOT: 45 miles west of downtown L.A. on the 101 freeway in Thousand Oaks, get off at Rancho Conejo Blvd., take it north 2 miles to where it ends at Conejo Center Drive, and turn left. The trail is about 500 feet west of this intersection.

DIFFICULTY: medium. We start at elevation 700', then drop down 200', then go back up 200' to the view of the Channel Islands, then drop down 300' into the canyon, then go up by 450' on the Lynnmere trail to Paradise Falls. Then take the Lynnmere back to our cars/mopeds/skates. All the trails are either wide fire-road or single-track (on the Lynnmere trail).

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RESTROOMS: are available at the hike mid-point, at the east loop of the Lynnmere trail just before we get to Paradise Falls

AS USUAL: Bring 2 to 3 quarts of water, hat, sunscreen, munchies, Gern Blanston repellent

AND CHECK OUT MY COMPENDIUM OF L.A. AREA MEETUP HIKES FOR THE WEEK: HTTP://LAMEETUPHIKES.BLOGSPOT.COM