Rabbit Ridge Adventure Hike to Simi Peak and China Flats

This hike, an HWD Original dating back to early 2009, is a strenuous 8.5 to 9 miles with 1000 ft net elevation gain (2200 total). A combination of utility roads, maintained, unmaintained and disappearing trails will create a dual loop hike. We'll have our post-hike lunch at Lamppost Pizza

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We will start out surrounded by wild lilacs and through a large hidden meadow. Soon we will be hiking among the fanciful sandstone formations, caves and arches of the Rabbit Ridge Trail.

After a couple of miles we'll ascend to Simi Peak where on a clear day you can see the Simi Valley, Conejo Valley, San Fernando Valley, Oxnard Plains, Pacific Ocean, and a few of the Channel Islands, and take our snack break.

(Other groups have attempted this route to Simi Peak and lost their way)

Then its onward to a loop around China Flats, an open area with clusters of oak trees and a vernal pond. We'll also be hiking with Seamus McFly -- For all you Back to the Future fans, China Flats was the filming area for 1885 Hill Valley.

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Highlights include

Oak Park Arch

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Artifacts from bygone days

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China Flats Pond

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Simi Peak - highest point in Simi
Little Tri Peaks
Falcon's Roost
The One Tree
Hikers' Nest

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I'm too lazy to find photos of each Check out the past hikes and see if you can spot them:

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=4761482

http://justdo262.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=17506944&AlbumKey=H8c5fj

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=813852

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=928739

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=607241

https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=480962

Experienced hikers only. Bring your best lugsoles for this one.

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Directions to Trailhead

From Highway 101/Ventura Freeway in Westlake,

-Exit on Lindero Canyon Road.
-Drive 2.8 miles north on Lindero and turn left on Kanan Rd
-After 0.2 miles on Kanan turn right on Falling Star Ave.
-Drive 1.2 mi all the way around to the end of the street and park. Trailhead is in a residential neighborhood so please keep noise level to a minimum.

From 23/Simi/Sunset Hills/TO, etc

• Exit Avenida De Los Arboles and go east to Westlake Blvd. Turn right
• Turn left onto Kanan for 2 miles
• Turn left on Windy Mountain, then left on Grey Feather, then left on Falling Star