What weâre about
Welcome to Hiking With Dean. Be sure to visit our web site at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/
Our hikes are based upon a simple philosophy: You should be able to go out your front door and within a few minutes be on trails winding your way through the local wilderness. Thus, most of our hikes are found in the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, Simi Hills and Conejo Valley.
Since our founding in 2007, HWD has become the largest and most popular hiking group in the country and 2nd largest in the world (after Outdooraholics London Hiking)*. I have personally led about 900 hikes logging over 100,000 hiker-miles.
All of our hikes are free. Most of our hikes are MEDIUM to DIFFICULT. Because of my own limitations we'll refrain from any serious rock climbing and avoid precarious ledges and ridges. But we do avoid fire roads when we can. Watch for the "no fire road rule" in the hike descriptions. See our hike rating guide at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/hike-rating-guide/
Our hiking group is different from the others. Instead of looking through Alltrails and hiking books for a hike, I look through my collection of old maps and aerials for forgotten ranch roads and old trails that I can add to the book hikes. Once upon a time our "open space" was home to ranchers, farmers, movie sets, homesteaders, and other characters that have left behind their marks for us to discover and uncover.
Become a HWD VIP at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/vip-circle. Its not required to join, but to help support the group we welcome and appreciate your gift of an annual $20.00. As an HWD donor member you become a HWDÂ VIPÂ with many benefits not available in other groups, for example, breakfast at the trail head, free prizes and other goodies, exclusive outings, no waiting lists, etc. Sounds better than the usual "please donate" other groups use, doesn't it?
*HWD has the largest membership per leader
THE RULES
â˘Â Don't be a flake by signing up and not showing up
â˘Â Read the hike description
â˘Â No dogs unless indicated in hike description (our special dog-friendly hikes)
â˘The following is not a rule, but if you want to avoid being a victim of sarcastic remarks do not ask a question that is answered in the hike description
Proud Member of:
- Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council
- California State Parks Foundation
- The Mountains Restoration Trust
- Montecito Trails Foundation
- Conejo Open Space Foundation
By joining you agree to the Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/liability-waiver/
A Few Testimonials
Dean is a wonderful leader. He really paid attention to the needs of the group. He facilitated the group, but didn't control the group. I will attend again -- Kimmy
If Dean [one of the original SoCal Meetup-ers mind you] would ever write a book on hiking SoCal [as he rightfully should] it would be a must-buy. Dean is both knowledgeable and adventurous. Conscientious and kind. I would have no problem hiking with Dean anywhere. - Les
Dean is a great hike leader. He knows the trails. â Lydia
The group leader Dean is very conscious of all of us hikers as a group. We all get to trek at our own pace comfortably and still stay together.He's got an agenda planned with an extra twist on where we are going to hike. â elyse
Dean is an excellent group leader who knows the trails very well. He is always looking out for the welfare of his hikers. The group attracts some of the most pleasant people you can hope to meet. â Bruce
What can I say? This group ROCKS!!! Some of the friendliest people I have met and the Organizer, Dean is a sweetheart! - Sara
Dean has organized the best group of hikers who like to hike and have fun. â Blake
Dean is extremely knowledgeable and serves up a seemingly endless array of hikes. A very pleasant and down-to-earth group of people who are easy to get to know ... and like â Drew
Dean is a strong hike leader with a friendly and outgoing group of people who know how to have fun while hiking - Laura
Sponsored by Amazon
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Hike to Century Lake to the MASH Site - Free Parking đ żď¸Grasslands Trail - HWD, Agoura Hills, CA
I will be helping to install the bridge (aka the Rainbow Bridge) to M*A*S*H* site Wednesday. This will be the first Meetup hike to the MASH site, via the Grasslands Trail, since removal of bridge last November. We'll stop by Century Lake along the way.
Bring a sack lunch for our break at the MASH site
Hike is a leisurely 6 miles with about 400' total ascent and rated EASY+. See the HWD Hike Rating Guide
Directions:
Free trailhead and street parking are on Mullholland Hwy about 0.2 mi west of Las Virgenes Rd.
Trail statistics are approximate. For safety purposes always assume they are underestimated. But donât be disappointed if they are
overestimated. Bring more water and snacks than you think youâll need.Trail descriptions are based on previous hikes. Current conditions are unknown until arrival. Expect the unexpected and plan accordingly.
The Organizers and members in this group are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Hiking With Dean Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities per the ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER.
- Weekday Hike: Harmon CanyonHarmon Canyon Preserve, Ventura, CA
Harmon Canyon Preserve includes 2,123 acres of ridgelines and canyons that feature diverse coastal sage scrub and coast live oak woodland habitats, ephemeral stream crossings with riparian scrub systems, and breathtaking views of our local coastline, the Santa Monica Mountains, and Channel Islands National Park. This spectacular preserve is the largest permanently protected open space in the Ventura area with public access, offering miles of trails for us to explore.
Hike will be about 7 miles and rated MEDIUM. See the HWD Hike Rating Guide
DIRECTIONS
Harmon Canyon Preserve is located at 7511 Foothill Road. Free parking is available located at the preserve trailhead off of McVittie Place. - Weekday Hike: La Jolla Valley Loop via Chumash TrailChumash Trailhead, Malibu, CA
Join us and the small animals and birds of La Jolla Canyon on this loop hike with panoramic views of coastline and The Channel Islands. Flower blooms in the spring are phenomenal. One of the the main attractions are large swaths of native California grassland â some of the last remaining unspoiled areas in the state.
Hike is rated DIFFICULT with about 8 miles with almost 2,000 feet total ascent. See the HWD Hike Ratings Guide
This hike is sponsored by Amazon Outdoors - https://amzn.to/2GnCP0a
DIRECTIONS
We meet at the Chumash Trailhead in Pt Mugu State Park. Its off of PCH about 2.5 miles south of Las Posas and 16.5 miles north of Kanan Dume Rd.Bring hat, sunscreen, plenty of water and snacks.