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
âąÂ Don't be a flake by signing up and not showing up
âąÂ Read the hike description
âąÂ No dogs unless indicated in hike description (our special dog-friendly hikes)
âąThe 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 (3)
See all- E.T. Hike - đ¶s OKLimekiln Canyon - Corbin Trailhead - HWD, Northridge, CA
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hikingwithdean/
We've been following the footsteps of ET since 2008 with the original HWD ET hike and its become one of our most popular hikes. Weâll be hiking on a section of the The Palisades featured in the movie, and will take our snack break at âE.T. Parkâ (Aliso Canyon Park) where they filmed some scenes from ET.
The open spaces and trails lacing Porter Ranch provides us the opportunity to wander the remaining vestiges of two riparian canyons and a cliff-rimmed hillside blanketed with aromatic sage. So let us set out for the suburban stronghold of Porter Ranch for a variegated loop through the hidden wilds and wild suburbia of the north valley including Aliso Canyon and Limekiln Canyon. Two oak-and sycamore-shaded canyons and eroded sedimentary outcroppings known as âThe Palisadesâ are some of the highlights.
đ„Click or tap here for complete hike description with a special video that juxtaposes our hike with movie scenes
đșPost hike lunch is at Islands down the street at 11400 Porter Ranch Dr
Don't forget hiking gear for your dog: https://amzn.to/3uk05AP
Hike is about 8.3 miles with about 1,300 ft total ascent. And is rated MEDIUM. See hike rating guide here: https://www.hikingwithdean.com/hike-rating-guide/
Directions to Trailhead
Head for the North Valley YMCA on Corbin Ave. Before you get to the entrance (traveling north), park on street -- you will see the YMCA sign.Important
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.
âThe Organizers and members of Hiking With Dean 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 our ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER (see https://www.meetuphikes.com/liability-waiver) and Section 6.2 of the Meetup.com Terms of Service.
- SMMTC 19th Annual Backbone TrekLa Jolla Canyon, California, CA
Get the book https://amzn.to/3TExnuq
Backbone Trail Trek
Saturday-to-Saturday
May 4th - May 11thGear up at the Amazon Hiking & Camping store
Here is an opportunity to hike the 67 mile Backbone Trail end to end in 7 days. Registration is now open for The Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council BBT Trek for 2024.
For more info go to https://www.smmtc.org/bbtrek/
Cost is $550 and they will handle all the logistics, food, transport to campsites, etc. You only need to provide your own camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc) that will be trucked for you between campgrounds so you don't need to carry it. Gear up at the Amazon Hiking & Camping store
Event is limited to 25 hikers
This is not an HWD event. You must register with SMMTC to attend For more info go to https://www.smmtc.org/bbtrek/
