Hiking Plus

Easier Option (unhosted): 2.4mi, 550' gain. (link to map).
497 Hillsborough St, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361

We'll start by entering the Los Padres trail, through a spooky oak covered section, then climb until we reach the fireroad at the 1/2 mile point. We'll stop and regroup here.

We'll turn right up the fireroad and climb for about a 1/2 mile to another junction, where we'll turn right onto the Los Robles trail. After 500 feet, we'll take a split off to the right and continue along the Vista Loop for another 1/2 mile until we come to a bench at the top.

We'll have a potluck here and watch the fireworks.
You may wish to bring something to sit on, such as a camp chair or a blanket. The bench and area around it will be used to place our potluck items.

We'll follow the reverse route back to the cars sometime after the fireworks. It will be dark on the return trip, so please bring a light.

Please bring something to eat and drink, we'll share snacks and drinks.
If your item requires it, bring plates and utensils to share.

If you wish to leave early, please study the map posted with description so you are able to navigate the return without the host.

Hike Distance: 3.25 miles
Gain: 600'
Distribution: Most of the incline well distributed in the first half.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate.
Shape: Out and Back
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire Road, Single-Track, and Double-Track.
Trail Variations:
Several extended inclines of 1000 steps.
Several steep sections of 300 steps, but no hands required.
Duration: 3.0 hours
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free along street.
What to bring: 1 liter of water for every 3 miles.
Hiking shoes/boots
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
Snacks and/or beverages to share.

Hosting
Route: The host knows the route. A pic of the route LINK
Navigation: Host memory, enhanced by GPS navigation as needed
Hike type: Social.
We won't be hiking at a fast pace because this is a social hike, not a conditioning hike. There is nothing wrong with stopping, even if it means every 50 steps.

Stops:
The host may designate stopping points to let others catch up. We will stop at junctions to make sure everybody makes any turns or chooses the correct direction at splits, else something will be used to mark the direction, usually a large arrow made of baking soda. There may not always be a sweeper designated to be the last hiker.

Interesting Notes
Yucca
White flowers on stalk. Stalk is often missing, leaving only the spires from which it grows. Stalks are very strong and light, so they make good walking sticks. Needles on end of spires. Chopped up root can be uses as shampoo or soap. Roasted root can be eaten like a potato. Illegal to remove live stick in CA.

Pronounced with short u. Dried leaves make good tinder. To eat root, remove skin and core, boil 15 minutes. Then fry or bake. Flowers are mildly sweet. Adam says they taste like radishes. The fruit is also edible, but bitter if not ripe. To access fibers: Soak for a month in water, lightly pound leaves with rock or club, or scrape off skin. Roll between hands, then pull and separate fibers. Weave into cordage.

Wild Cucumber
Toxic. Boil fruit in water to make spikes easy to remove. Inside is a natural luffa. Tubars (thickened part of a stem, usually underground, like the potato) can be crushed and thrown into water to immobilize fish.

Almost the entire plant is poisonous. Although wild cucumbers are related to the familiar, domestic vegetable, the prickly “cucumbers” consist not of fleshy fruit, but of two seed chambers containing lacy netting.

Directions
Los Padres Trailhead
15 Los Padres Dr.
Thousand Oaks, CA, 91361

From I-101:
West of CA-23, I-101, exit S. Moorpark Rd.
South on Moorpark Rd. north for 1000 ft.
Left on Los Padres Dr.
After 200 ft, trailhead on the right.
Park on the street.

FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability

Let's enjoy potluck picnic before the concert.
If your item requires utensils, please supply them.
You may wish to bring your own cup, plate, and utensils in case there aren't any.
Snacks and/or beverages to share

Located at Chumash Park, 5550 Medea Valley Drive, Agoura Hills.

Field seating on grass - bring lawn chairs & blankets, food and drink to share.

Concert starts at 6pm.
For more information: 818-597-7361
www.agourahillsrec.org

Look for the location of members posted in the comments close to event time.

Easy Intermediate, 3 miles, 600' gain
Easier Option: 2.4 mi, 530' gain. (5 Washburn St, Simi Valley, CA 93065, or 89 La Paz Ct, Simi Valley, CA 93065 to save another 500' distance).

We'll meet in the parking lot at the northeast corner of Madera and Royal, just south of the Donut Delite, on the east side of the Clinicas office. We'll walk from there to the trailhead at 2 Washburn St. where it meets Los Amigos Ave.

The Hike
Easy end of the Intermediate Spectrum, due to the 1 mile continuous incline that can get exhausting. A fit beginner can easily complete it.

We cross Madera and continue through the neighborhood for about 1500', to the intersection of Washburn St. and Los Amigos Ave. Then we enter a path behind the houses and proceed for 250' to the entrance. So far, there will have been very little elevation gain.

For those that want a little easier option start at this address: 1366 Los Amigos Ave, Simi Valley, CA 93065. Join the group as we pass.

We'll enter a series of switchbacks (zig-zag trail) for 1.2 miles to a large cross at the top. This is a steady climb across the face of the hill, always in full view of the neighborhood below. Beginners may find this climb difficult to continue at a fast pace. There is nothing wrong with slowing down while faster hikers move ahead, or resting for a minute several times during this climb.

It may seem easy to get lost because there are many different cross-paths up the face of this hill, but they all lead to the same place. Generally, whenever there is a choice of "left or right", we take the easier and more worn path. If you happen to find yourself alone and take a wrong turn (aka steep cut), all paths lead up.

At the top by the cross or one of the nearby benches, we'll enjoy the gorgeous 360 degree views and share beverages and/or snacks.

Interesting Notes
Here are a couple plants you are sure to see on this hike:

Black Sage
Multiple brown buttons going up the top of the stalk, that may have white flowers. Green leaves. Purple or white flowers that are dark brown as they dry on the plant. Squish the leaves and smell.

A rare and sought after Black sage honey is also made from the honey of bees that pollinate the Black sage plant. Black sage is utilized in the culinary world as an aromatic and flavorful herb. It can be used in recipes wherever traditional sage is called for, however keep in mind that foraged Black sage has a much stronger flavor than that of traditional store bought sage.

Its flavor goes well with winter squashes, brown butter, poultry, venison, pears, cheese, potatoes and other herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Use fresh in a variety of different preparations or leaves. Can be dried and stored for future use as a dried herb. Black sage was used traditionally by Native Americans known as the Chumash people to form an herbal soak for the bath to be used in the treatment of bodily pain, specifically for the feet and lower legs.

Purple Sage
Grey-green leaves. Aromatic when crushed. Purple flowers. Aka, Tobacco Sage, with mild hallucinogenic properties when smoked. Can be used as a spice or made into a tea. Tea has medicinal affects: Antiviral, gargle for sore throats, reduce hay fever symptoms and other drying actions.

Distance: 3 miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 700'
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate
Duration: 3 1/2 hours
Pace: 2.0 mph
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: Yes - at nearby places of business
Drinking Fountains: Yes - at nearby places of business
Parking: Free
Trail: Mostly single-track, excellent condition
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.

What to Bring
1-2 liters of water.
Snacks and/or beverages to share
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.

Directions
For those doing the regular route:
1424 Madera Rd, Simi Valley, CA 93065

FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability

Concert starts at 6:30p.
About the Band

Free parking available on-site. Overflow parking is on the softball fields, off Thompson.

Dogs on a leash are allowed on the perimeters but not in the main event area.

Alcohol is permitted.

Look for the location of members posted in the comments close to event time.

Link to RSRPD Summer Concert Series

Rancho Simi Community Park
1765 Royal Ave.
Simi Valley, CA

FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links