Hiking Plus

Fit Beginner - 4 miles, 600' gain
The gain is well distributed, with half being on the return.

We start at the Las Flores trailhead where Las Flores dead-ends at Wildwood Park, and head west. After 1/3 mile, the trail becomes Wildwood Canyon Trail. We continue for another 2/3 mile and cross a bridge just past the Meadows Picnic area.

We'll make a left, continuing on Wildwood Canyon Trail, past the Tee Pee Trail, behind Paradise Falls, left at the split, and after about a mile, Wildwood Canyon Picnic area will be on the left. There will be several tables.

This is a potluck picnic. Please bring some food and drinks to share.
If your item requires it, bring plates and utensils to share. You may wish to bring your own cup, plate, and utensils in case there aren't any.
We'll share snacks and drinks for 60 - 90 minutes, before heading back the way we came.

The Hike
Distance: 4 miles
Gain: 600'
Distribution: Well distributed.
Difficulty: Fit Beginner
Shape: Out and Back.
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire Road, Single-Track, and Double-Track.
Duration: 4.0 hours
Dogs: Dogs must be kept on leash and away from the picnic table.
Restrooms: Yes, at the picnic area.
Drinking Fountains: Yes, at tje picnic area.
Parking: Free along street.

What to bring
1 liter of water for every 3 miles.
Hiking shoes/boots.
Flashlight or headlamp (if it will be dark during any part of the event).
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
Snacks and/or beverages to share.

Hosting

Route: The host knows the route. Click the link to see the route.

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 or sticks in the shape of an arrow. There may not always be a sweeper designated to be the last hiker.

Each hiker is responsible for knowing their capability, only attending events where they are able to sustain the described pace, for keeping up with the group sufficiently enough to make the turns and not get left behind, and for making sure the host is notified if they are going to split from the group.

Group separation: Sometimes hikers wish to move significantly ahead and not wait at designated stopping points. Please let the host know. They are on their own regarding route and navigation.

Directions
Las Flores Trailhead
604 W Avenida De Las Flores
Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360

FAQ
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Please join us for the Hiking Plus Annual Holiday Dinner.

This is a sit down dinner with our Hiking Plus friends in a private room. Because of limited space, everybody initially goes on the waiting list.

This is a reservation event. Please RSVP only if you plan on showing up at event time, and remove your RSVP as soon as possible if you can't wait to be confirmed or can no longer attend.

Checks will be by table, so please bring cash and assume 20% gratuity.
I have arranged to order from the menu. Please be prepared to pay in CASH.

There will be multiple tables with open seating, so please be kind if you don't get to sit with your favorite fellows. If you remain on the waiting list on the day of the event, or you just want to come for dessert, you may try to make your own reservation, or join us in the back room area for drinks at about 8:00 pm.

Don Cuco's is open until 10p. There MAY be a BYOB after party at a member's house nearby. If so, location to be distributed that evening.

If the room fills to capacity, and additional space is available, we'll be sure to reserve it if possible.

Those still on the waiting list, will be moved to the RSVP list several days before the event, or even the day of the event, if there is space.

Note: Last year there was a long waiting list. By the day of the event, we were able to most still on the waiting list, to the RSVP list, so please be patient.

Don Cucos
Website Link
Tapo Oaks Shopping Center
3991 Cochran St
Simi Valley, CA 93063
805-583-5944
Open until 10p

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Fit Beginner 4.3 miles, 480' gain.
Easier Option: 4 miles, 230' gain.

We walk a mostly flat section for 1.1 mi. to the 2nd junction.

Easier option: Continue straight for 3/4 mi., left at the split, right after another 500', arriving at some picnic tables on the right after another 750'.

Regular route: Left, heading up a switch back. Right at the top, and continue for 3/4 mi., turning right where it ends. Head down to the bottom, left at the split. After 750', we arrive at some picnic tables on the right.

This is a pot luck picnic. Please bring something to eat and drink to share. If your item requires it, bring plates and utensils to share. You may wish to bring your own cup, plate, and utensils in case there aren't any. Pot Luck guidelines Link

We'll share snacks and drinks for 60-90 minutes, then return by a straight path, no turns.

Fun Facts
What is MTB?
Answer: Mountain Bike (not Mountain Terrain Bike)
The name I see on a map is: Chesebro Canyon MTB Trail

Why is it spelled Cheeseboro Canyon, Chesebro Canyon MTB Trail, and Chesebro Rd?
The original owner of the land in the late 1800s was Oscar Cheesebrough. The NPS adopted the U.S. Geological Survey spelling of Cheeseboro, while Caltrans adopted the name Chesebro.
Reference Link

Hosting

Route
The host knows the route. A pic of the route has been posted as part of this description. The host may vary the route slightly.

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:
We will stop at junctions to make sure everybody makes any turns, else something will be used to mark the direction.

Each hiker is responsible for knowing their capability, only attending events where they are able to sustain the described pace, for keeping up with the group sufficiently enough to make the turns and not get left behind.

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.

Other
Dogs must be kept on leash and away from the picnic table.

Directions
Chesebro Canyon MTB trail
5402 Chesebro Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

From I-101:
Exit Chesebro Rd..Palo Comado Canyon Rd.
Continue north. It becomes Palo Comado Canyon Rd and rotates west.
Right at Chesebro Rd. for 0.4 miles.
Park on the street.
After the 1 lane bridge, you've gone too far.

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Intermediate, 5.25 mi, 1000' gain
Easy option: 2.8 mi, 700' gain.
Even easier option: 2.2 mi, 600' gain.

Fit beginners can complete this hike, but it will certainly get their blood pumping. This is not a conditioning hike, it's a social hike. We'll be stopping at various points to let people catch up and to make sure they make any turns.

We'll start by climbing the Triunfo Canyon trail for 0.9 miles. Those that want the "Even easier" route will make a left, and after 50 feet, turn right at the fire road dead end and continue for 0.9 miles to a staircase on the right, where they can wait for the rest of us.

The rest will continue for 0.35 miles, where we'll hit a plateau. We'll stop there and regroup, taking in the views.

Those that want to take the "Easy option" will go left for 0.2 miles and 110' gain to the social event spot.

The rest of us will continue onto the Los Robles trail, a fire road, for another 1.25 miles, at which point we'll come to a junction heading down.

We'll head down and then up, the Whitehorse Canyon trail for 1 mile, then make a left onto the Conejo Crest Trail. We'll follow that trail for 3/4 mile to a set of stairs and a bench. There, we'll have a snack and beverage share social event for 30 – 60 minutes before heading down the last mile back to our cars.

Returning, we'll go down the Brookview trail for 0.2 miles, making a left when we can, going about 100 feet before turning right at a dead end, and taking the Triunfo Canyon trail back down the way we came.

The Hike
Distance: 5.25 miles / 2.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000' / 700'
Difficulty: Intermediate / Easy Intermediate
Pace: 2.0 mph
Dogs: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Drinking Fountains: Yes
Parking: Free at the trail head.
Trail: Varied. Good condition.

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

Directions

Triunfo Community Park
1869 Tamarack St.
Westlake Village, CA91361

From Simi Valley:
CA-118 west to CA-23 south
CA-23 south for 7.4 miles
US-101 east/south for 1.5 miles, exit Hampshire Rd.
Right on Hampshire Rd. south for 1/2 mile
Right on Triunfo Canyon Rd. for 1/2 mile
Right on Tamarack St. for 1000' to dead end.
Left into parking lot.

From the East:
US-101 west/north, exit Westlake Blvd.
Left on S. Westlake Blvd. for 1 mile
Right on Triunfo Canyon Rd. for 1/2 mile
Left on Tamarack St. for 1000' to dead end.
Left into parking lot.

FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability