Hiking Plus

This route takes us through a beautiful canyon via a counter-clockwise lollipop. Most of the hike has a clear view of the sky, with a few parts that have tree cover. We'll be stopping at the half-way point for a snack and beverage share.

We'll start at the Palo Comado Canyon - Doubletree Trailhead (coordinates: 34.182480,-118.751785) and head east for 1/2 mile along the Doubletree Connector Trail. We'll turn left and head north along the Palo Comado for about 1 mile. We'll turn right (east) onto the Dead Cow Trail for 0.8 miles, where we'll come to an overlook on the left.

Slightly easier path:
Instead of turning onto the Dead Cow, continue on the fire road for just under 1 mile, and loop around to the right when you can. The turn continues until you have reversed direction and it rises up to the same overlook. It is about the same gain, but it is distributed accross about an extra 0.25 miles and is all fire road. This is also the return route.

There, we'll stop for a snack and beverage share. Then we'll continue down the Sheep Corral trail for about 700', turning left back onto the Palo Comado trail. From there, we'll head south 1.75 miles and turn right (west) onto the Doubletree Connector Trail and the final 1/2 mile back to the trailhead.

Hike (Link to Route)
Distance: 4.6 miles
Gain: 900'
Distribution: Most of the incline well distributed in the first half.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate.
Shape: Lollipop, counter-clockwise.
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road and single track. Areas of sand, gravel, and rock, some of it rugged.
Trail Variations:
Several extended inclines of 1000 steps.
Several steep sections of 300 steps, but no hands required.
Duration: 3.5 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.
Snack and Beverage Share

Hosting

Route: The host knows 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. This hike will include an extended stop for a snack and beverage share at the half way point. 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 some sticks. 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 (Palo Comado Canyon - Doubletree Trailhead):

From I-101
I-101, exit Kanan Rd.
Kanan Rd. north for 2 miles.
Right (east) on Sunnycrest Dr. for 0.6 miles.
Continue on Doubletree Rd. for 0.l miles.
Trailhead on the right, park along the street.

From CA-118, CA-23
I-118 west.
I-23 south for 4.8 miles, exit Avenida de Los Arboles.
Left (east) on Avenida del Los Arboles for 1.6 miles.
Right (south) on N. Westlake Blvd for 1.5 miles.
Left (east) on Kanan Rd. for 4.2 miles.
Left (north-east) on Deerhill Rd. for 0.3 miles.
Right at second cross street onto Doubletree Rd for 0.5 miles.
Trailhead on the left, park along the street.

Coordinates of trailhead: 34.182480,-118.751785
Address of a nearby house: 720 Clear Haven Dr., Oak Park, CA 91377

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For those that want the full hike, we'll turn right and complete a 3 mile loop with 500' of gain, stopping just before the end of the loop for a social event at the picnic table on the left, where we'll share snacks and beverages for about 60 minutes.

Easier Option.
For those that want to keep it beginner, don't turn right at the junction and continue for 1/4 mile and no gain. That same picnic table will be on the right.

Return.
Continue the loop for 1/4 mile, then a relatively flat walk back for about a mile. For those that took the easy option, that same return is the way we came.

Hike Distance: 5.3 miles, Beginner option is 2.5 miles.
Gain: 600', Beginner option is 100'.
Distribution: Most of the incline is concentrated in the second quarter.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate/Easier option is beginner.
Shape: Lollipop.
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road.
Trail Variations: The first mile is mostly flat.
All of the trail is well groomed and not rugged.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: Yes, at trailhead
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free in lot next to trail head.

What to bring:
1 liter of water for every 3 miles.
Hiking shoes/boots. Not required, but recommended.
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
Snacks and/or beverages to share

Hosting

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

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.

Interesting Notes

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

Wild Oats
The mature seed of the plant is used as a cereal grain. All oats have edible seeds, although they are small and hard to harvest in most species. Oats are hard to tell apart from weedy relatives, so the term "sowing wild oats" came to be used to describe unprofitable activities and destructive sexual liaisons of an unmarried young male that could result in children being born out of wedlock.

Red Brome
Grass like with thorny appearing tops. A sub-species of foxtail chess. Can lead to flash fires. Winter fires don't kill the seeds.

Directions:

Hill Canyon Trailhead
10241 Hill Canyon Road (address is before trailhead, continue to gravel lot on left)
Santa Rosa Valley, CA 93012
Coordinates of trailhead: 34.226495, -118.930374

From CA-118:
CA-118 west to CA-23 south.
Exit 19 Tierra Rejada Rd., turn right (west) for 0.5 miles
Left (south) on Moorpark Rd. for 1.4 miles.
Right on Santa Rosa Rd. for 3.7 miles.
Left on Hill Canyon Rd. for 0.6 miles.
Parking in gravel lot on left.

From CA-101 (from Camarillo and farther west):
Exit Santa Rosa Rd. north for 4.9 miles.
Turn right (south) on Hill Canyon Rd. for 0.6 miles.
Parking in gravel lot on left.

From CA-23 and CA-101 (from Thousand Oaks):
North on CA-12 for 3.1 miles.
Exit 16 Sunset Hills Blvd. and left (west) for 0.9 miles.
Left (west) on E. Olsen Rd. for 0.8 miles.
Right (north) on N. Moorpark Rd. for 1.9 miles.
Continue on Santa Rosa Rd. west for 3.7 miles.
Turn left (south) on Hill Canyon Rd. for 0.6 miles.
Parking in gravel lot on left.

Parking can be very tight because it is also popular with bicyclists. Car pooling suggested, because it would be sad for someone to not be able to hike because there isn't any place to park.

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The Route
• This is a lollipop with a counter-clockwise loop. We'll start at Coyote Park, across from the tennis courts on Valley Gate Rd.
• After heading across the park, we'll find a trailhead.
• We'll head up and wind around for about 3/4 of a mile.
• Then we'll make a sharp left and head up for about 1/2 mile.
• We'll stop at the bench atop the hill and have a social event and shack share that will last about an hour.
• Then we'll follow the ridge for about 3/4 of a mile on a relatively flat section, then another 1/4 mile down to the road. We'll wait there for everybody to catch up.
• Next, we'll follow the path alongside the road for about 500' (flat walk) and turn left. This will be a flat section that leads for almost a mile back to the park.

Directions

From CA-23
North, exit Olsen Rd.
Olsen Rd. east, becoming Madera, for 1.8 miles.
Right on N. Woodranch Pkwy until it ends after 2 miles.
Left on Long Canyon for 1.7 miles.
Left on Bluegrass St. (across from Challenger Park Rd.) for 750'.
Left on Valley Gate Rd. for 1/2 mile.
Park on the street next to the far end of Coyote Park.

From CA-118
Exit 1st st., south for 2.75 miles.
Right on Bluegrass St. (across from Challenger Park Rd.) for 750'.
Left on Valley Gate Rd. for 1/2 mile.
Park on the street next to the far end of Coyote Park.

Address of a nearby house: 284 Valley Gate Rd., Simi Valley, CA 93065

The Hike
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 700'
Difficulty: Intermediate
Pace: 2.0 mph
Dogs: Yes
Restrooms: No.
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free in the street alongside Coyote Park,
Trail: Double Track, Fire Road.

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.

FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability

Sagebrush Cantina
23527 Calabasas Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 222-6062

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