Hiking Plus

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.

FAQ
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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
https://www.agourahillscity.gov/government/departments/community_services/events___activities.php

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

At the bench, we'll share snacks and beverages, enjoy the views, and engage in social interaction for about a hour before returning the way we came.

It can get windy and cool in the evening, so I would recommend bringing something light to put on.

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

California Sagebrush
Aromatic when crushed. AKA, common sage, coastal sage. Sunflower family. Cowboys used to ride through it and brush up against the pine-shaped leaves, coming home with the smell on their clothes and giving rise to the nickname "Cowboy Cologne." Not a true sage. Can be used as a cooking spice and can be made into a tea. Tear off some needles by running your hand up the stalk and smell the aroma.

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. In the last summer, fall, and winter months, the flowers will have turned brown and the leaves we take on a greyer color.

Directions:

Rocky Peak Trail
Simi Valley, CA 93065
34.268396, -118.636139

From the 118
Exit Rocky Peak Rd.
Trailhead on the north side.

Park either at the trailhead (limited parking), or south of the freeway along Santa Susanna Pass Rd.

From the 101 @ CA-23
North CA-23 for 8.4 miles.
East I-118 for 14 miles.
Exit 32 Rocky Peak Rd.
Trailhead on the north side (left).

Park either at the trailhead (limited parking), or south (right) of the freeway along Santa Susanna Pass Rd.

The Hike
Distance: 4 miles, easier option 2 miles.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 950', easier option 550'.
Difficulty: Intermediate / Fit Beginner
Pace: 2.0 mph
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No
Parking: Free at the trailhead (limited parking, not recommended as you can get a ticket after sunset for parking there) or across the freeway 500'.
Trail: Fire road.
Purpose: Social

What to Bring:
1-2 liters of water.
Snack and Beverage Share
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.

FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability