What we’re about
This meetup is all about social interaction, mostly through hiking. We think mental health is just as important as physical health, and that makes us different from other hiking groups. If you are interested in hiking, making friends, having fun, and exploring the greater Los Angeles area, then this group is for you. Hiking, PLUS other stuff!
Please find a list of frequently asked questions under the "Pages" tab of the desktop display, or by clicking "here".
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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hawk Canyon lollipop - Potluck hikeConejo Canyons Trail Head, Thousand Oaks, CA
4.2 miles, 700' gain, easy-intermediate.
Easier option: 2.7 miles, 500' gain, fit beginner.This is a pot-luck hike. We'll be stopping at the 3/4 point by a picnic table, so please bring food and drink to share, and any utensils your items might require. You may wish to bring your own cup, plate, and utensils in case there aren't any.
We have had occasions where there were no utensils, so it might be wise to at least bring your own.
We start at Conejo Canyons Trail Head, 2010 Conejo Center Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320.
We'll hike downhill from the trailhead for 0.6 miles.
For the regular route, we'll turn left and continue uphill for 0.6 miles on the Western Plateau trail and follow the fire road around to the right at the top, then mostly flat for about a mile, then dropping for another 1/2 mile.
At the bottom and when coming to a junction, turn right onto Hawk Canyon. Our picnic spot is 1/4 mile up Hawk Canyon at the table under the trees.
For the easier option, instead of turning left at the first junction, we'll turn right. After 0.6 miles, the picnic area will be on the left.
After the potluck, we'll continue up Hawk Canyon in our clockwise loop for 0.6 mile where the trail ends back at the Western Plateau trail. Take a left up the hill back to Conejo Center Dr. For those that came on the easier option, it's a return the way you came.
** If you plan on leaving before the group, please familiarize yourself with the planned route, which can be accessed by clicking on the below link:
The Hike
Distance: 4.2 miles / 2.7 miles
Gain: 700' / 500'
Distribution: Well distributed.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate / Fit Beginner
Shape: Lollipop.
Pace: 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road and single track.
Trail Variations: Rolling stroll and ramp.
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.
Snacks and/or beverages to share
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
Insect repellent (optional).Hosting
Route: The host knows the route. A pic of the route has been posted as part of this description.
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. 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
Conejo Canyons Trail Head
2010 Conejo Center Dr.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
US-101, exit Ventu Park Rd, North.
Ventu Park Rd. North for 1 mile.
Right on Rancho Conejo Blvd., 1.3 miles.
Left on Conejo Center Dr.
Park on the street.FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability - Hike with Beach Party and FirePoint Mugu State Park/ Sycamore Cove Beach, Malibu, CA
2.7 miles, 650' gain, Easy-Intermediate.
A hike, then a potluck party on the beach with a fire.
Come for the hike, the beach party, or both!
Temps likely to be 70'sF during the day, 60-70F after 5p.Note: GPS has taken people to the incorrect location. Please read the written directions.
Please post in the comments if you will bring a fire wood bundle as your pot luck item.
Firewood (no construction wood please):
The Hike. 2 - 3:30p.
This hike is on the easy end of the intermediate spectrum. Beginners are welcome, but if it gets too hard, they can always turn around and go back the way we came. Nearly all of the elevation gain is in the first half.This is a social hike. The event host will be moving slowly and stopping at various points to let people catch up. Those that wish to move ahead at a faster pace, are welcome to do so if they know the route, but are on their own regarding navigation.
Meet at the Sycamore Canyon Trail head inside of Sycamore Canyon Campground, across from Sycamore Cove beach.
From the trailhead, we head up a mostly flat trail for about a 1/2 mile. Left onto the Overlook Trail, climbing 400' over the next mile. It ends, and we turn left. We follow the ridge for about 1/2 mile, with about 200' of loss and 100' of gain.
For return, we follow our tracks back to the scenic trail, turn right, and follow it down for 3/4 mile, again reaching Big Sycamore Canyon Trail, and turning right back to our starting point.
The Beach Party. 4 - 9:30p. Cars have to be gone by 10p.
We'll go back to our cars and gather up our things for the beach party. From the trail head, it's about 1/4 mile to the camp ground parking lot, then another 1/4 mile to the beach party area across the road at Sycamore Cove Beach. There are picnic tables and fire pits, but we must supply our own wood to burn. There is wood for sale at the camp ground across the street.If your pot luck item requires utensils, please bring them.
The fire pits on the beach are first come, first serve. We have members that will arrive early in the morning to secure our spot.
Please bring something warm to put on. It can get cool and windy near the beach as the sun drops. A chair and blanket recommended, water shoes if going in the water (gravel).
Sunset: 4:49p.
Prior beach events:
11/25/2023
7/8/2023
4/22/2023Hike
Distance: 2.7 mi.
Gain: 650
Distribution: All incline is in the first half.
Difficulty: Beginner end of intermediate spectrum.
Shape: Counter-Clockwise upside-down lollipop
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road, double track, and single track.
Duration: 1.5 hrs (hike), 5.5 hrs (beach party)
Dogs: Not on hike, yes on beach.
Restrooms: Yes
Drinking Fountains: Yes.Parking
Prices from 7/8/2023: Campground lot, $12 ($11 62+), gates close at 10p. Beach lot $12, $11 62+ (you need your license plate #, pay "Iron Ranger" machine upon entry).Alternate parking along the west end of PCH unil 10p, but you may have to walk 1/4 mile or so.
Parking space is limited, so please car-pool or arrive early in case you have parking issues. The beach lot closes at sunset and rangers announce this to beach goers, giving plenty of time to move your cars. What you paid for the beach lot also covers the campground lot parking cost, across the street, if room, else 1/4 mile down the street.
What to bring: 1 liter of water for every 3 miles.
Hiking shoes/boots. Not required, but recommended.
Sunscreen, Hat.
Food and drink to share for the beach pot luck.
Swimsuit towel, water-shoes if going in the ocean.Route Link
Navigation: Host memory and GPS navigation as needed.Directions
Pt. Mugu State Park
Sycamore Cove Beach (beach party)
Sycamore Canyon Trailhead (hike), Northeast corner, Inside Sycamore Canyon Campground, across from Sycamore Cove beach.
Malibu, CA 90265From CA-118
CA-118 West.
CA-23 South for 7.4 miles.
US-101 North for 10.8 miles.
Exit 53B Lewis Rd./CA-34.
Right (east) onto E. Daily Dr. for 0.1 miles.
Right (south) onto N. Lewis Rd. for 4.5 miles.
Becomes Hueneme Rd., continue for 0.9 miles.
Left on Las Posas Rd. for 3.1 miles.
Left on CA-1 for 5.9 miles.
Park in campground lot (left), beach lot (right), or on street west of lots.From US-101
Exit 55, Las Posas Rd.
Las Posas Rd. south for 7.5 miles.
Left on CA-1 for 5.9 miles.
Park in campground lot (left), beach lot (right), or on street west of lots.Official Info
Rules and Regs
Alcohol is allowedFAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability - Dos Vientos - Memorial Day PicnicDos Vientos Community Park, Newbury Park, CA
5.2 miles, 1140' gain, Intermediate
Beginner Option: 3.5 miles, 500' gain, Fit BeginnerCome to the hike only (2:30p), picnic only (4:00p), or both.
This event has limited space. 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, with priority to those that hike with us regularly.
Warning: Google Maps may take you to the incorrect location, although the address is correct. Please follow the written directions.
The Hike
2:30 pm at the parking lot entrance.We take the Park View trail, flat along a gravel track, moving around Dos Vientos park. It then gently rises into the hills, continuing onto the Powerline trail.
Some sections are strewn with small rubble but there are still clear foot paths along the edge. It will get the heart pumping. At the height of this point, there is a fantastic overlook.
For some additional challenge, one can continue another 0.85 miles for another 450' of gain and 190' on the return. It continues to the next electrical tower where the trail splits. This leads to the 2,200 feet high Conejo Mountain in Camarillo, CA.
Whether you decide to take the extra segment or not, you will be rewarded by great views. This trail offers panoramic views of the Oxnard Plain, the Pacific Ocean, numerous Channel Islands, Boney Mountain, Mugu Lagoon, and the Topa Topa Mountains.
I will be marking the trail with white arrows at junctions so that nobody gets lost and hikers can turn around at any point.
The Picnic
Approximately 4:00p.
When entering from Borchard, turn right immediately after the driveway, then left to the end of the lot. Alternatively, enter from Via Ricardo, picnic area on the right.This is a pot luck picnic. Please also bring something to eat and drink, and a little extra to share.
You can leave your pot luck item in the car and retrieve it after the hike. Please bring something to put on in case it starts to get cool.
Alcohol IS allowed in this park.
Photos from 2023The Park
The Dos Vientos building is open until 5pm. The park has plenty of parking in a paved lot, has indoor drinking fountains and bathrooms, and various picnic areas with barbecue grills.Interesting Notes.
You will see these on the hike.Prickly Pear Cactus
Inside and fruit are edible. Remove needles and scrape to remove hairs, cut top off, hollow out to make water container. Burn off needles. Fruit peels easily. Eat seeds and all. Use duct tape to remove thorns from hands.Lichen
A composite organism arising from algae, cyanobacteria, or both, and often fungi. They come in many colors. Not related to moss or any plant. They get all their food from photosynthesis, air, water, and minerals in their environment. Most comes from air, and therefore, can be used to monitor air pollution. 6% of earth's land surface is covered by lichens. This is the paint that gives the look of the rocks of Yosemite. 20,000 known species. Self-contained ecosystems. Some of the oldest living things. Can survive unprotected in space, surviving vacuum, fluctuating temperatures, and cosmic radiation. Used for making dyes, sometimes by boiling in water. Some are edible, some poisonous.Directions
Dos Vientos Community Park
4801 Borchard Rd
Newbury Park, CA 91320
34.175179, -118.981733From the 118
West to CA-23.
CA-23 south for 7.4 miles.
US-101 north for 4.1 miles.
Exit 47B Borchard Rd.
Borchard Rd. south for 7 miles.
Dos Vientos park entrance on the right.From CA-23
CA-23 south to US-101.
US-101 north for 4.1 miles.
Exit 47B Borchard Rd.
Borchard Rd. south for 7 miles.
Dos Vientos park entrance on the right.From US-101 (Camarillo/Ventura)
US-101 south.
Exit 47A Borchard Rd.
Borchard Rd. south for 7 miles.
Dos Vientos park entrance on the right.Hike Stats
Fit Beginner, 3.5 miles, 500' gain, 1.5 hours
Intermediate, 5.2 miles, 1140' gain, 2 hoursPace: 2.0 mph
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: Yes.
Drinking Fountains: Yes.
Parking: Free in paved lot.
Trail: Single track and fire road. Parts of the fire road have heavy gravel and rubble.What to Bring
1-2 liters of water.
A pot luck item and a beverage to share
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability - Fooz Fighters - Potluck Picnic and Concert in the Park1765 Royal Ave, Simi Valley, CA
Fooz Fighters
Many of us from this group will attend this event.Please bring food and drinks to share. If your item requires utensils, please supply them.
Concert starts at 6:30p.
About the band - click hereFree 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.
Rancho Simi Community Park
1765 Royal Ave.
Simi Valley, CA
