About us
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".
More about: Link
Terms:
By joining this group, You, for yourself and on behalf of your heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS Hiking Plus, its organizers and other participants ("RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for any Hiking Plus event.
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Upcoming events
11
Whitehorse Lollipop - Intermediate / Easier option
Triunfo Community Park, 1869 Tamarack St., Westlake Village, ca, USIntermediate, 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, CA91361From 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 Liability15 attendees
Avocado Festival - Carpinteria
5050 E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley, CA, USLet's take the train --- From Simi to Carp!
40th Annual California Avocado FestivalThis event is always such a fun time.
Below are links to this event from prior years:
October 2021
October 2022
October 2024
October 2025Advice: If you are taking the train, purchase tickets using the app or a computer, BEFORE arriving at the station and preferably, many days in advance. The train often fills and if you wait, the train you want might not be available.
Seating on the 765 Pacific Surfliner:
The route has 6 train cars. Even if the people at any given station enter a single car as a group, we won't all be seated as a group. Coach seating is not reserved, and many seats will already be taken from those that boarded from earlier stations. We will end up spread out as we pass through the train cars looking for an available seat.FESTIVAL ENTRANCE IS FREE!
Train is $20 each way from Simi Valley, arriving in Carpentaria 11:27a.
You may be able to book passage from other start locations.The gathering spot.
Most of us will arrive and gather just outside the train at the Carpinteria station at approximately 11:27a. The hike will start from there. The train schedules often change by a few minutes, and can run late.The Northbound 765 Pacific Surfliner:
6:40a Solana Beach, CA (SOL)
6:57a Oceanside, CA (OSD)
7:20a San Clemente Pier, CA (SNP)
7:37a San Juan Capistrano, CA (SNC)
7:52a Irvine (IRV)
8:04a Santa Ana (SNA)
8:13a Anaheim (ANA)
8:21a Fullerton (FUL)
9:13 Union Station (LAX)
9:26 Glendale (GDL)
9:36 Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
9:44a Van Nuys, CA (VNC)
9:59a Chatsworth, CA (CWT)
10:11a Simi Valley, CA (SIM)
10:25a Moorpark, CA (MPK)
10:39a Camarillo, CA (CML)
10:50a Oxnard, CA (OXN)
11:04a Ventura, CA (VEC)
11:30a Carpinteria, CA (CPN)Return Train Options
Carpentaria 1:05p Simi Valley 2:29p
Carpentaria 3:19p Simi Valley 4:40p
Carpentaria 4:57p Simi Valley 6:22p
Carpentaria 7:16p Simi Valley 8:40pTrain Trips
There are no machines to buy Amtrak tickets at the station and they cannot be purchased onboard. If you try to use their website from your phone, it isn’t optimized for phones and you may end up having some obscured buttons. Download the app.Sign up for guest rewards before you purchase your ticket. Otherwise, if for any reason you don’t receive their e-ticket, you won’t have a number for recalling your purchase and you’ll have to call their customer service number to get it resent.
Many of us will meet near the tracks in Simi Valley starting around 9:20a.
The link that follows is our approximate hike and festival path:
Link to RouteWe'll start with a hike. It is a mostly flat walk along the beach. No hiking shoes or poles needed, some even do it with bare feet. I prefer my regular hiking boots. Part of the path is rocky, and the return path is along the camp grounds.
We'll be along Carpinteria Bluffs & Beach with its tide pools & tar pits, then trip around back & forth between Islands Brewery, the Avocado Festival, Rincon Brewery & Giovani's Pizza, other great restaurants, etc.
This is a festival. We'll start as a large group for the hike, but as we finish that part, we'll be spread out. Some will even skip the hike part. Expect that people will drift on their own from place to place, and you'll likely run into and hang out with clusters from our group as you walk through the event, enjoying the food and drink.
Messages of interest
Watch the comments on your phone if you can for messages during the event.We'll let AMTRAK take us back at the end of the day!
ALTERNATIVELY: Drive yourself and meet at the Carpinteria station around 11:27a, or look for your hiking friends on the beach-front trails, along Linden Ave, and nearby breweries.
Festival Link
The festival runs from 10a - 10p on this day.67 attendees
Walk and Picnic on the Beach
Point Mugu State Park/ Sycamore Cove Beach, 9000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA, USWhen life gives you heat, have a beach picnic!
Let's walk and have a potluck picnic on the beach this Sunday.Enjoy some waok on the beauch, then a potluck picnic on the beach.
Come for the walk, the potluck picnic, or both!Note: GPS has taken people to the incorrect location. Please read the written directions.
Meet at the the management office on Sycamore Cove beach.
If you come only for the potluck picnic, Please look for us. Please note that there may be no signal at the beach.If your pot luck item requires utensils, please bring them.
Please bring your own cup, plate, and utensils for potluck.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:6:35 PM
Parking
• Hours: The day-use parking lot is open from 8:00 AM to sunset.
• Rates: $12 for all-day parking, or hourly rates at $3 for 1 hour, $6 for 2 hours, and $9 for 3 hours.
• Overflow Parking: Additional parking is available across the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) at the Sycamore Canyon Campground until 10:00 PM.Alternate parking along the west end of PCH until 10 PM, 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.
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 Liability16 attendees
Las Flores to Wildwood Canyon Picnic area - Fit Beginner
604 W Avenida De Las Flores, Thousand Oaks, CA, USFit 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, 91360FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability4 attendees
Past events
1202
