Los Padres - Potluck Picnic

3.5 miles, 600' gain, Easy Intermediate.
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A fit beginner can handle this. This is rated Easy Intermediate (easy end of the intermediate spectrum) because there are a couple extended inclines. This is a social hike, not a conditioning hike.

We'll start by entering the Los Padres trail, through a spooky oak covered section, then move through until we come to a dead end. We'll turn right, and climb up to another junction, where we'll turn right onto the Los Robles trail.

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After 500 feet, we'll take a split off to the right and continue along the Vista Loop until we come to a bench at the top. Then we'll start heading down, and when we come to a picnic table, we'll stop for a social event. I call it the "Giant's Picnic Table" because of the thick pieces of wood used.

This is a pot luck picnic. Please also bring something to eat and drink, and a little extra to share. If your item requires it, bring plates and utensils to share. We'll share snacks and drinks (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772) for 30-60 minutes, before continuing down and around for our return.

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If you don't wish to stay for the entire social event, please study the map at the end of this description so you are able to navigate the remainder of this trail without the host

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Hike Distance: 3.5 miles
Gain: 600'
Distribution: Most of the incline well distributed in the first half.
Difficulty (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781): Easy Intermediate.
Shape: Loop.
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 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. 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.

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. If others follow, it is group hijacking: Incorrect routes may be taken and group splitting may occur. Please don't do this.

Interesting Notes

These are a couple plants you are likely to see on this hike:

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.

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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.

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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.

Release of Liability: https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/pages/29622459/Is_Hiking_Dangerous/