Hawk Canyon from Conejo Canyons - Fit Beginner

3 miles, 500' gain, fit beginner
Cross-posted with Thousand Oaks hikers.

This is a pot-luck hike. We'll be stopping at the half-way point by some picnic tables, so please bring food and drink to share, and any utensils your items might require.

Please park at the corner of Ranch Conejo Blvd and Conejo Center Dr in front of the City of Thousand Oaks Municipal Service Center (1993 Rancho Conejo Blvd).

We’ll hike a 1/4 mile south on Conejo Center Dr to the Conejo Canyons Trail Head. We’ll take the Western Plateau trail 0.6 mile down to Hawk Canyon dropping 175’ in elevation.

We’ll follow Hawk Canyon down (-130’ loss) another 3/4 miles to our turn around point where we will have our potluck.

** The parking lot near the trail head may close at sunset, so we recommend parking near the intersection of Rancho Conejo Blvd and Conejo Center Drive. Please pay attention to the no parking signs.

** If you plan on leaving before the group, please familiarize yourself with the planned route, which is posted with this description.

The Hike:

Distance: 3 miles
Gain: 500'
Distribution: Well distributed.
Difficulty (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781): Beginner.
Shape: Out and Back.
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 (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772).
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.

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. See "How hard is this hike" in the discussion section (LINK (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781)).

Stops:
The host may designate stopping points to let others catch up. This hike will include an extended stop for a snack and beverage (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772) share at the half way point. This hike does not have any junctions once past the first 500'. 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.

Directions:

Conejo Cayons
1993 Rancho Conejo Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
Park at: 34.205239, -118.933403

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.

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