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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!
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Bevorstehende Events (4+)
Alles ansehen- 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: Dogs must be kept on leash and away from the picnic table.
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.FAQ
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Disclaimer / Release of Liability - Paradise Falls - The easy wayTennis Court parking lot, Thousand Oaks, CA
3.5 miles, 650' gain, Fit Beginner
A hike to Paradise Falls is one of the most popular things to do when visiting the area, yet a lot of people that live nearby rarely do this fun hike.
There are several paths. This route is the easy way to Paradise Falls and suitable for fit beginners.
The Route
To the Main Parking Lot
We'll be starting from the tennis court parking lot 4 blocks east of the trail head parking lot and across the road. We'll take a tunnel that goes under the road and make our way to the park side of the road. We'll turn right (west) for 1 block, where we'll see an entrance to the Moonridge trail that runs parallel to the road.We'll enter and make a right, following it around past the first set of junctions, continuing for about 1/4 mile, and then follow it around to the left instead of taking the stem to the right.
This will take us to the steps to the main trail head parking lot on the right side. We'll turn right, going up the stairs, and head across the lot to the entrance of the Mesa trail.
To the Tepee
We'll take that trail, past the gate, and after 2000', turn left on the North Tepee Trail. We'll follow this down for 2000' more to a large Tepee structure. We'll regroup, we can take a few pictures, there's a drinking fountain, and we can rest a moment.To the Waterfall
We'll then continue down to the Paradise Falls waterfall by following the zig-zag trail and taking a stair case down.The Snack Share
After a short visit, we'll return a different way, heading partly back up and across the back side of the waterfall along Wildwood Canyon trail. After about another 100 yards, we'll come to a couple picnic tables on the right where we'll share snacks and beverages.Returning Early
If you head back early instead of staying for the entire social event, you are responsible for finding your own way back, although there is almost always someone leaving early that knows the route. Please study the map in this description.Continuing with the group
For this hike, we'll take the easiest way back. We continue on this trail and it comes to a dead end, we make a right and then immediate left onto the Indian Creek trail. We'll follow this all the way back to our cars, making a right towards the end when it dead ends again.Some Plants on this 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 or scrape off needles - even stones can be used if you don't have a knife. Fruit peels easily. Eat seeds and all. Use duct tape to remove thorns from hands.Lemonade Berry
Some saps can produce skin allergic reactions. Good kindling. Usually, the berries are toxic. They are covered with a gooey sour (like lemon) coating. Hikers sometimes drop a seed or two into their water bottles to give the water a tang. Wide leaves, rounded tips, edges are smooth, dull on back. Can only be found in the California hills.Directions:
Wildwood Park
635 W Avenida De Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360This is not the main trailhead lot. Go to the tennis and basketball parking lot (Wildflower Playfield).
If the lot is full, there's another lot 500' east, or park in the neighborhood across the street.
From the 118:
CA-118 west to CA-23.
Continue south on CA-23 to exit 15 for 4.8 miles, W. Avenida de los Arboles
Turn right (west) on Avenida de los Arboles for 3.3 miles until 4 blocks before it ends. There will be tennis courts on the right with a parking lot.From CA-23:
CA-23 to exit 15, W. Avenida de los Arboles
West on W. Avenida de los Arboles for 3.3 miles until 4 blocks before it ends. There will be tennis courts on the right with a parking lot.The Hike
Distance: 3.5 mi, 3 1/2 hrs
Elevation Gain: 650'
Pace: 2.0 mph
Difficulty: Fit Beginner
Dogs: Yes
Restrooms: Yes - at the start
Drinking Fountains: Yes
Parking: Free
Trail: Double and single track, fire road.What to Bring:
1-2 liters of water.
Snacks and/or beverages to share
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp for evening hikes.
Insect RepellentFAQ
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Disclaimer / Release of Liability - Long Canyon - Upside down lollipop572 Bannister Way, Simi Valley, CA
Easy Intermediate, 4 miles, 900' gain
The address given, is not the address of the hike. It is a nearby address that may cause your GPS to drive past the trailhead.This is an upside down lollipop that takes us first to the highest point in the area where the views are fantastic. The return is down around the back side of the hill at the parking lot.
There is an initial climb for about 2/3 miles and 425' of gain that can be strenuous for many if done non-stop, and there is one other strenuous climb of just under 1/2 mile and 225' of gain up a fire road. All the rest of the portions of this hike are down or have mild climbs.
Starting from the Long Canyon trailhead parking lot, we head up Long Canyon Trail to a bench. We'll regroup and let others catch up,then continue on past the five-points intersection and up to the next bench. We'll take in the views and have a social event for 30-60 minutes.
We'll head back to the first bench. Those that just want to get back to their cars ASAP can take the right trail down to the lot. The rest will continue up the Sunrise trail and follow it all the way to the Woodridge Loop trail at the top of an asphalt path.
We'll take a "sometimes not easy to see" entrance on the right, getting on the Woodridge Connector and take it back to the parking lot.
Interesting Notes:
Turkey Mullein
Smashed leaves can be thrown into the water to stupify fish, causing them to float to the surface, a practice illegal in most states. The seeds are not toxic to birds and are enjoyed especially by doves and wild turkeys.Ancient Greeks rolled and dried the leaves, then used them as wicks for oil lamps. It stalks were used as torches burned at funerals. Many tribes employed the use of mullein leaf tea for coughs, colds, and rheumatism. They considered it to be analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and expectorant. The astringent and demulcent properties of the leaf tea were found useful in cases of diarrhea.
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.Hike
Distance: 4 miles
Gain: 900
Distribution: Most of the incline is in the first 15 minutes of the hike. The second strenuous climb is up a fire road, after 1000 more steps, going up another 0.4 miles.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate
Shape: Upside down lollipop, clockwise.
Pace: 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road, single and double track. Areas of sand, gravel, and rock, some of it rugged.
Trail Variations: The beginning is a tough climb.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free in the paved parking area in front of the trail head.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.Hosting
Route: The host knows 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.Those that wish to return immediately instead of hanging around during the snack and beverage share, should memorize the route so they can safely return on their own.
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.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. There may not always be a sweeper designated to be the last hiker.
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
Where Long Canyon Rd. and S. Wood Ranch Pkwy. intersect in Simi Valley. There is a free paved parking lot at the trailhead on the southwest corner.From CA-23 and I-101:
North CA-23, exit Olsen Rd.
Right (east) on Olsen Rd., which becomes Madera Rd., for 2 miles.
Right (south) on N. Wood Ranch Pkwy., which becomes S. Wood Ranch Pkwy., for 2 miles.
Right at dead end (intersection with Long Canyon Rd.) and immediate left into parking lot.
Trailhead at the opposite corner.From CA-118 and CA-27:
West CA-118, exit 23 onto 1st St.
Left (south) on 1st St., which becomes Long Canyon Rd., for 5 miles.
Cross at dead end (intersection with S. Wood Ranch Pkwy.) and immediate left into parking lot.
Trailhead at the opposite corner.Coordinates of trailhead: 34.228330, -118.803130
Address of a nearby house: 572 Bannister Way, Simi Valley, CA 93065FAQ
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Disclaimer / Release of Liability - Memorial Day - Picnic and Concert - DSB (Journey Tribute)Conejo Community Park (Hendrix), Thousand Oaks, CA
Picnic and Concert
Many of us from this group will attend this event. We'll start picnicing a few hours before the concert.Bring food and drinks to share.
If your item requires utensils, please supply them.Please post in the comments, if you can bring a table.
Bring blankets and lawn chairs. A variety of gourmet Food Trucks and Dessert Trucks will be on-site and available for purchase.
Please bring something to put on, as it often gets cooler in the evening.
Concert starts at 5:00p.
DSB - Don’t Stop Believing is highly revered as the world’s greatest Journey tribute band!
About the band - click herePark on the surrounding streets. Drop your stuff off at the park if you don't want to carry it.
No pets please.
Look for the exact location posted in the comments close to event time.
Link to Conejo Recreation and Park District
Conejo Community Park
1175 Hendrix Avenue
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
