Conejo OS Challenge 6: Sunset Hills

The Conejo Open Space Challenge: For the second year, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA (http://www.conejo-openspace.org/)) is putting on an event to get us to experience some of the beautiful but possibly less well known trails in the Conejo Valley. To encourage us to complete the challenge, prizes are offered to some people who complete all ten segments of the Challenge before May 1, and also to those who take the best photos along the way. You prove you hiked the segments by emailing photos of a specific location to the organizer, or by joining this Meetup event. You can learn more about the Challenge from this flyer (http://www.venturacountytrails.org/COSCA/2013ConejoChallenge.pdf).

For our sixth challenge, we'll hike from the Erbes Rd trailhead to the Sunset Hills Blvd trailhead, and then back. Along the way we'll pass along an old trail that had become overgrown to the point where parts were impassible before it was revitalized during the October Annual COSCA Trailwork Day a couple of years ago and is now a lovely trail, we'll have a great view of the Bard Reservoir in Wood Ranch, and we'll have great overlooks of Sunset Hills along a long span of the trail.

Distance: 5.5 miles

Climbing: 1300' cumulative

Pace: We'll hike at a moderate pace so that novice hikers can join in. We'll need to hike together as a group so that nobody gets lost by taking a wrong turn at one of the several forks we'll pass through.

Driving Directions: From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, turn north on 23 towards Simi Valley. After 4.1 miles, take the Sunset Hills exit and turn east. Turn left onto Erbes Rd, the first cross street, then drive 0.7 miles and turn into the parking area on the right. If you pass under the 23 freeway, you've gone too far.

Map: Use this Google map to help you find your way http://bit.ly/135BSiD

Lunch: We'll be going out to lunch after the hike and you can join us if you like, but that isn't required to participate in this event. We'll be looking for suggestions as to where we should go to eat.

This hike is being cross-posted to the Fun in the Sun Club Meetup goup (http://www.meetup.com/fun-in-the-sun-Oxnard/).

The Fine Print/Please Read!

You don't need to RSVP "NO" if you can't make it--let's save the "NOs" for the folks that wanted to go, then needed to change their minds.

Wear lug soled shoes, long sleeve shirt and long pants for brush and tick protection, and dress in layers for comfort.

Bring at least 1 liter of water per 3 miles, snacks, lunch (if posted), hiking poles (if you use them), camera and the "Ten Essentials" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials).

Carry rain gear if the rain forecast is 20 percent chance or better.

Know your own capabilities and plan accordingly.

No guests or "plus ones" please. For liability reasons we must have everyone join the group, and agree to the standard Meetup "Terms of Service", especially section 6.2, here (http://www.meetup.com/terms/).

Be on time -- It is extremely rude to be late and expect 20 people to wait for you. Even if you call, it is still inappropriate to think that they should wait for you.

Don't be a no show -- How hard is it to remove your name? TAKE IT OFF IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT! The earlier the better so someone else that wants to go, can.

Any outdoors activity can be challenging, fun, or a painful experience, (often depending who you are with), even deadly and more painful depending on you, your abilities, circumstances and sometimes just bad luck. Accidents happen. Please do not sign up if you are not comfortable with what you are doing, or if you think you don’t have the needed skills for the event. You will be agreeing to take responsibility for yourself, your actions and not to hold organizer/group leader, participants, or anyone liable but yourself by signing up for this event.

Most importantly: Have Fun!