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!
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Upcoming events
11
50th Los Padres - Spooky Intermediate
Los Padres Trailhead, 15 Los Padres Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA, US3.5 miles, 600' gain, Easy Intermediate
Easy Option: 2.4 miles, 285' gain, Fit BeginnerHalloween Hike - costumes encouraged!
Time for another haunted HP hike, join us for a terrifying time on trail.Can you believe this is our 50th time doing this hike since this group was started? Wow!
We enter 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 continue climbing up. We'll come to another junction, where we'll turn right onto the Los Robles trail.
After 500 feet, we'll come to a split off to the right. We'll take this split and continue along the Vista Loop until we come to a bench. Then we'll start heading down, and when we come to the "Giants Picnic Table", which I call that because its parts are super thick.
We'll stop for a social event and share snacks and drinks for 30-60 minutes, before continuing down and around for our return.
Easy Option: In the reverse direction as the rest of the group, go 350' to the end of Los Padres Dr., left on S. Moorpark Rd. for 1000'. Enter the trail and follow it for about a mile. It will curve left and you will arrive at the social event.
Hike Distance: 3.5 miles, easy option 2.4 miles.
Gain: 600', each option 285'.
Distribution: Most of the incline well distributed in the first half.
Difficulty: 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: 3.5 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 shareHosting
Route: The host knows the route. A pic of the route has been posted as a link on this line.
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).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.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, or, lightly pound leaves with rock or club, or, scrape off skin. Roll between hands, then pull and separate fibers. Weave into cordage.
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. The prickly “cucumbers” consist not of fleshy fruit, but of two seed chambers containing lacy netting.
Directions
Los Padres Trailhead
15 Los Padres Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA, 91361From 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.FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability15 attendees
Chesebro Canyon MTB trail potluck hike (start 3:00PM)
5402 Chesebro Rd, Agoura Hills, CA, USTime change, start time change!
Fit Beginner 4.3 miles, 480' gain.
Easier Option: 4 miles, 230' gain.We walk a mostly flat section for 1.1 mi. to the 2nd junction.
Easier option: Continue straight for 3/4 mi., left at the split, right after another 500', arriving at some picnic tables on the right after another 750'.
Regular route: Left, heading up a switch back. Right at the top, and continue for 3/4 mi., turning right where it ends. Head down to the bottom, left at the split. After 750', we arrive at some picnic tables on the right.
This is a pot luck picnic. Please bring something to eat and drink 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. Pot Luck guidelines Link
We'll share snacks and drinks for 60-90 minutes, then return by a straight path, no turns.
Fun Facts
What is MTB?
Answer: Mountain Bike (not Mountain Terrain Bike)
The name I see on a map is: Chesebro Canyon MTB TrailWhy is it spelled Cheeseboro Canyon, Chesebro Canyon MTB Trail, and Chesebro Rd?
The original owner of the land in the late 1800s was Oscar Cheesebrough. The NPS adopted the U.S. Geological Survey spelling of Cheeseboro, while Caltrans adopted the name Chesebro.
Reference LinkHosting
Route
The host knows the route. A pic of the route has been posted as part of this description. The host may vary the route slightly.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:
We will stop at junctions to make sure everybody makes any turns, else something will be used to mark the direction.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.
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on leash and away from the picnic table.Directions
Chesebro Canyon MTB trail
5402 Chesebro Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301From I-101:
Exit Chesebro Rd..Palo Comado Canyon Rd.
Continue north. It becomes Palo Comado Canyon Rd and rotates west.
Right at Chesebro Rd. for 0.4 miles.
Park on the street.
After the 1 lane bridge, you've gone too far.FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability5 attendees
Chivo Tar Pits lollipop - Easy Intermediate with beginner option
5079 Westwood St, Simi Valley, CA, US4.75 miles, 700' gain, easy-intermediate
Option for 3 miles, 300' gain, easy.This is a link to the route: LINK
We start with a 1/4 mile walk from where we park along Cottonwood Dr, to the trail head. There we make a left and take a relatively flat section and hike for about 3/4 mile. We'll come to the same tar pits as the Tapo Canyon tar pit hike, and then continue for another 300 feet to a fire road.
We'll turn left and after about 300', we arrive at a trail junction, which is our social event area.
Easier Option: Those taking the easier option will wait there for 30-45 minutes for the rest to arrive back. They also have the option to turn left and start walking up the hill, turning around to return at any time, or turning back when they run into the fastest people taking the regular route making their way back down.
Regular Option: Those taking the regular route will make a gradual climb for 1 mile and about 450' of incline. At the top, continue straight and around to the left, down for 3/4 mile, arriving back at the social event area for 30-60 minutes.
Please bring food and drink to share.
Next we'll turn back and head the way we came down a mostly flat section for about a mile until we arrive back at the trail head. Then another 1/4 mile walk along Cottonwood Drive back to our cars.
There is a map of the route posted with this event.
Directions:
5079 Westwood St.
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Park on the street.The Hike:
Distance: 4.75 miles, option for 3 miles.
Elevation Gain: 700', option for 300'.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate with beginner option.
Pace: 2.0 mph
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: No.
Drinking Fountains: No
Parking: Free, along the neighborhood streets.
Trail: Single Track, Double Track, and fire road.
Purpose: SocialWhat 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. The last 30 minutes may get dark.FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability2 attendees
Las Llajas - Suitable for beginners
Las Llajas Canyon Trail trailhead, 5715 Evening Sky Drive, Simi Valley, CA, Simi Valley, CA, US5 miles, 500' gain, Beginner
This hike is a great trail for beginners because all the elevation gain is distributed. It is a walk down a rolling fire road through a really cool canyon, and you will find no difficult or extended elevation climbs.
This is one of my favorite trails for people new to hiking. It is an "out-and-back" hike, where we return the way we came, so there is virtually no chance of getting lost. You may be amazed that such a place exists right here in Simi Valley.
From the trail head, we'll walk down an asphalt path for several hundred steps and turn right onto a gravel fire road. After that, there will be no more turns. We may take a detour up a trail off to the right to see the first bee sanctuary, then return back to the fire road.
We'll continue on the fire-road for about 1 mile. We'll stop there (in the shade if summer) to allow others to catch up.
Then we'll take a 200' detour to the left to see another bee sanctuary, which continues in a half circle back to the fire road. Even though I haven't seen any actual bees there in a while, it's still interesting to see.
We'll continue for another 1.5 miles and have a social event, right on the trail. We'll share snacks and beverages. We may adjust the exact location if there are winds.
For the return, we go back the way we came.
There is a lot of wild life along this trail because it is the only area with water for quite a distance.
This is a social hike, not a conditioning hike. Still, for those that aren't interested in the beverage and/or snack share and want more of a workout, just continue on for another mile, then turn around and come back. That's about how long we'll be before packing up and heading back the way we came.
Interesting Notes:
Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)
Elongated yellow flowers. The Cahuilla Indians used the leaves interchangeably with other tobacco species in hunting rituals and as a poultice to treat swellings, bruises, cuts, wounds, boils, sores, inflamed throat, and swollen glands.It does not contain nicotine. It contains anabasine, a similar compound, which is highly toxic to humans and animals. It is more toxic than nicotine. Ingestion of the leaves can be fatal. It is being investigated for use as a biofuel. All parts of this plant are toxic.
Used as an insecticide. Do not smoke it.
The Hike
Distance: 5 miles
Gain: 500'
Distribution: Well distributed.
Difficulty: Beginner
Shape: Out and Back.
Pace: 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road.
Trail Variations: Rolling stroll.
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
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.Hosting
Route and 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. This hike does not have any junctions or turns once past the initial path down to the fire road. There may not always be a sweeper designated to be the last hiker.Since this hike is out-and-back on a wide fire road with no turns after the first 500', one cannot get lost. Therefore, for this hike, it will be acceptable to split from the group moving faster, slower, or otherwise at your own pace.
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 Llajas Canyon Trail
5715 Evening Sky Dr
Simi Valley, CA 93063From the west
23-N to 118-E, Exit 29 Yosemite.
From the east: 118-W, Exit 29 Yosemite.
Head north on Yosemite for 1.25 miles. Turn right (east) on Evening Sky Drive and proceed for 0.5 miles.
See the trail head on the left. Park along the street.FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability1 attendee
Past events
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