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Let's enjoy potluck picnic before the concert.
If your item requires utensils, please supply them.
You may wish to bring your own cup, plate, and utensils in case there aren't any.
Snacks and/or beverages to share

Located at Chumash Park, 5550 Medea Valley Drive, Agoura Hills.

Field seating on grass - bring lawn chairs & blankets, food and drink to share.

Concert starts at 6pm.
For more information: 818-597-7361
www.agourahillsrec.org

Look for the location of members posted in the comments close to event time.

We'll all begin the climb together. Those doing the easier option will stop after 0.8 miles and wait for about 45 minutes until the rest of us return to this spot for our social event. While waiting, they can continue to climb any portion they want and return to this spot, or just take in the views.

The rest will continue for 1.3 miles until a flat rock. Those that want the hardest option, continue for another 0.5 miles and 250' gain to the end of the trail. Head back down the same way to the social event spot.

At the social event spot, we'll be rewarded with sweeping views of Simi Valley and will share snacks and beverages.

There is really no way to get lost on this hike, so everybody will move along at whatever pace they want.

Hike (click this link for a pic)
Distance: 4.0 miles (1.5 mi for easy option, 5.0 mi for hardest option)
Gain: 950' (400' for easy option, 1200' for hardest option)
Distribution: Most of the incline is concentrated in the first half.
Difficulty: Intermediate (Fit Beginer for easy option, Intermediate for hardest option)
Shape: Out and back.
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road, double track, single track.
Trail Variations: The entire first half is incline. Some of the trail is rugged sandstone. Some of the trail is covered in large gravel.
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. Not required, but recommended.
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.

Interesting Notes
Here are a couple plants you are sure to see on this hike:

California Encelia
Aka, California Bush Sunflower, California Brittlebush, Coast Sunflower, El Dorado.

Center is brown. When the center is yellow, it is Brittlebush, from the brittleness of the stems. This is from the daisy family, and it is typically used as an ornamental plant.

Mediterranean Mustard / Black Mustard
Mediterranean mustard seeds are yellow or white, while Black mustard seeds are brown or black. The flowers look the same.

Flowers, leaves (mustard greens), and roots are edible. Can be used as a spice. Grind seeds and mix with water and vinegar to make prepared mustard. This is often a very abundant noxious weed (has been designated by an agricultural authority as one that is injurious to agricultural or horticultural crops, natural habitats or ecosystems, or humans or livestock.). It grows everywhere along the sides of the trail, often having to be cut back during trail maintenance.

Did you know that cabbage, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and prepared mustard, are all from different parts of the wild mustard plant?

Directions
Chumash Trail
3200 Flanagan Dr.
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Coordinates of trailhead: 34.293497, -118.671176

From CA-118
I-118, exit Yosemite.
North on Yosemite for 1.3 miles.
Right (east) on Flanagan Dr. for 08. miles.
Continue until the street ends and park.

FAQ
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4 mi, 500' gain, beginner
Easier option: 1.5 mi, 125' gain, beginner.

This is a beginner hike on the beautiful Limekiln trail.

This hike is a slight lollipop, (the shape of the route). There are no extended inclines, however there are about 5 bumps in the trail with 25-40' gains, about 35-65 steps each. This is something a beginner would be able to handle, but these bumps will get the blood pumping, as they are like climbing up to 4 flights of stairs. There is nothing wrong with pausing for a breather while tackling these bumps in the trail.

The trail varies between asphalt, gravel fire road, single tracker, tree covered, hilly, roadside, wooded, open air, and strolls through the park.

We'll enter Limekiln Canyon, where we'll first encounter a heavily wooded park with large pine trees lining the trail and blocking out the sun. After about 0.2 miles, there will be a split. We can go either way because they rejoin after about 100 yards, but for this route, we'll go left.

After another half mile, the route makes a turn to the right. Those that want the super-easy route should continue straight for 100 yards to a log, where they can wait about 45 min for the rest of us to return for the social event.

The rest of the group will follow the trail to the right and continue for about 1.2 miles. We'll reach Sesnon Blvd., travel about 20 yards west, and head back in on a different trail.

After several hundred yards, we'll reconnect with the original trail for the return.

Just before we complete the last 3/4 mile, we'll turn right instead of left. After about 100 yards, we'll find a great spot with a giant fallen tree trunk to have a social event snack and beverage share.

After about 30-60 minutes, we'll continue the last 3/4 mile back to our cars. Those that don't want to stick around are welcome to head back to their cars by any route they choose, but I'll take a few splits to the left and cover some different trails, each that returns back to the original trail after several hundred yards.

There will be a couple creek crossings, where one will use a few stepping stones to avoid getting wet. Click HERE for route.

Interesting Notes
Here are a couple plants you are sure to see on this hike:

California Buckwheat
When the white flowers turn a rusty brown, they can be crushed into a powder, mixed with water, and baked into bread. The black seeds in the flower heads are also edible. Don't touch the white flowers if bees are around because they won't like it and may attack. A cold tea made from the leaves has been used to treat stomachaches and headaches. A warm tea made from the roots has been used to treat colds. The stems are stiff and flexible, so they have been used by Indians as piercing utensils.

Laurel Sumac
Red stems and outline along leaves. The dried flower bunches look like small trees, and are used by model railroad builders as such, after being dyed green. Laurel sumac is sensitive to cold and does not tolerate freezing conditions. Orange growers in the early history of southern California used to pick places to plant their oranges based on where laurel sumac was growing because this indicated it would not get too cold for oranges if laurel sumac could grow there. For some, the sap will irritate their skin just like poison oak, causing blisters. Also called "Taco Plant".

Directions:
Limekiln Canyon Trail
Porter Ranch, CA 91326

From the 118
Exit Tampa Ave (3 miles east of the Topanga Canyon exit) and head north for 1000'.
Left (west) on Rinaldi St. for 1000'.
Trailhead on the right (north).
Park on either side of the street.

The Hike
Distance: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 500'
Difficulty: Easy
Pace: 2.5 mph
Dogs: Yes
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No
Parking: Free on either side of the street in front of the trail head.
Trail: Varied. Good condition.

What to Bring:
Snacks and/or beverages to share
1-2 liters of water.
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.

FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability