Hiking Plus

5.4 miles, 1050' gain, Easy Intermediate
This hike is one of the most beautiful hikes in Simi Valley. There are 3 extended inclines, about 1000 steps each, on fire road. They are not especially steep, but they do continue for some time, which is why it is rated "Easy Intermediate." There are also several small hills of 100 steps or less.

The extended inclines will get the blood pumping during this lollipop hike. We'll be moving through the famous Tapo Canyon and visiting natural tar pits that bubble up from the ground.

The first pit is really a puddle that looks like someone spilled a couple 55-gallon drums of tar that was later contained using a spill rope. The next two are a little larger, again, contained by spill ropes to keep the sticky black tar from getting on the trail. You will see dinosaurs and sometimes body parts, and I'm not kidding.

From the trail head, we'll start on a leisurely stroll for about 0.6 miles, followed by a steady climb for the next mile, completing the first extended incline.

We'll turn left at the junction, climb a small hill of a couple hundred steps, and then head down for 1.5 miles.

We'll make a right turn down a smaller trail and go for about 100 yards until we reach the tar pits. After looking around for a bit, we'll head back, and after 0.25 miles, we'll come to another junction where we will stop and share snacks and beverages.

For the return, we'll turn left and there will be a steady climb for about 3/4 of a mile to another junction. We'll turn left again and return down for about 1.4 miles to complete the lollipop.

Easy option (no host): 3 miles, 300' gain.
Park at 5079 Westwood St, Simi Valley, CA 93063. Follow Cottonwood Dr/Yosemite Ave south (down) 1000' to the trailhead. Enter and turn immediately left. After 350', there is a split. It doesn't matter which you take. The right (upper) is single-track, the left (lower) is fire road. After ½ mile, the two trails merge into the fire road. After 600', you arrive at the tar pits. Keep going another 600', left at the dead end, and 1/3rd mile to the social event location. Return the way you came.

Directions:
Tapo Canyon
3802 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063

From the 118:
Exit 27 Tapo Canyon Rd.
Tapo Canyon Rd. north for 1.7 miles.
Trail head on the right, before Lost Canyon Rd.
Parking is free in the gravel area in front of the trail head, and along the road on both sides.

From CA-23:
CA-23 north to CA-118 east.
CA-118 east for 8.7 miles.
Exit 27 Tapo Canyon Rd.
Tapo Canyon Rd. north (left) for 1.7 miles.
Trail head on the right.
Parking is free in the gravel area in front of the trail head, and along the road on both sides.

Hike
Distance: 5.4 miles, Easy Option: 3 miles
Gain: 1050', Easy Option 300'
Distribution: Reasonably well distributed.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate
Shape: Lollipop, clockwise.
Pace: 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road and double track. Areas of sand, gravel, and rock, some of it rugged.
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 in the gravel area in front of the trail head, and along the road on both sides.

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.

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, which we will pass, and then return to after seeing the tar pits.

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. 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.

FAQ
Hiking Plus Page Links
Disclaimer / Release of Liability

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. Right after the trail reaches a junction, we'll take a trail off to the right, and follow it until we reach Sesnon Blvd., then 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, making a right onto the downward trail.

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, easier option 1.5 miles.
Elevation Gain: 500', easier option 125'.
Difficulty: Fit Beginner, easier option Beginner.
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

Prior events to the festival:
October 2021
October 2022
October 2024

Train Schedule, $20 each way:
Simi Valley 10:11a Carpentaria 11:32a

Return Train Options
Carpentaria 2:03p Simi Valley 3:37p
Carpentaria 4:50p Simi Valley 6:23p
Carpentaria 7:15p Simi Valley 8:48p

Link to Amtrak

Meet near the tracks in Simi Valley starting around 9:20 AM.
The first photo attached represents out "approximate" path:
Link to Route

We'll start with a hike (an easy walk, no hiking shoes or poles needed) to Carpinteria Bluffs & Beach with its tide pools & tar pits, then trip around (and back & forth between) Islands Brewery, the Avocado Festival, Rincon Brewery & Giovani's Pizza, other great restaurants, etc. We'll let AMTRAK take us back to Simi Valley at the end of the day!

ALTERNATIVELY: Drive yourself and meet at the Carpinteria station around 11:32a, or look for your hiking friends on the beach-front trails, along Linden Ave, and nearby breweries.

AND: You may be able to book passage from other start locations, e.g. Chatsworth, Van Nuys, Ventura, (but Not Camarillo), etc...

Festival Link
The festival runs from 10a - 10p on this day.

Please comment when you have purchased your train tickets!