What we’re about
Welcome to Hiking With Dean. Be sure to visit our web site at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/
Our hikes are based upon a simple philosophy: You should be able to go out your front door and within a few minutes be on trails winding your way through the local wilderness. Thus, most of our hikes are found in the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, Simi Hills and Conejo Valley.
Since our founding in 2007, HWD has become the largest and most popular hiking group in the country and 2nd largest in the world (after Outdooraholics London Hiking)*. I have personally led about 900 hikes logging over 100,000 hiker-miles.
All of our hikes are free. Most of our hikes are MEDIUM to DIFFICULT. Because of my own limitations we'll refrain from any serious rock climbing and avoid precarious ledges and ridges. But we do avoid fire roads when we can. Watch for the "no fire road rule" in the hike descriptions. See our hike rating guide at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/hike-rating-guide/
Our hiking group is different from the others. Instead of looking through Alltrails and hiking books for a hike, I look through my collection of old maps and aerials for forgotten ranch roads and old trails that I can add to the book hikes. Once upon a time our "open space" was home to ranchers, farmers, movie sets, homesteaders, and other characters that have left behind their marks for us to discover and uncover.
Become a HWD VIP at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/vip-circle. Its not required to join, but to help support the group we welcome and appreciate your gift of an annual $20.00. As an HWD donor member you become a HWD VIP with many benefits not available in other groups, for example, breakfast at the trail head, free prizes and other goodies, exclusive outings, no waiting lists, etc. Sounds better than the usual "please donate" other groups use, doesn't it?
*HWD has the largest membership per leader
THE RULES
• Don't be a flake by signing up and not showing up
• Read the hike description
• No dogs unless indicated in hike description (our special dog-friendly hikes)
•The following is not a rule, but if you want to avoid being a victim of sarcastic remarks do not ask a question that is answered in the hike description
Proud Member of:
- Malibu Creek State Park Docents
- Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council
- California State Parks Foundation
- The Mountains Restoration Trust
- Montecito Trails Foundation
- Conejo Open Space Foundation
By joining you agree to the Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver at https://www.hikingwithdean.com/liability-waiver/
A Few Testimonials
Dean is a wonderful leader. He really paid attention to the needs of the group. He facilitated the group, but didn't control the group. I will attend again -- Kimmy
If Dean [one of the original SoCal Meetup-ers mind you] would ever write a book on hiking SoCal [as he rightfully should] it would be a must-buy. Dean is both knowledgeable and adventurous. Conscientious and kind. I would have no problem hiking with Dean anywhere. - Les
Dean is a great hike leader. He knows the trails. — Lydia
The group leader Dean is very conscious of all of us hikers as a group. We all get to trek at our own pace comfortably and still stay together.He's got an agenda planned with an extra twist on where we are going to hike. — elyse
Dean is an excellent group leader who knows the trails very well. He is always looking out for the welfare of his hikers. The group attracts some of the most pleasant people you can hope to meet. — Bruce
What can I say? This group ROCKS!!! Some of the friendliest people I have met and the Organizer, Dean is a sweetheart! - Sara
Dean has organized the best group of hikers who like to hike and have fun. — Blake
Dean is extremely knowledgeable and serves up a seemingly endless array of hikes. A very pleasant and down-to-earth group of people who are easy to get to know ... and like — Drew
Dean is a strong hike leader with a friendly and outgoing group of people who know how to have fun while hiking - Laura
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Upcoming events
2
Santa Maria Canyon - Summer Hill Ranch - Yedvarts Loop
Viewridge - Summit Pointe Estates - HWD, 3110 N Summit Pointe Dr, Topanga, AL, USJoin our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hikingwithdean/
Another HWD Original!
Our hike begins in the northwestern corner of Topanga State Park on the Viewridge Trail in Santa Maria Canyon. After heading north up the Santa Maria Canyon Rd some, we’ll hook up with my Secret Trail that will take us to the land of longtime Topanga Resident Yedvart Tchakerian.
After a side-trip to Vanalden Vista for a snack break, we’ll start the 2nd half of the loop, head south down Yedvarts, and then west back to our starting point after a brief walking tour of some of Topanga’s eclectic neighborhoods, including the Cheney Ranch homestead
Hike will be about 8 miles with 1500 ft total ascent and rated MODERATE+. See the HWD Hike Rating Guide
DIRECTIONS
From Highway 101: drive south on Topanga Canyon Blvd for 3.7 miles. Turn left on Viewridge and drive 0.5 miles to the end of the road.
From Pacific Coast Highway: head north on Topanga Canyon Blvd. for 9 miles and turn right on Viewridge.
Park by end of street. There is plenty of parking
IMPORTANT
Trail statistics are approximate. For safety purposes always assume they are underestimated. But don’t be disappointed if they are overestimated. Bring more water and snacks than you think you’ll need.
Trail descriptions are based on previous hikes. Current conditions are unknown until arrival. Expect the unexpected and plan accordingly.
The Organizers and members in this group are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Hiking With Dean Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities per the ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER.
25 attendees
West Hills Workout
El Escorpion Trail, 24480 Vanowen St, West Hills, CA, USA roller coaster of a hike around the northern section of the Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve in the Simi Hills. At the western edge of the San Fernando Valley, it is part of a critical ecological linkage and wildlife corridor between the Santa Monica Mountains and the ranges to the north. Diverse habitats and endangered species such as the California red-legged frog, the San Fernando Valley spineflower, and the Southwestern willow flycatcher are permanently protected here.
Our hike begins at the mouth of Moores Canyon (aka El Escorpion Park), the location of historic ranches, a cave used by the Chumash and Kas’elew (Castle Peak). For most people, At the western end of Moores Canyon we'll use a little-know trail that will get us into ULV Open Space.
Hike will be about 4.5 miles with about 1,000 feet total ascent. Hike is rated MEDIUM. See the HWD Hike Rating Guide
Directions:
Go to the west end of Vanowen St and park on street
From the 101 freeway exit Valley Circle Boulevard. Head north to Vanowen St. Turn left. Park on street near the end of Vanowen (at the bend)
From the 118, exit Topanga Canyon, go south, turn right on Vanowen
Trail statistics are approximate. For safety purposes always assume they are underestimated. But don’t be disappointed if they are overestimated. Bring more water and snacks than you think you’ll need.
Trail descriptions are based on previous hikes. Current conditions are unknown until arrival. Expect the unexpected and plan accordingly.
The Organizers and members of Hiking With Dean are not professional leaders, guides, or mountaineers. The function of the member or organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who shows up for a trip/meetup (and their guest or guests) is responsible for his or her own safety. By attending a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you and any guests that you bring are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with the activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizers, Members of the Hiking With Dean Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities per our ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER and Section 6.2 of the Meetup.com Terms of Service.1 attendee
Past events
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