Powerline Trail to Conejo Peak - Intermediate

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Can you believe it? Rain is forecast for tomorrow!! Watch for possible cancellation

(Below is a copy of the email you just sent.)

Here's the forecast for tomorrow in Newbury Park:

Patchy drizzle before 11am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 69. Light west northwest wind becoming west southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

This is so very weird for June!

If it's raining, I'll send out a cancellation by 8 am. Please check your email before leaving your house.

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We will hike the Powerline Trail to Conejo Peak, including a brief stop at the "teardrop" loop below the final climb to the peak. Great views of the Pacific, Channel Islands, Oxnard Plain, Conejo Valley, and (if clear) snow-covered Mt. Baldy and peaks east and north.

This area was completely burned over by the 2013 Springs Fire, and the peak area saw a small wildfire in 2020, but has recovered well. The Edison road is rocky, and has some washouts from this year's rains. There is one short but steep section of the Edison road just before the teardrop loop and our even steeper "goat trail" climb to the peak.

With the climb to the peak this hike is 6.2 miles, with an elevation gain of 1,350 feet. Trekking poles are recommended, as our descent will be fairly steep over loose gravel.

If you elect to skip the peak, the hike is just over 5 miles, with an elevation gain of 850 feet.

We'll start at Dos Vientos Community Park, cross Via Ricardo, walk over the hill above the Camarillo quarry (watch for the "Unstable Ground - Gravitational Anomalies" sign), and then up the Powerline Trail. We'll zig-zag up to the "teardrop", and continue the climb like the mountain goats we are, and then traverse the rocky meadow at the top to the peak, where we will gather around the (now missing) flagpole for a photo, and inspect the set of new lead-acid batteries someone has deposited there. We'll carefully descend through the rocky cleft back to the Powerline Trail where we'll rejoin our compatriots, and descend to the cars.

Directions

Google and Apple Maps direction are reliable.

From the east, exit 101 at Borchard, and drive southwest 3.5 miles to Dos Vientos Community Park, the second right-hand turn after the hilly pass from Newbury Park into Dos Vientos. Park in our usual spot for hiking is Dos Vientos..

From the west, exit 101 at Wendy, and drive south 0.9 miles to Borchard. Turn right onto Borchard, and drive 2.3 miles to the park, then follow directions, above.

From Port Hueneme, Point Mugu, and Oxnard, drive up Potrero Road, which turns into Lynn at the top of the canyon. Turn left onto Via Las Brisas, then drive north for 1.4 miles. Turn right onto Borchard, then immediately left into the park.

Boots on at 8:45, ready to hike for a 9:00 a.m. departure!

Please do not leave anything of value in your car, at this or any other trailhead.

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:

The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.

Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.

If you choose to sign up for this or any Weekday Trailblazers Meetup event, you are releasing the Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.

Please review our guidelines. Restrictions apply for your safety and ours:

• Don't show up unless you're on the "Attending" list
• No "Plus Ones" on this hike; please have your friends join The Weekday Trailblazers, and register for the event.
• All participants must be 18 or older, or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Plan on sticking with the group, and completing the entire hike at a reasonable pace or please find an alternative hike that better suits your hiking level.
• Dogs are not invited.
• Bring ample hydration.