4.2 miles, 700′ gain, easy-intermediate. This hike has a fit-beginner option: 2.7 miles, 500′ gain, described at the end of this description.
This is a pot-luck hike. We’ll be stopping at the 3/4 point by a picnic table, so please bring food and drink to share, and any utensils your items might require.
We have had occasions where there were no utensils, so it might be wise to at least bring your own.
We start at the Conejo Canyons Trailhead at Conejo Center Dr in Newbury Park (1993 Rancho Conejo Blvd.).
We’ll hike downhill from the trailhead for 0.6 miles. We’ll continue uphill for 0.6 miles on the Western Plateau trail. We’ll regather at the top of the Peninsula Trail.
The trail will be rolling for the next 1 mile, then drops 360 ft over the next 1/2 mile. At the bottom of the Western Plateau trail, we’ll take a sharp right up Hawk Canyon. Our picnic spot is 1/4 mile up Hawk Canyon at the table under the trees.
After the potluck, we’ll continue up Hawk Canyon in our clockwise loop for 0.6 mile where the trail ends back at the Western Plateau trail. Take a left up the hill back to Conejo Center Dr.
** If you plan on leaving before the group, please familiarize yourself with the planned route, which is posted with this description.
The Hike:
Distance: 4.2 miles
Gain: 700′
Distribution: Well distributed.
Difficulty (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781): Beginner.
Shape: Lollipop.
Pace: 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road and single track.
Trail Variations: Rolling stroll and ramp.
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 (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772).
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
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.
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 (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781)).
Stops:
The host may designate stopping points to let others catch up. This hike will include an extended stop for a snack and beverage (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772) share at the half way point. This hike does not have any junctions once past the first 500′. 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.
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:
Conejo Cayons
1993 Rancho Conejo Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
Park at: 34.205239, -118.933403
US-101, exit Ventu Park Rd, North.
Ventu Park Rd. North for 1 mile.
Right on Rancho Conejo Blvd., 1.3 miles.
Left on Conejo Center Dr.
Park on the street.
Fit-beginner option: 2.7 miles, 500′ gain:
Instead of turning left at the first junction, turn right. Picnic table will be on the left. This replaces a 2.2 mile section with a 0.7 mile section.
See https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/events/279301083/.
A link to a pic of the fit-beginner option route link is posted in the comments.
Release of Liability: https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/pages/29622459/Is_Hiking_Dangerous/
