4.5 miles, 1000′ gain, Easy Intermediate
There are several extended inclines and a couple short but steep climbs. Fit beginners can do this hike, but they may be cursing some of the extended and steeper climbs. That’s OK, because we’ll be stopping at various points to regroup and this is not a conditioning hike. It is a social hike (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781).
Starting from the Long Canyon trailhead parking lot, we’ll immediate cross the street to the north side, move along the street for about 1/4 mile, then head up the back side for 3/4 mile until we come to a bench. We’ll regroup there and catch our breath before heading along the ridge and back down to the road for about a mile.
We’ll regroup again, then cross the road and head along it back towards the parking lot for about 1000′, where we’ll turn left to enter into the front side. We’ll follow a fire road for 1.3 miles until just before it dead ends, where we’ll make a left (not right!) and head 1000′ to the 5-points intersection.
We’ll make a hard right, go another 1000′, and stop at a bench to have a snack share (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772) event. After, we continue 3/4 mile down to the parking lot.
A picture of the route is posted as part of the description.
Interesting Notes:
Turkey Mullein
Smashed leaves can be thrown into the water to stupefy fish, causing them to float to the surface, a practice illegal in most states. The seeds are not toxic to birds and are enjoyed especially by doves and wild turkeys.
Ancient Greeks rolled and dried the leaves, then used them as wicks for oil lamps. It stalks were used as torches burned at funerals. Many tribes employed the use of mullein leaf tea for coughs, colds, and rheumatism. They considered it to be analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and expectorant. The astringent and demulcent properties of the leaf tea were found useful in cases of diarrhea.
Wild Oats
The mature seed of the plant is used as a cereal grain. All oats have edible seeds, although they are small and hard to harvest in most species. Oats are hard to tell apart from weedy relatives, so the term “sowing wild oats” came to be used to describe unprofitable activities and destructive sexual liaisons of an unmarried young male that could result in children being born out of wedlock.
Hike
Distance: 4.5 miles
Gain: 1000
Distribution: A couple extended inclines and a couple shorter but steeper inclines.
Difficulty (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781): Easy Intermediate.
Shape: Loop, clockwise.
Pace: 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road, single and double track. Areas of sand, gravel, and rock, some of it rugged.
Trail Variations:
The beginning is a flat walk.
The middle will have 2 extended inclines of about 1000 steps and a couple shorter inclines that are steeper but only about 150 steps.
The end is downhill, but somewhat steep.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: Yes. Leash as required by law.
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free in the paved parking area in front of the trail head.
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.
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)).
Here is a picture of the route. Those that wish to return immediately instead of hanging around during the snack and beverage share, should memorize the below route so they can safely return on their own.
Below is a photo of the route ():
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 (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772) at the half way point.
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.
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. If others follow, it is group hijacking: Incorrect routes may be taken and group splitting may occur. Please don’t do this.
Directions:
Where of Long Canyon Rd. and S. Wood Ranch Pkwy. intersect in Simi Valley. There is a free paved parking lot at the trailhead on the southwest corner.
From CA-23 and I-101:
North CA-23, exit Olsen Rd.
Right (east) on Olsen Rd., which becomes Madera Rd., for 2 miles.
Right (south) on N. Wood Ranch Pkwy., which becomes S. Wood Ranch Pkwy., for 2 miles.
Right at dead end (intersection with Long Canyon Rd.) and immediate left into parking lot.
Trailhead at the opposite corner.
From CA-118 and CA-27:
West CA-118, exit 23 onto 1st St.
Left (south) on 1st St., which becomes Long Canyon Rd., for 5 miles.
Cross at dead end (intersection with S. Wood Ranch Pkwy.) and immediate left into parking lot.
Trailhead at the opposite corner.
Coordinates of trailhead: 34.228330, -118.803130
Address of a nearby house: 597 Shadow Ln., Simi Valley, CA 93065
Arrive early, because sometimes the parking lot gets full. If this happens, we’ll need another 15 minutes to carpool from a nearly parking lot.
Disclaimer / Release of Liability: https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/pages/29622459/Is_Hiking_Dangerous/