Easy Intermediate, 4 miles, 900′ gain.
Easy Intermediate means it is on the easy end of the intermediate spectrum: https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781
This is an upside down lollipop that takes us first to the highest point in the area where the views are fantastic. The return is down around the back side of the hill at the parking lot.
There is an initial climb for about 2/3 miles and 425′ of gain that can be strenuous for many if done non-stop, and there is one other strenuous climb of just under 1/2 mile and 225′ of gain up a fire road. All the rest of the portions of this hike are down or have mild 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.
Starting from the Long Canyon trailhead parking lot, we head up Long Canyon Trail to a bench. We’ll regroup and let others catch up,then continue on past the five-points intersection and up to the next bench. We’ll take in the views and have a social event (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772) for 30-60 minutes.
We’ll head back to the first bench, but instead of climbing down the trail that took us up, we’ll continue up the Sunrise trail and follow it all the way to the Woodridge Loop trail at the top of an asphalt path. We’ll take a sometimes not easy to see entrance on the right, getting on the Woodridge Connector and take back to the parking lot.
A picture of the route is posted at the end of the description.
Interesting Notes:
Turkey Mullein
Smashed leaves can be thrown into the water to stupify 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 liasons of an unmarried young male that could result in children being born out of wedlock.
Hike
Distance: 4 miles
Gain: 900
Distribution: Most of the incline is in the first 15 minutes of the hike. The second strenuous climb is up a fire road, after 1000 more steps, going up another 0.4 miles.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate.
Shape: Upside down lollipop, 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 tough climb.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: Yes.
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.
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.
There is a picture of the route posted with this event. Those that wish to return immediately instead of hanging around during the snack and beverage share, should memorize the route so they can safely return on their own.
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 or sticks. 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:
Where 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 nearby parking lot.
Release of Liability
https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/pages/29622459/Is_Hiking_Dangerous/
