Site Search

Los Padres – Potluck Picnic

Loading Hikes
  • This hike has passed.

Los Padres – Potluck Picnic

3.5 miles, 600′ gain, Easy Intermediate.

A fit beginner can handle this. Because there are a couple extended inclines, I’ve rated this at the easy end of the intermediate spectrum. That’s OK, because this is a social hike, not a conditioning hike.

We’ll start by entering the Los Padres trail, through a spooky oak covered section, then move through until we come to a dead end. We’ll turn right, and continue climbing up. We’ll come to another junction, where we’ll turn right onto the Los Robles trail.

After 500 feet, we’ll come to a split off to the right. We’ll take this split and continue along the Vista Loop until we come to a bench. Then we’ll start heading down, and when we come to a picnic table, we’ll stop for a small social event. We’ll share snacks and drinks (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772) for 30-60 minutes, before continuing down and around for our return.

If you don’t wish to stay for the entire social event, please study the map at the end of this description so you are able to navigate the remainder of this trail without the host

Hike Distance: 3.5 miles
Gain: 600′
Distribution: Most of the incline well distributed in the first half.
Difficulty (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781): Easy Intermediate.
Shape: Loop.
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire Road, Single-Track, and Double-Track.
Trail Variations:
Several extended inclines of 1000 steps.
Several steep sections of 300 steps, but no hands required.
Duration: 3.0 hours
Dogs: Yes. Leashed, as required by law.
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free along street.

What to bring: 1 liter of water for every 3 miles.
Hiking shoes/boots
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
Snacks and/or beverages to share (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772).
Your own cup, plate and utensils.

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. 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.

Interesting Notes

These are a couple plants you are likely to see on this hike:

Yucca

White flowers on stalk. Stalk is often missing, leaving only the spires from which it grows. Stalks are very strong and light, so they make good walking sticks. Needles on end of spires. Chopped up root can be uses as shampoo or soap. Roasted root can be eaten like a potato. Illegal to remove live stick in CA.

Pronounced with short u. Dried leaves make good tinder. To eat root, remove skin and core, boil 15 minutes. Then fry or bake. Flowers are mildly sweet. Adam says they taste like radishes. The fruit is also edible, but bitter if not ripe. To access fibers: Soak for a month in water, or, lightly pound leaves with rock or club, or, scrape off skin. Roll between hands, then pull and separate fibers. Weave into cordage.

Wild Cucumber

Toxic. Boil fruit in water to make spikes easy to remove. Inside is a natural luffa. Tubars (thickened part of a stem, usually underground, like the potato) can be crushed and thrown into water to immobilize fish.

Almost the entire plant is poisonous. Although wild cucumbers are related to the familiar, domestic vegetable, the prickly “cucumbers” consist not of fleshy fruit, but of two seed chambers containing lacy netting.

Directions

Los Padres Trailhead
15 Los Padres Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA, 91361

From I-101:
West of CA-23, I-101, exit S. Moorpark Rd.
South on Moorpark Rd. north for 1000 ft.
Left on Los Padres Dr.
After 200 ft, trailhead on the right.
Park on the street.

Release of Liability: https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/pages/29622459/Is_Hiking_Dangerous/

June 06 2021

Details

Date: June 6, 2021
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Hiking Group:
RSVP: Visit Meetup Website

Venue

Los Padres Trailhead

15 Los Padres Drive
Thousand Oaks,CA91361US

+ Google Map

Organizer

Hiking Plus
Website: Visit Organizer Website

Comments

Leave a comment

You can manage the subscriptions of this post.

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.