When I pre-hiked the route on Sunday morning, I encountered a fairly squishy trail, but with clear weather prior to Thursday, it should be fine. As in the past, I saw four or five deer, lots of ravens, some vultures, and lots of deer and coyote prints. I did see a couple of prints that looked suspiciously ursine, but no face-to-muzzle encounters 🙂
We’ll start at Juan Bautista De Anza Park, at the corner of Lost Hills and Las Virgenes. We’ll hike up the Talepop Trail, along the ridgeline between Liberty and Malibu Canyons, down to the North Meadowlands Trail, then gently back up the Las Virgenes Fire Road, back to the park. The total distance is 4.2 miles, with an elevation gain and loss of about 500 feet.
While relatively short, this is a gorgeous hike, with sightlines into Malibu Creek State Park, into the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and across to the area that is south of the new wildlife bridge.
DIRECTIONS
Exit 101 at Lost Hills Road, and drive south one mile. Just before getting to Las Virgenes Road, turn right into the De Anza Park parking lot. There are restrooms adjacent to the parking lot.
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, its organizers, and sponsors from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience. You agree that you can navigate back to your transportation by yourself, and agree to do so if you fall behind and lose track of the main body of hikers.
By now you should know the guidelines to participate in our morning hikes. Please review them before you sign up for the hike. And just in case, here are some highlights and a link to the guidelines:
https://www.meetup.com/The-Weekday-Trailblazers/about/
Restrictions apply for your safety and ours:
- Don’t show up unless you’re on the “Attending” list
- Unregistered or waitlisted will be turned away
- No “Plus Ones” on this hike
- Plan on completing the entire hike or please find an alternative hike that better suits your hiking level.
- No dogs on this hike
- Bring ample hydration
- All participants must be 18 or older, or accompanied by an adult
