Fit Beginner, 4.1 miles, 720′ gain.
Easier route: 3.9 miles, 500′ gain.
Is it Talepop or Talopop? Maps and signs that I have seen, use the 2nd spelling, but a lot of references use the other.
We’ll meet in front of the facilities building at the center of the park. This is a lollipop hike.
We’ll head behind the facilities building in the center and head left down the Las Virgenes Trail. After 1/3 mile, the trail turns 90 degrees, we continue on the easier route for 1/10th mile instead of taking the trail that climbs the hill.
After, we cross the dry creek bed on a short bridge, then come to a fire road.
Easier Route: For those that want the slightly easier route, turn left. Continue for 1.2 miles, turning right, and continuing on this path straight for 0.3 miles to the social event.
Regular Route: Turn right and it becomes the Talopop Trail. We’ll follow it around for another 1.8 miles until it dead ends at a fire road, Liberty Canyon Trail. There, we’ll wait for others to catch up, and we can share some beverages and/or snacks before continuing.
We’ll turn left and after 1/3 mile, the trail dead ends again at Las Virgenes Fire Road. We’ll turn left again and travel 1.1 miles where we’ll hit another junction, turning right back onto Las Virgenes Trail for the final 0.4 mile return, making a left at the split right behind the facilities building.
Interesting Notes:
Here are a couple plants you are sure to see on this hike:
Black Sage
Multiple brown buttons going up the top of the stalk, that may have white flowers. Green leaves. Purple or white flowers that are dark brown as they dry on the plant. Squish the leaves and smell.
A rare and sought after Black sage honey is also made from the honey of bees that pollinate the Black sage plant. Black sage is utilized in the culinary world as an aromatic and flavorful herb. It can be used in recipes wherever traditional sage is called for.
Its flavor goes well with winter squashes, brown butter, poultry, venison, pears, cheese, potatoes and other herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Use fresh in a variety of different preparations or leaves. Can be dried and stored for future use as a dried herb. Black sage was used traditionally by Native Americans known as the Chumash people to form an herbal soak for the bath to be used in the treatment of bodily pain, specifically for the feet and lower legs.
California Sagebrush – Artemesia Californica
Aromatic when crushed. AKA, common sage, coastal sage. Sunflower family. Cowboys used to ride through it and brush up against the pine-shaped leaves, coming home with the smell on their clothes and giving rise to the nickname “Cowboy Cologne.” Not a true sage. Can be used as a cooking spice and can be made into a tea. Tear off some needles by running your hand up the stalk and smell the aroma.
An infusion can be made for an insect repellent.
Directions:
Talopop
Juan Bautista de Anza Park
3701 Lost Hills Road
Calabasas, CA 91301
From the 118
West to CA-23 south
CA-23 south for 7.4 miles
US-101 east for 9.5 miles
Exit 33 Lost Hills Rd.
Lost Hills Rd. south for 0.2 miles
Park on the right.
From the 101
Exit 33 Lost Hills Rd.
Lost Hills Rd. south for 0.2 miles
Park on the right.
The Hike
Distance: 4.1 miles, 3.5 hours, counter-clockwise
or 3.9 miles, out and back.
Elevation Gain: 720′ or 500′
Distribution: Reasonably well distributed, some of the gain on the return portion.
Shape: Lollipop or out-and-back (easier route)
Difficulty: Fit-Beginner
Pace: 2.0 mph
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: No
Restrooms: Yes, at the start.
Drinking Fountains: Yes, at the start.
Parking: Free in the paved lot, or along the street..
Trail: Fire Road and single track, good condition.
Hosting
Route: The host knows the route. Click HERE for route.
Navigation: Host memory, enhanced by GPS navigation as needed.
Hike type: Social.
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.
What to Bring:
2 liters of water.
Snacks and/or beverages to share
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
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