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Talopop – Suitable for fit beginners

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Talopop – Suitable for fit beginners

Fit Beginner, 4.1 miles, 720′ 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.

There are several portions with extended inclines that will make a beginner hiker stop for a breather.

There is nothing wrong with stopping, even if it means every 50 steps. A couple of the inclines, while not extreme, continue for about 1000 steps, and there are also several hills that are about 100 steps each. We won’t be hiking this trail at a fast pace because this is a social hike, not a conditioning hike. See “How hard is this hike” in the discussion section (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781).

We’ll meet in front of the facilities building at the center of the park. This is a lollipop hike.

Some of the hike is fire road, and a lot of the hike is single-track. Some has complete exposure to the sun, and some is through shaded wooded areas.

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 where a bridge used to be, we 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 (https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772) 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, however keep in mind that foraged Black sage has a much stronger flavor than that of traditional store bought sage.

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
Elevation Gain: 720′
Distribution: Reasonably well distributed, some of the gain on the return portion.
Shape: Lollipop
Difficulty: Easy-Intermediate
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.
Navigation: Host memory, enhanced by GPS navigation as needed.
Hike type: Social.

The description includes a picture of the route. 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 an arrow on the ground made of 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.

What to Bring:
2 liters of water.
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.

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

January 25 2022

Details

Date: January 25, 2022
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Hiking Group:
RSVP: Visit Meetup Website

Venue

Talopop at Juan Bautista de Anza Park

3701 Lost Hills Road
Calabasas,CAUS

+ Google Map

Organizer

Hiking Plus
Website: Visit Organizer Website

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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.