**[5.4 miles, 1050′ gain, Easy Intermediate](https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781)**
This hike is one of the most beautiful hikes in Simi Valley. There are 3 extended inclines, about 1000 steps each, on fire road. They are not especially steep, but they do continue for some time, which is why it is rated “Easy Intermediate.” There are also several small hills of 100 steps or less.
The extended inclines will get the blood pumping during this lollipop hike. We’ll be moving through the famous Tapo Canyon and visiting natural tar pits that bubble up from the ground.
The first pit is really a puddle that looks like someone spilled a couple 55-gallon drums of tar that was later contained using a spill rope. The next two are a little larger, again, contained by spill ropes to keep the sticky black tar from getting on the trail.
From the trail head, we’ll start on a leisurely stroll for about 0.6 miles, followed by a steady climb for the next mile, completing the first extended incline.
We’ll turn left at the junction, climb a small hill of a couple hundred steps, and then head down for 1.5 miles.
We’ll make a right turn down a smaller trail and go for about 100 yards until we reach the tar pits. After looking around for a bit, we’ll head back, and after 0.25 miles, we’ll come to another junction where we will stop and [share snacks and beverages](https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879772).
For the return, we’ll turn left and there will be a steady climb for about 3/4 of a mile to another junction. We’ll turn left again and return down for about 1.4 miles to complete the lollipop.
**Interesting Notes:**
*[Yellow Star Thistle](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/0/e/6/highres_501188422.jpeg)*
Thorny. Also called yellow cockspur and golden star thistle. Generally considered a weed. Long-term ingestion by horses causes a neurological disorder known as chewing disease, a lethal lesion of the nigropallidal region of the brain. This disease is expressed as a twitching of the lips, tongue flicking, and involuntary chewing. Permanent brain damage is possible, and affected horses may starve to death. Used in Turkish folk medicine for the treatment of ulcers. In a laboratory study, aqueous extracts of fresh or dried flowers of yellow star thistle given orally showed significant antiulcerogenic activity in rats.
**Directions:**
Tapo Canyon
3802 Tapo Canyon Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
*From the 118:*
Exit 27 Tapo Canyon Rd.
Tapo Canyon Rd. north for 1.7 miles.
Trail head on the right, before Lost Canyon Rd.
Parking is free in the gravel area in front of the trail head, and along the road on both sides.
*From CA-23:*
CA-23 north to CA-118 east.
CA-118 east for 8.7 miles.
Exit 27 Tapo Canyon Rd.
Tapo Canyon Rd. north (left) for 1.7 miles.
Trail head on the right.
Parking is free in the gravel area in front of the trail head, and along the road on both sides.
**Hike**
Distance: 5.4 miles
Gain: 1050′
Distribution: Reasonably well distributed.
Difficulty: [Easy Intermediate](https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/messages/boards/thread/50879781)
Shape: Lollipop, clockwise.
Pace: 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road and double track. Areas of sand, gravel, and rock, some of it rugged.
Trail Variations:
Several extended inclines of 1000 steps.
Several steep sections of 300 steps, but no hands required.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free in the gravel area in front of the trail head, and along the road on both sides.
**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.
*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 at the half way point, which we will pass, and then return to after seeing the tar pits.
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. They are on their own regarding route and navigation.
[Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/pages/23772638/Frequently_Asked_Questions)
**[Disclaimer / Release of Liability](https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/pages/29622459/Is_Hiking_Dangerous/)**
