Fit Beginner, 2 mi, 500′ gain.
The Hike.
4:30p – 6:00p.
We’ll be moving slow through both shaded and unshaded areas.
We’ll start from the Corriganville parking lot and move east towards the back end of the lot, enter, and continue towards the covered picnic area. After about 1/4 mile, just before the picnic area, we’ll turn right for 100′ and then right again for about 200′. Behind the shacks, we’ll cross the railroad tracks and enter a wooded area at a secret trail.
We’ll take a steady trek up for 1/2 mile and 250′ of gain. We’ll turn left when we can, and continue up for another 1/3 mile towards the wildlife tunnel. Just before the tunnel, we’ll then head down a set of switchbacks.
At the bottom, just in front of the covered picnic area, we’ll circle around the park for about 1 mile, finally arriving back at our cars.
This particular hike is well suited for those that want to hike just the first or second halves, and then attend the grillfest.
The Grillfest.
6:00 – 8:15p.
We’ll grab our items from our cars and head 1/4 mile to the covered picnic area (if it’s taken, we’ll head to one of the many nearby tables, which also have grills).
We’ll fire up the grills and have a cookout. I will be bringing charcoal as my pot-luck item. Bring anything you want that would go good on a grill. or go good with our grillfest.
The parking lot closes at sunset, so we’ll end this when it starts getting dark.
The planned route is posted as a photo, a couple pictures from past events at this location, and then the plants that follow in this description.
Interesting Notes.
Here are a few plants you are sure to see on this hike:
Yellow Star Thistle
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.
Horehound
The leaves and flower tops have long been used in home remedies as a bitter tonic for the common cold. Horehound has been used traditionally as an expectorant and continues to find a place in cough lozenges and cold preparations. It now is used primarily as flavorings in liqueurs, candies, and cough drops. In addition, extracts of the plant were used for the treatment of intestinal parasites and as a diaphoretic and diuretic. The picture is what the plant looks like when dry, as in late summer.
Directions.
Corriganville Park
7100 Smith Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
34.263244, -118.654719
The park and parking lot closes at dusk
From the 118
Exit Kuehner Dr., south for 1.5 miles.
Left (west) on Smith Rd. for 0.4 miles until dead end.
Left into parking lot, follow to end of lot.
From the 101 @ CA23
North CA-23 for 8 miles.
East I-118 for 12 miles.
Exit 30 Kuehner Dr., right (south) for 1.5 miles.
Left (west) on Smith Rd. for 0.4 miles until dead end.
The Hike.
Distance: 2 miles, 1.5 hrs.
Elevation Gain: 800′
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate
Pace: 2.0 mph
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: Yes
Drinking Fountains: Yes
Parking: Free at the trailhead parking lot.
Trail: Fire road, rocky trail, single tracker.
What to Bring.
1-2 liters of water.
Stuff for the grill and/or beverages to share.
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Disclaimer / Release of Liability:
https://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Plus/pages/29622459/Is_Hiking_Dangerous/