Midweek Mountaineers 2024
OCTOBER
October 12th – Big Sky Loop
Six hikers met near the waterfall on Big Sky Place on a clear, sunny-but-cool morning. We walked northwards along the sidewalk talking, catching up on recent events until we came to the trailhead and turned east at the entrance to the Big Sky Trail. The stream bed to the south was dry as we continued and turned left at the trail junction for a clockwise loop. As we hiked east, we enjoyed the fresh air and occasional sunflower until we came to the Big Sky HOA service trail which offered an enjoyable walk with its shade trees and the irrigated border that followed its now dry stream bed.
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October 2nd – Moranda Park Path to Ormond Beach
Three hikers parked on a side street and began walking along a bike path toward the beach, following a creek through Walter B Moranda Park. It’s always fun seeing friendly people and well-fed ducks. Leaving the bike path and passing Oceanview Production Studios, we kept walking through Port Hueneme Beach Park and then onto the Port Hueneme Fishing Pier. There were just a few people on the pier, the usual handful of people fishing and some walkers. Exiting the pier, we walked the Beach Park paths southeast to the Alaska Flight 261 Memorial. It’s a sundial memorial that commemorates the 88 passengers and crew who lost their lives aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 261 near Anacapa Island on January 31, 2000. After a short break we continued southeast to Ormond Beach, passing a short stretch of wetlands and then walked along the beach until we came to GenOn – Electric utility company.
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SEPTEMBER
September 25th – Tapo Canyon
September 18th – Long Canyon Trail Oak Canyon Trail Canyon View Trail CCW Loop
Meeting in the Long Canyon Trailhead Parking lot, six hikers headed up the Long Canyon Trail, which has been maintained including the clearing of brush and ruts. Next we took the Sunrise Trail a short distance eastward to an unmarked connector trail which we followed downhill to the Long Canyon East Trail. It was a very pleasant downward hike, with friendly conversation. Soon we passed by the Montgomery Canyon Trail junction; we continued on to the northern end of the Long Canyon East Trail. which was lined on both sides with live oak trees. Were hoping to see a couple of deer because of their tracks in the trail (dirt road). We then crossed Long Canyon Road and followed a dirt road westward to the Coyote Hills Park. watching various birds along the way. At the west side of the park there is an unmarked trailhead referenced as Coyote Park Trailhead or Coyote Hills Trail/mountain bike trail. We followed that trail connecting to the Canyon View Trail and followed it southward until it descended to Long Canyon Road a short distance from the Long Canyon trailhead parking lot.
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September 9th – Mammoth Highlands Loop
Five hikers began hiking at the trailhead on College Heights Drive along a well-maintained trail, passing Mammoth Highlands Park then connecting to the Moorpark Highlands multi-use trail. We followed the trail until we crossed Ridgecrest Drive where we gained elevation to a ridge that offered us expansive views of Happy Camp and northern Moorpark. Then we continued along the perimeter of Moorpark Highlands, enjoying the pleasant summertime atmosphere and open space views until we reached an intersection with a steep, single-track trail to an overlook and a covered bench. After a short break we took a rapidly descending trail back to Ridgecrest Drive and walked along the sidewalk to the Mammoth Highlands Park where we cut through to the trail where we first began.
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September 4th – Rincon Beach County Park to Tar Pits Park Loop
Six hikers met at the Rincon Beach County Park parking lot, where we saw some gophers on a hazy overcast summer morning. Our hike began by hiking the trail leading to Rincon Bluffs Preserve, with a great view of a blurry beach below breaking through the morning haze. Crossing the railroad tracks to an unmarked trail, going up for a few hundred feet and continuing west in the Rincon Bluffs Preserve, there were some belladonna lilies, verbena, tarweed and fennel among the dry shrubbery. The trail turned into a well maintained, irrigated walking path behind an industrial complex, complete with scenic lookouts. The walking path ended at a baseball field, with restrooms, where the Carpentaria Bluffs Trail connects.
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AUGUST
August 28th – Las Llajas Canyon to the Abandoned Coquina Mining Operation
Four hikers met at the trailhead on Evening Sky Drive on a very pleasant morning. We began our hike by descending a short-paved section of road into the canyon bottom. From there we followed the wide well-graded dirt road upstream to the north 1.8 miles, crossing the still flowing stream twice. The canyon had plenty of shade until we came to the single-track “use” trail (the remnants of an old mining road). Northbound we climbed up the eastern slope of the mountain, atop which there are panoramic views of the surrounding area including parts of Chivo Canyon, Las Llajas Canyon, the Santa Susana Mountains, and Simi Valley. We took a break when we reached our goal, the site of a coquina (a soft whitish limestone formed of broken shells and corals cemented together and used for road building) mining operation. Various mining equipment artifacts are strewn about near the mining site, most notably a P&H Model 206 “steam” shovel. We returned to our vehicles having completed a pleasant 6.13-mile hike with about 1063’ of elevation gain/loss on a pleasant morning for hiking.[/show_more]
August 21st – Wildwood Neighborhood Park Lynnmere Trail Loop
Six hikers met at the trailhead in the Baseball Field Parking Lot at the junction of Avenida de Los Arboles and Canna Street in Thousand Oaks on a pleasant overcast spring morning. We began our hike by crossing Avenida de Los Arboles to the east and descending into a tunnel under Avenida de Los Arboles. We then climbed some stairs and crossed Arroyo Conejo on a bridge; next we headed through a neighborhood to the Las Flores Trail which we followed to Lynn Road where we connected to the Lynnmere Trail which we followed west to the Wildwood Canyon Trail which we followed eastward back to Neighborhood Park.
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August 7th – Coyote Park, Canyon View Trail, and Oak Canyon Trail Loop
Two hikers met at Coyote Park in Simi Valley at the west equestrian trailhead. At 6:30 AM the morning was cool and refreshing with the park’s green grass and sprinklers going. As soon as we entered the Canyon View Trail going south we felt a sharp contrast in the atmosphere. The trail was mostly dry but there was turkey mullein, a lot of milkweed, an Indian pink, a monkey flower, cliff aster, and fennel. Turning east we came to the summit of the Canyon View Trail; the sun was shining bright and the view of western Simi Valley was good. Continuing east down the steep end of the Canyon View Trail and crossing Long Canyon Road, we continued toward Challenger Park. There we saw a lot of dried California everlasting and holly leaf red berries. Crossing Long Canyon Road again, there were bush rabbits everywhere. Eventually we were back at Coyote Park having hiked 4.6 miles with 874 ft. of elevation gain/loss.
JULY
July 31st – Los Robles Trail via Oak Creek Trail and Los Padres Trail
Seven hikers met at the Los Padres Trail trailhead in Thousand Oaks on a pleasant summer morning. Walking west on Los Padres Dr. and cutting through Los Robles Greens parking lot and Los Robles Townhomes to Greenmeadows Ave. and then walking along the street we arrived at the Los Robles trail head. There we started our hike going up the western 0.4-mile section of a trail called the Oak Creek Canyon Whole Access Interpretive Trail that is mostly a shaded oak grove area that is accessible by all, including equestrians, bicycles, hikers, wheelchairs, disabled and blind individuals; there is actually a “guide cable” along the fence as well as informational signs in braille. Southward on the Los Robles Trail a gradual uphill took us to a nice oak-shaded picnic area where we took a water break. After, the trail became steeper but was mostly shady in the early morning until arriving at the “Scenic Loop” trail that led us to the Conejo Valley Scenic Overlook. There are two benches there and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, grasslands and valley below.
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July 17th – Wildwood Park Loop
The morning sky was a bright summer blue behind scattered high clouds when six hikers met at 7:00 AM at Wildwood Park west end parking, off Avenida De Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks. The hikers began their counterclockwise loop hike by heading west on the Mesa Trail. Turning south and hiking a short distance on the Tepee Trail, we turned right when we came to the Stagecoach Bluffs Trail. There we saw a lone, curious coyote watching us. As we continued westward with the usual views of hill sides of prickly pears and Wildwood Canyon below, we came to the Mesa Trail. Instead of passing Lizard Rock on the south side, we hiked westward on the north side of Lizard Rock where we saw a spectacular view of the Santa Rosa Valley.
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July 10th – Santa Rosa Valley Lollipop Loop
Note: A map of Conejo Canyons Open Space is attached to this message; as you read the trip report, it should provide a general idea of the route our hike took.
6 hikers met in a dirt parking area on the left (east) side of Hill Canyon Road in Santa Rosa Valley Park (10241 Hill Canyon Road, Camarillo) on a cool early summer morning [which would become very hot as the day progressed]. We began our hike into the Conejo Canyons Open Space just west of Wildwood Park by crossing 25-foot-wide Arroyo Conejo Creek via a nice bridge that provided excellent views of the year-round creek which had lots of flowing water. We then hiked along the Hill Canyon dirt road; it followed the creek upstream toward a trail intersection that we’ve named “Five Points.” Slightly before reaching Five Points we followed a short nameless spur trail down to the very strongly flowing creek.
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NOTE; Conejo Canyons Bridge The bridge will “Provide trail and vehicular access across the Arroyo Conejo Creek” and will “allow trail users including pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians to have a defined route between Santa Rosa Equestrian Park and Wildwood Canyon.”
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July 3rd – Porter Ranch Counterclockwise Loop Hike
On a bright summer morning 4 hikers met at 6:30 AM at the Aliso Canyon Trail trailhead just below Porter Ridge Park at the east “end” of Sesnon Blvd near the north end of Reseda Blvd in Porter Ranch. We began our hike by walking west on Sesnon Blvd to Tampa Avenue near the trailhead at the north end of Limekiln Canyon. The early morning hour afforded us shade and tranquility for a short distance down the Limekiln Canyon trail. The shade and quiet continued after we crossed Tampa Avenue and hiked along the wide well-maintained Palisades Trail, which provided views of the surrounding area mainly to the south. There were some flowers and birds as well as bush rabbits seemingly everywhere.
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JUNE
June 26th – Chivo Canyon and Tapo Open Space Loop
9 hikers met on Westwood Street in the Wild Horse Canyon housing development in northeastern Simi Valley on a cool early-summer morning. After a short walk to the mouth of nearby Chivo (“goat”) Canyon we began hiking northward in the canyon bottom. At 0.7 mile along the trail we reached a trail junction. We turned left (west) and followed a short connector trail and soon began hiking the Tapo Open Space Loop trail (thereby leaving Chivo Canyon for a while). We followed the fairly well-maintained trail westward as it wound through a grassy valley and then rose somewhat steeply up to the high point of our hike where we took a short break and enjoyed the views.
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There were lots of blooming plants along our hiking route including (but not limited to) cliff aster, elegant clarkia, scarlet bugler, Indian paintbrush, coyote gourd, datura, heartleaf penstemon, Indian pink, bush mallow, tamarisk (salt cedar) sticky monkey flower, deerweed, morning glories, golden yarrow, sunflowers, yucca, and Mexican elderberry. There were several rabbits but very few other hikers or bicyclists. NOTE: The oil seeps not far from the mouth of the canyon have continued to grow; be careful not to step in any of it.
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June 19th – Long Canyon And Lang Ranch Open Space Loop
Six hikers met at 7:00 AM in the Long Canyon Trail parking lot in Wood Ranch on a warm but overcast morning. Our hike started along Woodridge Connector Trail with our usual friendly chat. While hiking the Autumn Ridge Trail It was apparent that summer had arrived, things were becoming dry. When we were passing through Lang Ranch Park a friendly young lady from a high school fitness gathering took our group picture. The Chumash Interpretive Center was lush and green with plenty of flowers. We saw woolly blue curls, monkey flower, bush poppy, heartleaf Penstemon, slender tarweed, smallseed sandmat and a lot of deerweed.
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MAY
May 29th – Sage Ranch Loop
After successfully navigating Black Canyon Road, 6 hikers arrived at the lower parking lot in Sage Ranch Park in the Simi Hills on a cool overcast late spring morning. The 625-acre park is located just north of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) (aka Rocketdyne/Boeing) at an elevation of 2,000’. It is chock-full of world-class sandstone rock formations and has several picnic tables shaded by large oak trees. Shortly after starting we skipped the side trail to a nice overlook that usually provides sweeping views of Simi Valley since mist covered the valley [we could still see the landscape where we were hiking]. We continued hiking along the main Loop Trail and a few somewhat overgrown “use” trails declining to hike up the imposing Sandstone Ridge (aka “Sugarloaf”) due to poor visibility. Eventually we reached the “detour” section of the trail and a temporary “fence” blocking a section of the original trail. The temporary blockage has been caused by a planned cleanup of the former trap and skeet range in the park We were pleasantly surprised [finally after several years] to see a team of workers apparently working on the cleanup. We turned onto the “detour” trail which led us northward through the center of the ranch, thus providing us with views of this little seen section of the park. We finished the hike on a recently discovered (by us) trail leading down to our cars. The clearly-seen wide variety of blooming plants blanketing the terrain more than offset the inability to see things in the distance.
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May 22nd – Alamos Canyon Open Space
Six hikers gathered at the trailhead of the Alamos Canyon Trail in the nearby Oak Park County Park. After paying the $2.00 parking fee we parked at the signed trailhead. We began our hike along the connector trail connecting the true trailhead to the Alamos Canyon Road, rich with flowering plants and bush (bunny) rabbits. Following the road uphill and then under Hwy 118, we saw a dozen or so swallow nests with their inhabitants swarming all around. Soon we reached the official signed entrance to the Alamos Canyon Open Space, and continued north/northeastward along the Alamos Canyon dirt road. There were a lot of birds all around, with crows and seagulls staying close to free pickings from the nearby landfill.
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May 15th – Wildwood Neighborhood Park Lynnmere Trail Loop
Six hikers (and one cute dog) met at the trailhead in the Baseball Field Parking Lot at the junction of Avenida de Los Arboles and Canna Street in Thousand Oaks on a pleasant overcast spring morning. We began our hike by crossing Avenida de Los Arboles to the east and descending into a tunnel under Avenida de Los Arboles. We then climbed some stairs and crossed Arroyo Conejo on a bridge; next we headed through a neighborhood to the Las Flores Trail which we followed to Lynn Road where we connected to the Lynnmere Trail which we followed west to the Wildwood Canyon Trail which we followed eastward back to Neighborhood Park.
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May 8th – Woodridge Lollipop Loop
Ten hikers met at the Long Canyon Trail parking lot in Wood Ranch on a bright spring morning. The Hike began by going west on the Woodridge Connector Trail where there were little bunnies all over, being eyed by a small, inconspicuous coyote. Upward on Simi / T. Oaks trail and crossing a paved road, we connected with the Woodridge Loop trail where there were views of elegant houses and Conejo Valley off to the south. To the north, at one point we could see Bard Reservoir through a fence. The hike continued around a gated community at the end of Sunset Hills Blvd. until we started heading east into Long Canyon Open Space. We enjoyed different types of scenery, quiet air and each other’s company, along with various flowers such as; morning glory, California everlasting, purple sage, wishbone bush, black sage, California bush sunflower, vetch, milk thistle, chaparral yucca. We completed a 4.4-mile round-trip hike with around 733’ of elevation gain/loss arriving back to our vehicles at the Long Canyon trailhead.
May 1st – Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park Loop
9 hikers met at 7:30 AM in the dirt parking area along Lilac Lane at the upper end of the Chatsworth portion of the Stagecoach Trail in the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park on a pleasant spring morning. We began our hike by following a short loop passing by a pond (with water) near our starting point. We then headed northeast into the park via the Mattingly Trail which we followed to the Upper Meadow Trail which led us to a rocky overlook of Chatsworth Park South and the surrounding area. We then followed a short connector trail northward to “Five Points” where we continued following the Mattingly Trail to the northeast to the Williams Trail which led downhill toward the Spahn Ranch [there’s little to see there now] and the El Camino Nuevo Trail which headed west and connected to the Sanchez Trail which we followed to the paved Santa Susana Pass Road (SSPR).
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Santa Susana Pass SHP – Brochure with MAP
APRIL
April 24th – Big Sky Loop
Six hikers met near the waterfall on Big Sky Place on a moderately cloudy morning. The hike began walking north on the sidewalk of Erringer Road, stopping at the Big Sky Trail entrance for a group photo. Going east, and crossing the stream we took the right fork for a counterclockwise loop. Up the first steady incline the wild flowers thickened, seeing mostly owl’s clover. Upon reaching the first summit and taking a breath we saw an old truck full of bullet holes at the bottom of a cliff. The hike continued while surrounded by bush sunflowers, on the north-south ridge east of the housing development. We enjoyed the views of the valley below and sections of different neighborhoods among the surrounding hills, including Whiteface Mountain.
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Photos taken of wildflowers included owl’s clover, deerweed, silver puffs, lupine, yucca, tidy-tips, red bush monkey flower, California bush sunflower, golden yarrow, popcorn flower, Santa Barbara milkvetch (Astragalus trichopodus), black sage, purple sage, blue dick, Catalina mariposa lily, bush lupine, and morning glory.
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April 10th – Los Robles Trail via the Los Padres Trail and Oak Creek Double-Loop
Three hikers met at the Los Padres Trail trailhead in Thousand Oaks on a cool spring morning. The beginning of the hike was very pleasant with its canopy of oak trees bursting with new growth, and the sound of a creek running alongside the trail. The trail steepened until we reached a dirt access road. We followed it up to its junction with the Los Robles Trail (the primary trail in Thousand Oaks) encountering an occasional swarm of what appeared to be mosquitos; they didn’t seem to be biting. Upon reaching the trail junction, we headed west on the Los Robles Trail but soon turned right onto the “Scenic Loop” trail which led us to the point which provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and grasslands. After stopping to take a short break we continued on along the Los Robles Trail; the swarms of mosquitoes thickened. We had to hold our breath for fear of breathing an unwanted guest as we descended to a nice oak-shaded picnic area taking another break, making use of a large picnic table. We then proceeded on to a junction with a connector trail that led us to the upper (south) end of the Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail.
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After hiking the heavily shaded western section of this loop we walked a short distance eastward along Greenmeadow Avenue to the (partially shaded) eastern section trailhead and hiked back up to the connector trail that led us to the south end of Moorpark Road. We returned to our vehicles about a block away and returned home invigorated, having completed a 4.6-mile hike with 692’ of elevation gain/loss, in 1hr-42 min. NOTE: There were several types of blooming plants along our route including (but not limited to) black walnut, fiddleneck, miner’s lettuce, green bark Ceanothus, wild cucumber, wishbone bush, long-beaked stork’s bill, purple nightshade, Ceanothus, sugar bush, canyon sunflower, fuchsia flowering gooseberry, sticky monkey flower, prickly phlox, Indian warrior, California everlasting, and California poppy.
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April 3rd – Mt. McCoy to The Reagan Presidential Library
Five hikers and a cute dog gathered at 7:30 AM at the Donut Delight parking lot on a chilly spring morning. We crossed Madera Road, walked the short distance to the west end of Royal Avenue and then headed up Washburn Street to the trailhead. We began our climb up the trail’s many switchbacks, enjoying the bright green foliage and blooms. Upon reaching the cross at the top of Mt. McCoy, we stopped for a short break. The sun was out and the morning had warmed up to a pleasant temperature. We enjoyed the views in all directions. Before long we headed toward the presidential library, passing the nearby water tank and then following the service road to Presidential Drive which we followed up to the library. Several guided tours outside the library were underway so we sat by an outdoor table and enjoyed the nice morning. Eventually we began heading back the way we came.
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MARCH
March 27th – Tapo Canyon Open Space Trail to Chivo Canyon
Seven hikers met at 7:30 AM near the dirt trailhead parking area (1,136’) for the Tapo Canyon Open Space Trail (T23) in Simi Valley. It was a cool but beautiful morning. Our hike began heading northward along the nearly flat dirt road/trail, with lush greenery all around. After a mile or so, the road/trail rose steadily to a narrow pass and a dirt-road junction (1,535’), where we took a short break and enjoyed the views of the valley before us and the rows of mountainous ridges to the northeast. Continuing, we turned right and began hiking the T23 loop, which took us along a dirt road/trail that led downward through oak woodland toward its eastern junction (1,276’) with itself. We turned right and hiked eastward down to the floor of Chivo Canyon where we noticed a small, newly constructed bridge crossing the stream. We crossed over the bridge and hiked about 0.4 miles on the Chivo Canyon Trail heading NE until we came to the junction of the Cappochi Trail. With a short break, we turned around and headed back the way we came to the creek crossing.
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March 20th – Santa Rosa Valley Park (Conejo Canyons Open Space)
5 hikers plus a cute dog met in a dirt parking area on the left (east) side of Hill Canyon Road in Santa Rosa Valley Park (10241 Hill Canyon Rd, Camarillo) on a cool foggy early-spring morning. We began our hike into the Conejo Canyons Open Space just west of Wildwood Park by crossing 25-foot-wide Arroyo Conejo Creek via a nice bridge that provided excellent views of the year-round creek which had lots of flowing water. We then hiked along the Hill Canyon dirt road; it followed the creek upstream toward a trail intersection that we’ve named “Five Points.” Slightly before reaching Five Points we followed a short nameless spur trail down to the strongly flowing creek where we spotted a couple of mallard ducks.We then made our way the short distance up to “Five Points” where we continued southeast along the Hill Canyon dirt road to the Conejo Canyons Bridge [“at the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant” adjacent to the nearby “Wetlands the home to local bird and wildlife”] which is in the final stages of its construction. The bridge will “Provide trail and vehicular access across the Arroyo Conejo Creek” and will “allow trail users including pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians to have a defined route between Santa Rosa Equestrian Park and Wildwood Canyon.”
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Almost immediately we turned right (east) onto the Plateau Rim Trail and followed it to an overlook above a seasonal waterfall (where there is a bench) and continued north/northwest until it rejoined the Western Plateau dirt road near the junction with the Volcanic Trail.
We then followed the Western Plateau dirt Road back down to “Five Points” where we retraced our steps along the Hill Canyon dirt road to our starting point. We reached our vehicles having completed a very pleasant 6.5-mile hike with about 822’ of elevation gain/loss. We encountered a few other humans during our hike (particularly near the end). There were lots of blooming plants including hoary leaved ceanothus, fuchsia-flowered gooseberry, holly-leaved cherry, purple nightshade, arroyo willow flower, milk thistle, wild cucumber, morning glory, bush sunflower, California goldfields, wishbone bush, Indian paintbrush, lupine, wild onion, lance-leaved dudleya, deerweed, blue dick, wild radish, and California peony.
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Click to see Conejo Canyons Trail Map.
March 13th – Wildwood Park: Mesa Trail, Stagecoach Bluff Trail, Lizard Rock Trail, Paradise Falls, Wildwood Canyon, Indian Creek Trail Loop
On an early almost spring morning, eleven hikers met at 7:30 AM at Wildwood Park west end parking off Avenida de los Arboles in Thousand Oaks. The hikers began their counterclockwise loop hike by heading west on the Mesa Trail. Continuing westward with the usual views down into Wildwood Canyon, we hiked through a huge display of prickly pear. Upon rejoining the Mesa Trail, we hiked leisurely westward up to a trail junction just below Lizard Rock.
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FEBRUARY
February 28th – Canyon View Trail, Coyote Hills Park, Oak Canyon, and Long Canyon Trail Loop
3 hikers (and one cute dog) gathered at the Long Canyon Trail trailhead parking lot at Wood Ranch in Simi Valley on a late-winter morning (a little chilly to begin with but soon quite nice) . We left the parking lot and headed east along Long Canyon Road to the southwest end of the Canyon View Trail. We began hiking uphill on the trail, enjoying ever-improving views of the surrounding area including the Bard Reservoir. We hiked along the ridgeline until we reached a junction with a trail leading down to Coyote Hills Park. After our descent we hiked through the park and then crossed Long Canyon Road and followed a nameless trail to the mouth of Montgomery Canyon. We passed by it, hiked south through Oak Canyon (aka East Long Canyon), and eventually reached the signed upper end of the Long Canyon Trail which we descended to the parking lot from which we started our hike, thus completing a 6.5-mile loop hike with about 1,300’ of elevation gain/loss on a pleasant morning for hiking. We encountered very few other people during our hike and spotted only a few blooming plants.
February 21st – Tapo Street, to the Arroyo Bike Path, to Arroyo Vista Park, and Back
Five hikers gathered in the parking area near Tio’s Café (which is near the Walmart store on Tapo Street in Simi Valley) shortly after the intermittent raining stopped. Soon after we began our hike the sky cleared and we were treated to sunlight, a blue sky, and puffy white clouds for the duration of our hike. We headed parallel to Tapo Street and then along its sidewalk until we reached the bridge over the Arroyo Simi; we were astounded by the amount of water rushing down the arroyo [it was the most we’d ever seen in the arroyo]. We continued south along Tapo Street until it curved to the west and its name changed to Guardian Street and soon passed by the impressive relatively new Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Activity Center. We continued westward through a surprisingly pleasant wooded “industrial” area to Tapo Canyon Road where we turned north until we passed over its bridge over the Arroyo Simi.
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February 14th – East Canyon
Two hikers met at the trailhead in the “East Canyon, Rice Canyon, and Michael D. Antonovich Open Space” section of the 4,000-acre Santa Clarita Woodlands Park via Interstate 5 and “The Old Road” in Santa Clarita. The weather was cold but warming slowly with the rising sunshine. We began the hike following the small stream, normally a creek, southward along the non-maintained and somewhat-eroded East Canyon Motorway. Lined with bay laurel, barren black walnut, cottonwood, sycamore, and oak trees, we were thankful for a new wooden bridge placed over the first stream crossing. As we continued up the dirt road a short distance, we came to a second stream crossing, where a group of four hikers and two dogs were held up and had decided to turn back. The banks of the crossing seemed steep and muddy so we decided to explore Rice Canyon instead. The heavily wooded trail that hugged the stream bed was gorgeous. After 0.92 miles, the trail became impassable, we crossed the stream eight times, up and back. Coming back we explored an unmarked trail; we went up about 500 ft. and then turned back. The plants we photograph were bay laurel, caterpillar Phacelia, milk thistle and arroyo willow. We hiked a total of 3.42 miles with 510′ elevation gain loss.
JANUARY
January 31st – Porter Ranch Loop
11 hikers met at 8:00 AM at the Canyon Trail trailhead just below Porter Ridge Park at the east “end” of Sesnon Blvd at the north end of Reseda Blvd in Porter Ranch on a pleasant sunny winter morning. We began our clockwise-loop hike by dropping down into Aliso Canyon; we then followed the wide dirt trail southward toward (nearly all the way to) Rinaldi Street and Aliso Canyon Park (Note: we used a workaround trail part of the way to avoid a section of the Aliso Canyon Trail that has been severely damaged by heavy rains in recent years). The Aliso Canyon Trail was nearly level and was dotted with large oak trees (many of which had been damaged by wildfire) and quite a few blooming sunflowers so it was a pleasant stroll through the canyon; there was water flowing in the stream. We then followed a well-defined connector trail that led somewhat steeply upward to Eddleston Park at Reseda Blvd. Crossing to the west side of Reseda Blvd, we hiked northward a short distance on an unnamed trail to the eastern trailhead for the Palisades Trail which we followed westward. The wide well-maintained Palisades Trail provided views of the surrounding area mainly to the south.
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January 24th – Chivo Canyon and Marr Ranch Road Loop
Eight hikers met at 8:00 AM at the “trailhead” on Cottonwood Drive in the Wild Horse Canyon development on a chilly winter morning. The sky was covered with clouds and there was stillness in the air as we began our hike through Chivo Canyon on a single-track trail. When we came to the old Chivo Canyon (dirt) Road we followed it to its junction with the Buckhorn Trail (named by Joe Beautz after finding a set of deer antlers). Along the way we passed a couple of large oil seeps (there were no new decorations).
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January 17th – Long Canyon and Lang Ranch Open Space Loop