NOTE:
This Web Site Has Been Relocated to: lospadres.sierraclub.org/conejo/index.html
After August 21, 2011 it will no longer be updated.

CONEJO GROUP - LOS PADRES CHAPTER - SIERRA CLUB
THOUSAND OAKS - MOORPARK - SIMI VALLEY - SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA

AUGUST 1 - 31, 2011 OUTINGS

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PARK INFO   CONEJO GROUP MEETINGS   CURRENT OUTINGS  TRAIL MAINTENANCE  
IMAGES   SIGHTINGS  NOTES   LINKS   NEWSLETTER   MEETING  PLACE  CONTACTS
CONEJO GROUP EXCOM ELECTIONS

 IMAGES

Balanced Rock - August 6, 2011
- The Fabulous Fourteen -

Sawmill Mountain Backpackers

Photo Courtesy of Hugh Warren

Mount Baldy Summit 7/2/2011

Mount Baldy Summit July 2, 2011

Photo Courtesy of Hugh Warren

OUTINGS

Weather Forecast: National Weather Service Forecast for Thousand Oaks

PLANNING CALENDAR

August
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  8   10   12 13
14 15   17   19 20
21(2) 22   24   26 27
  29B - 31  -    
September
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
          2  
  5       9  
  12        
19 23 24
  26   28   30  
October
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
             
  3       7
  10       14
  17       22
  24       28
  31          
November
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
          4  
  7          
Legend
XX - Active Listing YY - Leaderless
ZZ - Newsletter or Future List Backpack CarCamp Multiday
PP - Provisional TM - Trail Maintenance
GX - Group EXCOM Meeting ND - Nominations Deadline
PD - Petitions Deadline HP - Holiday Party
* First Monday in June - Start Meeting at 8:00 A.M.

August 2011

3 - Wednesday
THE URBAN TRAIL: Moderate 6 mrt loop with lake and urban mountain views.  Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes.  Meet at 5:30 P.M. at the trailhead.  Directions to the trailhead: north on the 23 Fwy toward Moorpark; exit at Sunset Hills Blvd. turning right onto Sunset Hills and continue to Erbes Road (about 1/4 mile); turn left onto Erbes and continue about 0.7 miles to the trailhead parking lot.  CYNDEE ZAHORIK (805) 492-1453

6 - Saturday
 BALANCED ROCK VIA MISHE MOKWA TRAIL AND SHORT USE TRAIL: Moderate 5.4 mrt hike with 500' elev. gain.  Although this is a short hike, summer conditions mandate each person bring at least 2 quarts of water or electrolyte drink, food and wear lug-soled shoes.  Meet in parking lot near the former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.  HUGH WARREN (805) 497-9612

7 - Sunday
LA JOLLA VALLEY - RAY MILLER TRAIL LOOP: Moderate 7.5 mrt hike with approx. 1800' elev. gain.  Experience breathtaking ocean views along with a cool ocean breeze.  Bring extra water, food and wear lug-soled footwear.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M.  CYNDEE ZAHORIK (805) 492-1453

8 - Monday
Leaderless Outing every Monday: Moderate 4-7 mrt hikes with 400' to 1500' elev. gain dependent on group consensus. Exceptions can and do occur to this general rule. Bring water, food and wear lug-soled footwear.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.

10 - Wednesday
 LANG RANCH LOOP: Moderate 4.3 mrt loop hike with 700' elev. gain leading to nice ridge views.  Bring water and lug-soled shoes.  Meet 5:30 P.M. at east end of Lang Ranch Parkway.  RICK KOPPEL (805) 523-1580

12 - Friday
HIDDEN POND LOOP: Moderate 10 mile hike with 1500' elev. gain.  Solve the mystery: does Hidden Pond have water in it? Bring extra water, food and lug-soled shoes.  Meet at Satwiwa Trailhead parking lot (entrance on Via Goleta before Dos Vientos development in Newbury Park) no later than 8:30 A.M.  LYNN LIVELY (805) 644-9668

13 - Saturday
 HONDO CANYON to TOPANGA LOOKOUT - TOPANGA STATE PARK: Moderately paced strenuous 10.6 mrt hike with 1800' elev. gain on the Backbone Trail.  New to this hike is a fairly level additional mile to a very scenic panoramic lookout.  Bring 2 quarts water, food and wear lug-soled boots.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.  CYNDEE ZAHORIK (805) 492-1453

14 - Sunday
 SIMI PEAK VIA FALLING STAR TRAILHEAD: Moderate 5-6 mrt hike with 1200' elev. gain. Please join us for this exploratory hike via the third route to the Simi Peak from the Falling Star Trailhead.  The trail will be rocky and steep at some places.  You are welcome to bring your "man's best friend".  Please bring plenty of water, food and wear hiking boots.  Meet at 9:00 A.M. at the trailhead.  Take the 101 Fwy to Lindero Canyon, go north to Kanan Road, turn left to Falling Star and follow the road to the end.  GABE SENDE (818) 999-5384

15 - Monday
Leaderless Outing every Monday: Moderate 4-7 mrt hikes with 400' to 1500' elev. gain dependent on group consensus. Exceptions can and do occur to this general rule. Bring water, food and wear lug-soled footwear.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.

17 - Wednesday
 UPPER SYCAMORE TRAIL ‑ SYCAMORE CANYON ROAD LOOP: Moderate 4‑5 mrt hike.  Bring water, food and lug-soled shoes.  Meet at 5:30 P.M. at Satwiwa parking lot.  Take the Lynn Road exit of the 101 Fwy. south to Via Goleta near Dos Vientos in Newbury Park.  Turn left into Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa and drive to the end parking lot.  LINDA BARRY (805) 492-0071

19 - Friday
 LATIGO CANYON: Moderate 8 mrt hike with approx. 1000' elev. gain.  Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes.  See rock animals.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.  LILLIAN TREVISAN (805) 498-1623

20 - Saturday
 MESA PEAK: Moderately strenuous 7 mrt hike with 1700' elev. gain in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the ocean.  Bring extra water, food and wear lug-soled shoes.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.  CYNDEE ZAHORIK (805) 492-1453

21 – Sunday
 EASY HIKES FOR BEGINNERS: If you are a beginning hiker this hike is for you.  The San Fernando Valley Group is planning easy hikes for every third Sunday of each month.  The hikes will be between 2‑4 miles and with very small elev. gains.  The hikes will take place in the San Fernando, Conejo and Simi Valleys.  The location will be selected 7 days before the hike, to account for the weather conditions.  If you are interested please call for the time and location.  GABE SENDE (818) 999-5384

ICEHOUSE CANYON to CUCAMONGA PEAK VIA ICEHOUSE SADDLE: Strenuous 12 mrt hike with 4300' elev. gain from Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak.  If you are interested in doing a shorter, moderately strenuous hike, Icehouse Canyon to Icehouse Saddle (8 mrt, 2600' elev. gain), please call leader to make arrangements.  Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 6:00 A.M. for carpooling.  LINDA BARRY (805) 492-0071

22 - Monday
Leaderless Outing every Monday: Moderate 4-7 mrt hikes with 400' to 1500' elev. gain dependent on group consensus. Exceptions can and do occur to this general rule. Bring water, food and wear lug-soled footwear.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.

24 Wednesday
 TRIUNFO COMMUNITY PARK: Moderate 4-5 mrt hike of leader's choice.  Bring water, food and lug-soled shoes.  Meet in the parking lot of Triunfo Park at the end of Tamarack Street off of Triunfo Canyon Road in Thousand Oaks at 5:30 P.M.  JOANNE SULKOSKE (805) 492-3061

26 - Friday
 OLD CABIN SITE - POINT MUGU STATE PARK: Moderate 8 mrt hike with 700' elev. gain.  Visit waterfall (seasonal).  Bring water, food and lug-soled shoes.  Meet at Wendy Drive trailhead at intersection of Potrero Road in Newbury Park no later than 8:00 A.M.  LILLIAN TREVISAN (805) 498-1623

27 - Saturday
 SANDSTONE PEAK TO SERRANO VALLEY: Moderately strenuous but mostly downhill 10 mile one-way hike with 1900' elev. gain and 3000' elev. loss on trails of Point Mugu State Park, including Backbone, Chamberlain Rock, Old Boney and Serrano Valley.  Car shuttle required.  Bring extra water, lunch and lug-soled shoes.  Meet at Sandstone Peak parking lot at 8:00 A.M. or call leader for carpooling information.  CYNDEE ZAHORIK (805) 492-1453

29 - Monday
Leaderless Outing every Monday: Moderate 4-7 mrt hikes with 400' to 1500' elev. gain dependent on group consensus. Exceptions can and do occur to this general rule. Bring water, food and wear lug-soled footwear.  Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:00 A.M. for carpooling.

August 29 to September 1 - Monday to Thursday
 COTTONWOOD LAKES TRAILHEAD to MITER BASIN BACKPACK: Moderate to strenuous 30 miles (some off trail while in the Miter Basin), 4 day, 3 trail nights photographically oriented backpack trip.  Backpack from Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead - Cottonwood Lakes - Miter Basin via New Army Pass - two nights in Miter Basin ‑ back to trailhead via Chicken Spring Lake/Cottonwood Pass.  One peak bagging (13,000 ft.+) or rest day (take your pick) while in Miter Basin.  Contact hike leader for more information.  Hike leader approval required for participation.  PETE SCIFRES (818) 991-5769, pete.scifres@scglobal.net
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CONEJO GROUP MEETINGS
 
TIME:  
DATE:  
SPEAKERS:  
PROGRAM: None
MEETING PLACE:  

MEETING LOCATION

CAMERON CENTER IN THOUSAND OAKS:  Go south on Lynn Road (over the 101 Freeway) to the four-way stop at Green Meadow.  Turn left, go to the end of street, turn left into driveway and follow to Cameron Center parking lot. Meetings are typically held on Thursdays several times a year at 7:00 P.M. Exceptions to this can and do occur. Check with the program schedule for meeting dates and places.


SIGHTINGS


Ventura County Activist Page

STATE AND NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION

The trail closure data below reflects only the N.P.S. website information.  Check with the State Parks Office at (818) 880-0350 or the National Park Service at (805) 370-2301 for information regarding the status of parks within their jurisdiction.

CURRENT STATUS - JANUARY 2009 - OF STATE and NATIONAL PARKS

Los Padres National Forest:

   The Los Padres National Forest has been re-opened. Care when hiking is required.

Forest Supervisor: Peggy Hernandez
Deputy Forest Supervisor: Ken Heffner
6755 Hollister Ave., Suite 150
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 968-6640

SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

During Rain...

Sometimes rain will cause the closure of unpaved parking areas. Lots usually reopen 1-2 days after the rain stops. Parking lots most commonly closed during or after rain are:

  • Zuma Canyon Lot at Bonsall Drive.
  • Rocky Oaks Main Lot at Mulholland Hwy.
  • Peter Strauss Ranch extended unpaved lot at Mulholland Hwy.
  • Cheeseboro Canyon Parking Lot off of Chesebro Road.

Use Caution and be Conscientious. During or shortly after rain, hazardous trail conditions may occur: including slippery trails, rock falls, tree falls, mud flows, and mud pits, especially in recent fire areas. When these conditions occur, recreational trail use is not recommended. Regular trail use can usually begin 1-2 days after the rain stops. If you notice hazardous trail conditions,  resource damage or would like updates, please contact our Visitor Center--805-370-2301.

During RED FLAG WARNINGS...

Dry, hot, windy conditions are conducive to fire. Some park sites are subject to closures. For more information: NPS Visitor Center 805-370-2301// State Park Fire Weather Hotline: 805-488-8147.

Cheeseboro Canyon, Palo Comado Canyon, Liberty Canyon, and Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve sites:  Public access is restricted to established official roads and trails from sunrise to sunset.  Please comply with posted restrictions and closures on site. Motorized vehicles are not permitted.
Solstice Canyon is open. Trails are widened and burned wooden structures have been removed.

Highway Restrictions: If you would like up to date information about local closures and others throughout the State of California visit CAL-Trans at www.dot.ca.gov. You may also contact the visitor center at (805) 370-2301.

TRAIL CLOSURES:

  • CIRCLE X;  Mishe Mokwa open to hikers only.
  • Cold Creek Canyon Trail is open
  • RANCHO SIMI TRAILS STATUS:  Open (see below for special notice)

CONEJO RECREATION and PARK DISTRICT - WILDWOOD TRAILS STATUS:  Closed when raining and trails muddy.

RANCHO SIMI TRAIL BLAZERS - WILDLIFE CORRIDOR TRAIL STATUS: (a "Use trail" and not an official trail) in Simi Valley, that connects Corriganville and the Rocky Peak Fire Road, has been completely closed to all (hikers, bikers and equestrians.)

TRAIL MAINTENANCE OUTINGS
 
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS
TRAILS COUNCIL

JOIN US !! ALL VOLUNTEERS INVITED -NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!!


• Call the listed leader to receive specific information about the trail and meeting place and to answer your questions. PLEASE let the leader know in advance of your intention to participate so that enough tools will be available. A parent or organization group leader must accompany volunteers under the age of 18.

• Meeting places and times vary as noted on the schedule below, and are subject to change, make sure when you call that you confirm the meeting time and place. We plan to end work at 2 pm at the trailhead, please tell the leader when you call if you need to leave earlier. Keep in mind we often car pool, shuttle or hike to the actual work site.

• General SMMTC information available from: Linda Palmer at 818-222-4531.
• If you can't reach the leader call Burt Elliott at 805-498-2475.

• BRING: water, lunch, work gloves, long sleeve shirt and eye protection. Sturdy shoes or boots and long pants required. We provide trail maintenance tools such as McLeods, Pulaskis, Loppers, Saws and Mattocks.

VISIT THE TRAIL MAINTENANCE VIDEO AT SMMTC.ORG FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE WORK WE WILL DO.

The www.smmtc.org website maintains the most up to date schedule and directions to the various work sites. Schedule changes sometimes occur.

NOTE: CONEJO GROUP SIERRA CLUB MEMBER and LOCAL AREA LEADERS TRAIL MAINTENANCE DAY IN BOLD COLOR.
 

Trail maintenance shall resume in September 2011 . . .

** indicates joint project with the Sierra Club Task Force; *** indicates joint project with CORBA.

NOTE: Other trail maintenance projects, unscheduled at this time, may be conducted in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA and Channel Islands National Park. Special projects might be arranged for school or corporate groups interested in performing trail maintenance as public service projects. If you are interested in arranging a special project, please contact Burt Elliott at 805-338-7150 or email us at mail@smmtc.org.

 

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TRAILS COUNCIL WEBSITE HAS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND MORE! www.smmtc.org
HIKE LEADERS

Contact Walt Zabriskie at conejohiker@verizon.net

To all Hike Leaders: Outings are due every month on the 15th
NOTES

SIERRA CLUB WAIVER
 All Sierra Club Outings require that you sign an "Acknowledgment of Outing Member Responsibility, Express Assumption of Risk, and Release of Liability" before you can participate in the outing. In addition, if a minor is going on the trip, the minor's guardian must sign on the minor's behalf. This agreement can be viewed by clicking on this link ==> WAIVER

WEATHER/TRAIL NOTE as of July 1, 2011:
The daytime temperatures are in the 65oF to 80oF+ range with sunny and early foggy conditions. The current temperatures are dangerous for the unprepared. Check with the park services for closure areas. Always bring lots of water when you hike. Trails are generally in good shape. Use a hat and sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 to 55 for long hikes. Check with the weather link below. Keep posted to this site for the latest as our hikers report on conditions.

The EASY HIKE SERIES are for newcomers to hiking or for persons wishing to enjoy the beauty of our local area without a lot of physical effort.  There will be frequent stops to insure everyone is together.  A short presentation of the club's various activities will be made before the hike starts.  Sample newsletters will be available.

Trail Status:
Trails are in fair to good condition with occasional areas where slides and heavy runoff has exposed rocks and created deep grooves in the trail. See closures above.

Current Requirements for Moderate to Strenuous Hikes:
Hikers should be physically capable of hiking in varied (possibly steep) terrain with loose rocks, gravel and mud and some bushwhacking (described in outing).  Be prepared for high winds, hot/cold temperatures and rain as these conditions can occur at any time.  It is highly recommended that you wear lug-soled shoes and bring water and food.  You may not be permitted to hike with the group at the leaders discretion if you do not have these items with you.  Check with the leader as rain and/or dangerous conditions (Red Flag Warning, etc.) may cause the hike to be canceled.

 

LINKS TO WEB SITES

Los Padres Chapter Website  The hikes listed in this web site should be checked by calling the leader.  Hikes listed are listed with a two letter Group in parentheses:  Conejo, Sespe (SP), Santa Barbara (SB), Arguello (AR) and the three letter exception - West LA (WLA) (Angeles Chapter).  Sespe Group has their hikes listed on a separate web page on the chapter website.
Angeles Chapter Outings  A listing of Today's Outings are on this page as you open it. To find outings on other dates scroll down to the bottom of the page and enter your date range and any other advanced search parameters. Leaders are listed, but no contact information is given. If you need to contact the leader(s) click on Outings Leaders found on the left side column and follow the instructions given.
Trailheads in the Santa Monicas and Surrounds The site is useful for finding Trail Maintenance and hiking locations. Created by a collaboration with the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council. Each area you link to displays the selected trail on a Google Maps overhead or satellite view.
@LA the Guide to Greater Los Angeles and Southern California  This is a valuable site for obtaining links to other environmental and conservation organizations.
 California State Parks Web Page  The web site lists all State Parks, allows online reservations, lists park programs and contains an events calendar.  Many events are depicted graphically.  Try it you'll like it!
National Park Service Web Page for the Santa Monica Mountains  This site lists interesting information about what to do (see their events for the quarter in OUTDOORS online) as well what is the latest information about trail closures (duplicated here).
Weather in the local area from the National Weather Service, Oxnard, CA This is a textual listing of weather for the Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County areas.  Use the find feature of your browser (CTRL-F) or scroll to search for your city.
Weather from the National Weather Service, Los Angeles/Oxnard, CA The site has weather data for the technically inclined. Satellite and Radar images are available in many formats. Create your own weather forecasts. Now you can look out the window and know which way the clouds/rain are going.
Caltrans Highway Information  Check this site for any information about traffic, road closures, freeway maps with traffic speeds, incidents, etc.  A valuable resource to bookmark.

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CONEJO GROUP NEWSLETTER

The Newsletter provides information about the club's various activities and at least two months of outings for advance planning.

For a free copy of the newsletter sent by e-mail every month in PDF format send an e-mail to John Holroyd with your name and e-mail address to backpacker2@earthlink.net.

 To obtain a sample paper copy of our newsletter e-mail John Holroyd at the address listed above. To subscribe for a year send a check for $10.00 made out to:

 

CONEJO GROUP SIERRA CLUB

643 Old Farm Road

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Provide your name, address, e-mail address and phone number and indicate whether this is a new subscription or a renewal.
Note:  A subscription does not imply membership in the National Sierra Club or it's chapters or groups. *The newsletter will be sent by 1st Class mail.

CONTACTS:

 

Group Chair:

JOHN HOLROYD

backpacker2@earthlink.net

Outings Chair:

WALT ZABRISKIE

conejohiker@verizon.net

Membership Chair:

JERI ANDREWS

JeriAndrew@aol.com
 

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This Page Updated August 12, 2011

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