Saturday, January 28, 2012

Day 438: Rancho Potrero Open Space - Loop to Hidden Pond Trail & Rancho Sierra Vista

Day #438 * Hike #494 * New Track #448Thursday January 26, 2012
Rancho Potrero Open Space - Newbury Park
Loop to Hidden Pond Trail & Rancho Sierra Vista
My Tripometer: 1.5 Hours * 5.75 Miles * +700 Feet

Today's Trailhead (wrong way)

Directions:
From the 101 Freeway in Newbury Park, exit on Borchard and follow Borchard all the way into Dos Vientos.  Turn right on Rancho Dos Vientos and take this to the end.  Turn right on Lynn Road (becomes Portero Road).  Immediatly on the left you will see a gate; this is where you should park.  However, I rode up a few hundred more feet and parked at this drive in the picture above.  I jumped the fence and began my journey...


 Rancho Potrero Open Space

This map cutout is from the Pt. Mugu State Park Trail Map.  The Rancho Potrero Open Space is located adjacent to the popular Rancho Sierra Vista Park (where most people ascend to climb Boney and view the waterfall).  This was my third visit to the open space.  My mission today was to start from this location and hike west and stay above Potrero road.  However, as you can see by my blue inking and highlighted route, I created a loop back to Rancho Sierra.  The blue is a bit confusing because its the same color the map uses to separate the section.  If you follow close, the route is easy to do...

 Creepy Coyote

Not much more than a quarter mile down the road a fence blocks the dirt road.  A Private Property sign is ample enough warning for me to not continue.  I thought about it and then said, nah.  Guess this will be a short hike...  Maybe I'll come back another time and venture off this way.  I didn't have my park map at the time but after looking at it, this road should lead all the way down to Las Posas Road in Camarillo.  Sooo much open space to explore and not a sole in sight.

Let's head this way 

It looks like a little footpath, but not really.  A moment later, I am tramping over uneven grass.  I kept my eyes open for the coyote.  I had to clear a barbwired fence and then rejoined where I have been before; a cement slab with collapsed wood where a structure once stood.  From here there are a couple narrow single footpaths going up through the grass.  I tried one and within a few moments I joined a road:

The Adventure Begins


 Looking Below -- Amazing Hidden Greenland

 Boney ahead was shinning

 At the T-Junction on the Valley floor, I turned left...

 Bunny



 The trail continues lower and into the gloomy forest

 It's pleasant in here - you will jump a fence and cross the dry creek

 T-Junction (Hidden Pond Trail); I chose left

 Crossing another dry creek

Confirmation that I was on the Hidden Pond Trail

I located this on the map and if you follow it way out, there is actually a hidden pond back here.  This trail ended at a paved road.  At first I was confused but then realized that I was on the bike trail that goes all the way to Sycamore Canyon Campground in Malibu.  I road my old mountain bike down here nearly a decade ago.  Of course, hmm, which way do I go today?  I chose left...


 Trailhead across the street


 I saw a biker at the bridge, I followed him
(Uphill from here for +400 feet or so)

 Turn left on the Ranch Overlook Trail all the way back...

It was nearly dark by the time I reached the Rancho Sierra Vista area.  Once I climbed to the top and witnessed the open field, I felt safe.  I continued down the cement bike path until I reached the Ranch Overlook Trail.  On the right was Satwiwa Culture Center but no time today for a visit.  From this spot, it's still about 1.5 miles back to my bike.  A slight incline and then across the horse trail.  Eventually, the trail will veer left and back up to a cool hill with trees.  Instead, I cut across to the right on a single track across the grass...

 Sunset

The Proper Trailhead for The Rancho Potrero Open Space

I passed the trailhead where many cars were parked and zoomed back to my bike.  I jogged most of the route today; good workout.  Still much more to explore back here.  Today was great.  Day time temps were in the mid 80's!  It's January --  Love Cali!


Day #437 * Hike #493 * New Track #447Wednesday January 25, 2012
Pilgim Studios & Draft Bar - North Hollywood
My Tripometer: 2 Hours * 1.5 Miles * +25 Feet
Off Laurel Canyon and the 101, Jess and I met up with my sister Julie to apply for another Reality Show.  Scavenger Hunt was the show and I hope we get picked!  That said, I think we botched the interview.  Oh well.  We walked about the streets in this area, and then circled down to a bar "Draft Bar".  They had an interesting Hamburger Taco, which had French Fries in it.  The food was not that great, but the beer is always good.  Jess ordered the loaded potato skins but they came out shriveled up like a granny's A$$.  I ordered the LA Street Dog, it was just ok but the Onion Rings I ordered it with were great!

We rode 150 miles back and forth and around today on the bike.  My butt is still sore.  Great weather though so no complaints...

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