Directions: From the 101 Freeway in Ventura, drive North to Carpenteria and exit at Santa Claus Lane. Turn right at the exit and then an immediate left on Via Real. Turn right on Nidever Rd. This turns into Foothill, the 192. Stay straight and follow the windy, scenic road. Turn right on Toro Canyon Rd and the look to the right for the trailhead. Park on the side of the road.
Ayden spotted the Dragonfly chilling out...
The trail is well marked but it immediately becomes overgrown. Ayden ducked and weaved through most of it while I plowed through. The area was moist with little water flow and mostly shaded. Just as my poison oak has dissipated from a few weeks ago, only time will tell if more will return...
We climbed up from the dark thick
Escape route to the street
Upper Toro Ridge Entrance
We decided to bypass this trail for another time. The lower portion only took about 15 minutes up a couple hundred feet. I knew that there were some trails back here from a previous experience: Day 41 Toro Canyon Park So, we decided to march a quarter mile further up the road:
This is kind of a dirty old park and Ayden wasn't really interested in playing. Maybe he had Chuck E Cheese stuck on his mind; I promised to take him if he went on this hike with me. So, we turned back and hiked the street to the car. Along the way:
A mysterious gate???
There appears to be some sort of old shed with a power box. The growth of the forest overtook most of it but the generator box was left in the On position:
Well, that was interesting. Before reaching the car, I snapped a final shot over the area and ocean beyond...
**Flashback from Day 41:
I noticed that on Day 41, my blogpost did not contain any pics. This was during the time frame where I ran out of space and I opened up a Facebook account. Well, I have deleted most of my pictures from last year off my computer but I was able to upload a few from Facebook. You'll notice that my camera was in better condition back then (pre broken camera trail). I took these pics on a wet misty day. Nowadays when the weather is like that, my camera really struggles. Anyhow, here are some pics of Toro Caynon Park:
Oak of the Golden Dream (The California Gold Rush!)
Placerita Canyon Natural Area
Botany, Ecology & Heritage Trails
Where: Santa Clarita, California
Distance: 2.5 miles +225 feet
Time: 1.5 Hours
Congratulations to Ayden for placing 2nd in the Dive Tourney!
How the Gold Rush began:
Oak of the Golden Dream
Directions:
From Ventura, take the 126 all the way to the 5 South. From LA, take the 5 North. Take the 5 to the 14 North. Exit on Placerita Canyon Road and turn right. Drive about 2 miles and then turn right into the Placerita Canyon Natural Area.
There are a ton of trails here! Since this was my first visit, we parked in the back by the visitor center/museum. A volunteer was there greeting people with her pet owl:
The Owl at the top of this post is caged in the back next to this Hawk:
Today they were having a show with a number of live animals. We stopped here after Ayden's dive meet, which was in Santa Clarita, and before our trip to Ikea. Therefore, we could not make the show but before our hiking adventure, we toured the museum:
Mountain Lion
Bob Cat
Wow, the real like stuffed Mountain Lion brought back memories from my encounter. Of course, the one I saw was even larger than this replica. There were a number of other stuffed animals but time was of the essence so we journeyed off on the easy trails:
Botany Trailhead
Just to the left of the building you'll find the easy trailhead. The Botany trail is only about a quarter mile but it leads to the longer Ecology Trail. These simple trails are perfect for a whiny kid and frustrated wife :)
It wasn't very hot and the trail was partially shaded but you the family would swear it was 100 degrees and torture. --This really is a simple hike. We completed the entire loop in about thirty minutes and then walked to the other side of the parking lot:
The Cabin
After the cabin, we raced up the stairs, which led to an .... overflow parkingarea... we race back down and crossed the street:
The bridge leads to a large camping area. There are also trails back here but we turned around to hike the very short Heritage Trail...
Ayden was relieved!
Murals in the tunnel
Oak of the Golden Dream: Pictures seen near the top of this blog post. The tunnel leads to the historic area. I took a rest underneath a nearby oak tree and opened my eyes to some, poison oak... Not really, but hoping to find gold, it looks like the forty-niners beat me to it. Awesome history lesson though, right in my new backyard. Before we left the area, I snapped a picture for a future hike:
I read up and discovered that there are some pretty awesome trails back here. I will be back, but for now, a short road trip to Burbank to shop at Ikea. This adventure took 2+ hours, 2+ miles of walking amongst thousands of annoying people. The wife was hippity-hop in the store while I dragged my feet. It's funny how that works; and no I did not add the Ikea hiking total to my mileage count but I did add the $100+ bill to my next credit card statement :)
It was a typical Friday. I figured on hiking somewhere in Ventura. My plan was to rush home, care for Domino and then figure out the hike later. However, drivers today were insane! Hmm, maybe it was me. Prolly a good idea to keep it under a hundred in between traffic. --A car jolted out just before the grade hoping to gain ground in the fast lane. The flow of traffic was moving between 20 - 50 mph. Meanwhile, I found a stretch and easily hit 100mph+ until this stupid car made its move! Immediately, with my right hand I calmly gave the front break some pressure. At the same time, I stepped down as hard as I could with my right foot to apply the back break. I leaned hard left and my back end fishtailed. Within a split second, my position between the #1 (fast lane) and #2 (middle lane) was jolted to the far left berm, just millimeters from the wall. Instinct lifted up my left foot to embrace the wall but I was able to lean right, release the break and steady myself around the invading car...
Close call??? Wow... I've ridden over 20,000 miles in just over 2 years and this is the closest that I have come to wiping out! My heart skipped few beats and then I took it easy going down the Conejo Grade. Of course, I still rode in between traffic because that's all I know. In fact, I typically feel safe as long as my speed is within 10 mph of the flow. Yeah, once in a while I get carried away.
Directions:
From the bottom of the 101 Grade in Camarillo, exit at Camarillo Springs and it will be impossible to miss today's trailhead:
Trailhead
**Ok, so rather than racing home, I pulled to the side and decided to make it a hike. Let's be honest; if you travel the 101 daily like I do, you're curious as to what is on the top of that hill. Well, today was the day...
I had soo much adrenaline pumping that I ran up nearly the entire hill!
From the top
Looking toward Santa Rosa...
When I was done with the climb, I ventured down the flat road beneath the large hill. Essentially, I jogged around this entire field. Today was a good workout and by the time I was done -- well, I still remembered the incident. Even so, I rode like normal home, fast, in between cars, and I didn't allow it to bother me...
Day 276: Wednesday August 17, 2011
Acorn Acres Park
Distance: 2.25 miles +50 Feet
Time: 1 Hour
**Basically, this is just outside of Thousand Oaks High School. I knew of this place because I once played softball here. Only about 5 minutes from my work, I stopped by here on my way home to jog around the baseball fields and what not. --I spent more time at home after work taking care of my dog. Trekking with her to the top of my hill has been more of a commitment than my actual hiking. Somehow, I am managing to do both...
Day 277: Wednesday August 17, 2011
Kingsmen Park
Distance: 2.50 miles +25 Feet
Time: 1 Hour
Traveling down Moorepark Rd in Thousand Oaks, I turned left on Arboles and then right on Mountclef. A few streets up I turned left on Memorial Parkway and found a real cool place for an afternoon stroll. I parked my bike and took advantage of the greenery and shade on this warm day. Honestly, this is a nice place to visit. Cement paths are surrounded by North Carolina colored grass and solid trees which make for a special stroll, jog through it all...
Directions:
From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, take the 23 Freeway North and exit at Sunset Hills. Turn Right on Sunset Hills. Turn left on Erbes. Follow the road down around the long hill and then look for the trailhead on your right.
The trail begins with a soft switchback leading higher. Easy climb and then you flatten out for a moment. You will see the reservoir in under five minutes if your jogging. There are other trail options but I stayed on the obvious one to the right. A well traveled left fork would take you down to water level -- next time...
This route follows along the fence. You have the option to then go lower to the right or turn left to continue around the reservoir.
I continued a bit further and then turned around. This route passes the the private gate at Sunset Hills and then turns towards the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley. In fact, it would be much faster to walk to Simi versus driving ALL the way around.
I turned back and headed down the last fork that I had past a while back. This quick route led me down a steep hill and cement drainage system to McCrea Rd. Thus, you could park at the Cul-de-sac and begin here if you wanted, but the route is not as desirable. Actually, the map indicates a legit trail just before the private gate at Sunset Hills. This trail to the south will lead you past the Lang Ranch Area, Albertson Fire Road and all the way to China Flat & Simi Peak. Of course, I've hiked all of these trails, but never from Sunset Hills -- next time... (If you are interested in these trails, click on "search" in the upper right of this blog and type in the key words. I usually do this for you and then attach the link, but I'm being lazy tonight :))
--Finally, I ran back along the streets to get back to my bike...
Day 271: Friday August 12, 2011
Balcom Canyon Road
Distance: 2.75 miles +350 feet
Time: 1 Hour++
Balcom Canyon
With a better camera, you would see the awesome Los Padres Range beyond. In fact, you have a direct condor view of Dough Flat (Condor Sanctuary in the Sespe). --Clear day, and beautiful!
When I lived in Santa Paula, I ofter took the back way home (Balcom Canyon), especially on Fridays. There are no legit hiking trails back here, but the Canyon makes for a great ride with unexpected views.
I said there were no "legit" trails
There was no "No Trespassing" sign, so I hopped the gate. So, whats with it with brown, dead thistles that hurt like hell? I mean, those sharp little poky points are so annoying. Can't they just soften up with the brush?? I'm just getting over my poison sumac and these bristles are really scratchy! I suppose I shouldn't be here, but I had to hike somewhere. The trail is ok for a moment but then the thick overtakes. Then you reach a fence and the hike becomes a nasty uphill climb after the tree oasis. I stopped just beyond the trees and came back. Forget about it!
Another Gate :)
(This one leads to cows. Moo....)
A cool place to hike up...
Overall, a pretty chill day but I cannot recommend coming here because there are no public trails. Sorry...
Day 272: Saturday August 13, 2011
Sunset with Domino
Distance: 3.75 miles +375 feet
Time: 2 Hours
First of all, Domino did not hike this distance. During the day, I went to the Ice Skating rink with the family. When we came home, I took Sammi for a jog up and above Arroyo Verde. Because I did not go lower into the park, I once again battled the scratchy poky thistles. At least this time I was prepared by wearing my torn up fatigues. I once went this way and hiked all the way to Via Arroyo. Today, Sammi and I danced around to the left and then finally dropped down to the upper trails to the park. When I came home I noticed Domino wasn't doing too well. So, I harnessed the leash around her stomach and patiently walked her up the hill. Then, above the park from the Topa Topa gate, we sat on a blanket and watched the sunset.
This is real hard on me. Everyday its like caring for an elderly person. She cannot move without my assistance but she still eats like a champ. Domi has been peeing and pooping on me while I move her but I can't be mad or fault her. She really does try to hold it and sometimes she does, but when I lift her awkwardly, it just has to come out. Sometimes she poops and then sits in it while she eats.
I'm doing everything I can and I know she appreciates it. I gave her a bath today, and then she pooped on herself again!!! Frustrating, but after 12 years together, you could not expect me to do less. Hey, she still barks, wags her tail occasionally so she still has purpose!
Day 274: Monday August 15, 2011
Country Trail Park
Where: Morepark
Distance: 3.25 miles +275 feet
Time: 1 Hour
Off Tierra Rejada & Mountain Trail Road
Nice scenery and jogging paths
Running sewer water (groovy)
Across the street
I wasn't sure where I was going today so I just started driving and ended up in Morepark. I found the street Mountain Trail Road, so I took a chance. I then found a park with the name "trail" in it. Perfect! The park was cool and as usual, no one was here? What's wrong with you Californians!!! Get off the couch and get outside!!! ---IMHO, the coolest part of this place was the hill across the street. I jumped the narrow drainage system and skyrocketed up the hill. OPEN SPACE!!! The area was just barely overgrown; totally doable. I wandered around back here for a bit and felt satisfied...
