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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Xylus Themes//Easy Events Calendar//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
X-WR-CALNAME:Hill Canyon - Western Plateau
X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:ab0f0497f6d1952eae994b9ed0fec9de@dev.hikingwithdean.com
DTSTAMP:20261108T021452Z
DTSTART:20150215T170000Z
DTEND:20150215T200000Z
SUMMARY:Hill Canyon - Western Plateau
ATTACH:https://hwdmedia.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19135008/120807_image_600_497276533.png
IMAGE;VALUE=URI;DISPLAY=BADGE;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://hwdmedia.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/19135008/120807_image_600_497276533.png
DESCRIPTION:We began exploring this area in 2008 and our first official Meetup hike was in January 2009 when we were the original "The Weekday Hikers.". At that time there was a system of old use trails known mainly only to a few local equestrians. It soon became a favorite and regular hiking location for us.\\n\\n\\n\\nFrom 2008 to 2011 Hill Canyon was the location of our unofficial club house. I don't know if its still there\, but we will check and see:\\n\\n\\n\\nhttp://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/6/9/6/highres_11898070.jpeg\\n\\n\\n\\nA few years later\, open space agencies and other trail-builders literally followed in our footsteps and began converting the use trails to official "new" trails\, erected trail signs and built bridges. Our last visit was in February 2012 for the bridge opening\\n\\n\\n\\nhttp://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/4/6/0/event_91629312.jpeg\\n\\n\\n\\nBefore the bridge was built this is how we crossed the creek. Here we are on a hot September day in 2009:\\n\\n\\n\\nhttp://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/5/0/600_433156208.jpeg\\n\\n\\n\\nSince its popularization\, and me moving to the westside\, I have been ignoring this locale. But now\, 6 years since our first hike here and 3 years since our last one\, its time to go back!\\n\\n\\n\\nWe'll do 8-10 miles with plenty of elevation gain.\\n\\n\\n\\nPost hike lunch\\nThe Natural Cafe - Directions from trailhead: http://tinyurl.com/conejo-natcafe\\n1714 Newbury Rd\, Newbury Park\, CA 91320\\n(805) 498-0493\\n\\n\\n\\nHill Canyon is part of a system of deeply eroded canyons\, plateaus and ridgelines now known as the Conejo Canyons Open Space. On clear days\, trails in this area afford dramatic views of Ventura and the coastline\, as well as inland to the Topa Topa mountains north of Ojai. This area also conserves a variety of habitats\, including coast live oak woodlands\, riparian habitats\, interior sage scrub/chaparral\, and coastal sage scrub. The hike will be about 8 miles with moderate elevation gain.\\n\\n\\n\\nPrior to 2000 plans for high end homes were made to be built on the Western Plateau above Hill Canyon. There were a couple of problems. An access road would be a very expensive addition to the cost of the properties. Fire access requires a separate emergency access which was not feasible without access through city property. A bordering golf course would add to the property values and if done right would provide the emergency access at little cost. A win-win for the developer. No problem. He got city officials to spend about $2.6 million to plan a golf course with the emergency access.\\n\\n\\n\\nBut then Audubon members and other environmentalists showed pictures of the flood plain under water after a big rain. The club house would have to be up on the ridge above to be feasible. Golfers would have to be driven down to tee off. The golf course plans got canceled and a land trade was worked out by the same city officials who caused the $2.6 million to be wasted.\\n\\n\\n\\nHill Canyon and the Western Plateau is now the Conejo Canyons Open Space.\\n\\n\\n\\nWho is that guy up there?\\n\\n\\n\\nhttp://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/5/f/4/highres_7002484.jpeg\\n\\n\\n\\nPeruse the Pics from some previous hikes:\\n\\n\\n\\nhttp://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=522006\\nhttp://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=768037\\nhttp://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=5956072\\n\\n\\n\\nDirections to trailhead\\n\\n\\n\\n“If you’re early\, you’re on time. If you’re on time\, you’re late. If you’re late…don’t bother showing up”\\n\\n\\n\\nFrom the 101 Freeway\\n\\n\\n\\nExit Rancho Conejo Blvd.\\nTurn north and make a left at the first light\, Hillcrest Dr.\\nTurn left at W Hillcrest Dr 0.3 mi.\\nTurn right at Lawrence Dr 0.8\\nTurn left at Conejo Center Dr 0.7 mi.\\nPark on the street among the truck trailers.\\nTrailhead is on the west (left) side.\\n\\n\\n\\nBring 2 Qt water\, lugsoles\, snacks\, sunscreen\, hat
LOCATION:Hill Canyon - South\, 1600 Conejo Center Dr
URL:https://dev.hikingwithdean.com/eec-event/hill-canyon-western-plateau/
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