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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260203T180000
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DTSTAMP:20260531T104934
CREATED:20260201T164548Z
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UID:120766-1770141600-1770154200@dev.hikingwithdean.com
SUMMARY:Tapo Canyon Tar Pits - Easy Intermediate
DESCRIPTION:5.4 miles\, 1050′ gain\, Easy Intermediate\nThis hike is one of the most beautiful hikes in Simi Valley. There are 3 extended inclines\, about 1000 steps each\, on fire road. They are not especially steep\, but they do continue for some time\, which is why it is rated “Easy Intermediate.” There are also several small hills of 100 steps or less. \nThe extended inclines will get the blood pumping during this lollipop hike. We’ll be moving through the famous Tapo Canyon and visiting natural tar pits that bubble up from the ground. \nThe first pit is really a puddle that looks like someone spilled a couple 55-gallon drums of tar that was later contained using a spill rope. The next two are a little larger\, again\, contained by spill ropes to keep the sticky black tar from getting on the trail. You will see dinosaurs and sometimes body parts\, and I’m not kidding. \nFrom the trail head\, we’ll start on a leisurely stroll for about 0.6 miles\, followed by a steady climb for the next mile\, completing the first extended incline. \nWe’ll turn left at the junction\, climb a small hill of a couple hundred steps\, and then head down for 1.5 miles. \nWe’ll make a right turn down a smaller trail and go for about 100 yards until we reach the tar pits. After looking around for a bit\, we’ll head back\, and after 0.25 miles\, we’ll come to another junction where we will stop and share snacks and beverages. \nFor the return\, we’ll turn left and there will be a steady climb for about 3/4 of a mile to another junction. We’ll turn left again and return down for about 1.4 miles to complete the lollipop. \nEasy option (no host): 3 miles\, 300′ gain.\nPark at 5079 Westwood St\, Simi Valley\, CA 93063. Follow Cottonwood Dr/Yosemite Ave south (down) 1000′ to the trailhead. Enter and turn immediately left. After 350′\, there is a split. It doesn’t matter which you take. The right (upper) is single-track\, the left (lower) is fire road. After ½ mile\, the two trails merge into the fire road. After 600′\, you arrive at the tar pits. Keep going another 600′\, left at the dead end\, and 1/3rd mile to the social event location. Return the way you came. \nDirections:\nTapo Canyon\n3802 Tapo Canyon Road\nSimi Valley\, CA 93063 \nFrom the 118:\nExit 27 Tapo Canyon Rd.\nTapo Canyon Rd. north for 1.7 miles.\nTrail head on the right\, before Lost Canyon Rd.\nParking is free in the gravel area in front of the trail head\, and along the road on both sides. \nFrom CA-23:\nCA-23 north to CA-118 east.\nCA-118 east for 8.7 miles.\nExit 27 Tapo Canyon Rd.\nTapo Canyon Rd. north (left) for 1.7 miles.\nTrail head on the right.\nParking is free in the gravel area in front of the trail head\, and along the road on both sides. \nHike\nDistance: 5.4 miles\, Easy Option: 3 miles\nGain: 1050′\, Easy Option 300′\nDistribution: Reasonably well distributed.\nDifficulty: Easy Intermediate\nShape: Lollipop\, clockwise.\nPace: 2.0 mph.\nTrail Type: Fire road and double track. Areas of sand\, gravel\, and rock\, some of it rugged.\nTrail Variations:\nSeveral extended inclines of 1000 steps.\nSeveral steep sections of 300 steps\, but no hands required.\nDuration: 3.5 hours\nDogs: Yes.\nRestrooms: No\nDrinking Fountains: No.\nParking: Free in the gravel area in front of the trail head\, and along the road on both sides. \nWhat to bring:\n1 liter of water for every 3 miles.\nSnacks and/or beverages to share\nHiking shoes preferred\, but athletic shoes will be OK.\nFlashlight or headlamp. \nHosting \nRoute: The host knows the route.\nNavigation: Host memory\, enhanced by GPS navigation as needed.\nHike type: Social. \nStops:\nThe host may designate stopping points to let others catch up. This hike will include an extended stop for a snack and beverage share at the half way point\, which we will pass\, and then return to after seeing the tar pits. \nWe will stop at junctions to make sure everybody makes any turns or chooses the correct direction at splits\, else something will be used to mark the direction\, usually a large arrow made of baking soda. There may not always be a sweeper designated to be the last hiker. \nEach hiker is responsible for knowing their capability\, only attending events where they are able to sustain the described pace\, for keeping up with the group sufficiently enough to make the turns and not get left behind\, and for making sure the host is notified if they are going to split from the group. \nFAQ\nHiking Plus Page Links\nDisclaimer / Release of Liability
URL:https://dev.hikingwithdean.com/event/tapo-canyon-tar-pits-easy-intermediate/
LOCATION:3803 Tapo Canyon Rd\, Tapo Canyon Road 3803\, Simi Valley\, CA\, 93065\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hiking Plus
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ORGANIZER;CN="Hiking Plus":MAILTO:meetup-group-FRgxgAAf-announce@messages.meetup.com
GEO:34.30477;-118.7204849
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=3803 Tapo Canyon Rd Tapo Canyon Road 3803 Simi Valley CA 93065 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Tapo Canyon Road 3803:geo:-118.7204849,34.30477
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