North Ranch Trails

North Ranch Trails
Trails of
North Ranch
Overview
of adjacent areas
Trail Map
Trailheads
Trail Descriptions
GPS tracks
Official
Websites
Geocaches
Photos
Videos
Area
Weather
Hillcrest
Ridge Trail, with the Cutoff visible at the top of the hill
Overview
This area is dominated by two trail systems: the
Hillcrest
Ridge
White Sage Trail
loop, and
Saddle
Pass Trail
and its connections. Both systems run up to the top of prominent
ridges with several connections to nearby neighborhoods. The ridgetops provide
great views in every direction and the sometimes steep ridgeline trails
provide great exercise. At the time of this writing (January 2022), the
Wishbone
Trail
is the newest major trail in the Conejo Valley, completed in 2019.
A hidden beauty is tucked away in the north-east corner of this area, the
Lindero
Creek Trail
Because of the steepness of the trails, none of them are favored
by mountain bikers. But they're great for people who want to get in a quick
work-out hike.
There is easy connectivity to the
Oakbrook
trails to the north and
Oak Park
trails
to the east. The
overview
of adjacent areas
shows how these areas are connected.
Map
Key
Printable map
(1.5 MB)
Official Websites
Conejo Open
Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) website
Conejo
Creek North Park
Conejo
Creek South Park
Sapwi
Trails Community Park
Sapwi Trails Bike
Park
Trailheads,
Parking and Features
a.
South-east end of Gainsborough Rd.
Map
and directions
b.
Janss Rd at Paige
Ln. There is parking on Paige Ln.
Map
and directions
c.
Scenicpark St. entrance to Sapwi
Trails Community Park.
Map
and directions
d.
Adenida De Los Arboles entrance to Sapwi
Trails Community Park.
Map
and directions
e.
Westlake Blvd entrance to Sapwi Trails Community
Park.
Map
and directions
f.
North end of Grissom St.
Map
and directions
g.
South end of La Granada
Dr. and Crown View Court.
Map
and directions
h.
Conejo Bluff Ct, but there is no parking.
You can park on Conejo School Rd.
Map
and directions
i.
East Hillcrest Dr. There is no
parking here.
Map
and directions
j.
Westlakd Blvd. There is no parking here.
Map
and directions
k.
Lakeview Canyon Rd. Parking is severely restricted here so check the signs.
Map
and directions
l.
Driveway to Westlake High School. No parking on Via Merida.
Map
and directions
m.
Country
Valley Rd. There is no vehicle access here.
Map
and directions
n.
Westlake Village Community
Park and YMCA on Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Map
and directions
o.
Bowfield St. just west of
Rockfield St.
Map
and directions
z.
Conejo Creek Park South and parking.
Map
and directions
y.
Conejo Creek
Park North and parking.
Map
and directions
x.
Westlake High School.
w.
Westlake
Village Community Park and YMCA.
Map
and directions
v.
North Ranch Playfield and parking
on Bowfield St.
Map
and directions
Trails
Download the
GPS tracks
to help you find your way. These GPX files contains tracks for all the trails
in this area:
North Ranch Trails
Sapwi Trails
[1] White
Sage Trail
T1
[1a]
White Sage Edison Road
T1
Description
The White Sage Trail is an Edison Road that
runs from
Sapwi Trail
in the north to the
Hillcrest Ridge Trail
in the south.
It's in good shape and not very steep, with some good views to the west. With the Hillcrest Ridge Trail
(upper trail in the photo at right), it can
make a nice loop route, although Hillcrest Ridge is really steep in spots and
is quite a bit more strenuous.
Connections to the street are via the
Sapwi
Trail
in the north,
Hillcrest Ridge
in the
south, and
Arabian Run
and
Dapple
Gray/La Granada
towards the south end.
1a White Sage Edison Road:
T1
This is a short and quite steep shortcut
that you can use to cut a few hundred feet off your travels if you want to get
from the main section of White Sage to Sapwi Trail.
Technical Rating
T1
Length (miles)
3.3 for White Sage Trail; 0.5 for White Sage Edison
Rd
Climb (feet)
1050 (north to south); 510
Descent (feet)
700; 45
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
This is a fairly complicated elevation profile as it shows four trails and
where they meet. If the lines intersect, the trails meet at that point, except
for the very right end of the White Sage Trail line. Where it crosses the green
Hillcrest Ridge Trail line, the trails don't meet there. Instead, they meet
where the arrows point for "Junction White Sage & Hillcrest Ridge."
On the ground, the Hillcrest Ridge Trail loops around and comes back to the
White Sage Trail, but that can't be represented in the chart. Also, the left
(north) end of the White Sage Edison Rd runs into the White Sage Trail,
and that is shown on the profile by the "Junction White Sage & WS
Edison Rd" label.
[2] Hillcrest
Ridge Trail
T1
T2
T4.5
[2a]
Hillcrest Ridge Cutoff
Description
The Hillcrest Ridge Trail is mostly a broad
trail that runs from south White Sage Trail in the north, touches Hillcrest
Blvd, widens to a dirt road and turns north to loop around to the south
end of White Sage Trail, then becomes a singletrack
T2
that heads west to end at Conejo Bluff Court. As a ridgeline trail, it
is very steep in places, and then extremely steep
T4.5
as
it drops from the south end of the ridge to Hillcrest Blvd. This makes it great
for a conditioning hike or run (see photo at right), but it's too steep for most mountain bikes to climb.
There are great views from the ridge in several places, but very little in the
way of shade, so choose your hiking time carefully. In the spring this ridge
can be covered with mustard and so can be very colorful! The singletrack section
from the south end of White Sage to Conejo Bluff Court is fairly smooth but
a bit steep in places, and is liable to be overgrown with mustard in the spring
T2
To recap, the broad part of the trail from the north end until
Hillcrest Ridge Cuttof rates
T1
the section from there to the top of the steep hill is
T2
and the steep hill itself that leads to Hillcrest Blvd is
T4.5
because it's a little loose and extremely steep. From Hillcrest Blvd so the
south end of White Sage is
T1
and the singletrack from there to Conejo Bluff Court is
T2
2a Hillcrest RIdge Cutoff:
T2
This 1000' double-track-width trail climbs 150' between two parts of the Hillcrest
Ridge Trail, making it quite steep - too steep for most mountain bikers to climb.
Generally the tread is in good shape but there's a little loose gravel on the
top, making it a bit slippery.
Technical Rating
T1
T2
T4.5
Length (miles)
3.8; Hillcrest Ridge Cuttoff is 0.2
Climb (feet)
1000 (North to south); 0
Descent (feet)
1400; 150
The
trail profile
is included with the description of the
White
Sage Trail
above.
[3] Dapple
Gray
T2.5
and La Granada Trails
T2
Description
The
La Granada Trail
is a singletrack
that runs roughly parallel to Conejo School Road, starting at the cul-de-sac
at the north end of Mountain Crest Circle, ending at the fire lane that continues
north of the end of Conejo School Road. The trail then continues along the paved
fire lane until its north end where it becomes La Granada Drive. The tread of
the singletrack is in good shape and it isn't very steep.
T2
The
Dapple Gray Trail
starts at the La Granada Trail
and climbs 0.5 miles to the Hillcrest Ridge Trail. It crosses the White Sage
Trail 0.3 miles from the bottom. The tread is in pretty good shape but it is
quite steep in spots, going straight up the ridgeline as it does. It gets even
steeper after it crosses the White Sage Trail. It gets a more difficult technical
rating than La Granada Trail because of the steepness.
T2.5
Technical Rating
T2.5
T2
Length (miles)
La Granada Trail 0.4; Dapple Gray Trail 0.5
Climb (feet)
100; 385
Descent (feet)
50; zero
The
trail profile
is included with the description of the
White
Sage Trail
above.
[4] Arabian
Run Trail
T2
Description
This trail climbs 150' vertically over 0.2
miles from Crown View Court to the White Sage Trail. The trailhead is a little
difficult to see - it's on the south-east side with no sign to mark it, a little
more than half way up the hill. The tread on this singletrack is pretty firm
but there are some steepish spots.
Technical Rating
T2
Length (miles)
0.2
Climb (feet)
150
Descent (feet)
zero
The
trail profile
is included with the description of the
White
Sage Trail
above.
[5] Glider
Hill Trail
T2.5
[5a]
Glider Hill South
Description
This singletrack starts off from La Granada
Dr. in pretty good shape, but soon becomes a lot rougher. It snakes around the
hillside and then ends at Lone Oak Dr.
Glider Hill South
may be completely
overgrown and impossible to locate - it was in March 2021.
Technical Rating
T2.5
Length (miles)
0.65
Climb (feet)
160 from La Granada Dr. to Lone Oak Dr.
Descent (feet)
220
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
[6] Las
Flores Trail
T0.5
Description
This is an Edison Road that runs underneath
some power lines in an open meadowy area. The trail is very gently sloped and
had a firm surface. It starts at Erbes Rd immediately south of Los Cerritos
Middle School and runs west for just over a half mile where it bumps up against
Avenida De Las Flores. Here it turns south and becomes the Conejo Creek Park
trail that's described next. There are several connections to the neighborhood.
Technical Rating
T0.5
Length (miles)
0.6
Climb (feet)
25 (starting at Erbes Rd and heading west)
Descent (feet)
55
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
[7] Conejo Creek
Park Trail
T0.5
Description
This is a broad decomposed granite or dirt
path that runs between the parking lot and the freeway. It is well separated
from the freeway, but south of Janss Rd it is very noisy. The tread is pretty
even and has a very gentle slope to it. It runs from Las Flores in the
north, across Janss Rd and ends at the bike path next to La Granada Drive.
Technical Rating
T0.5
Length (miles)
1.2
Climb (feet)
20 (heading south from Avenida De Las
Flores)
Descent (feet)
120
The trail profile is combined with that for the
Las
Flores Trail
directly above this description.
[8] Conejo
Creek Park Bike Path
T0
Description
This paved bike path travels for most of
its length along the east edge of the southern park of Conejo Creek Park. It
is generally north-south. In the south it ends at the intersection of Gainsborough
Rd. and Galsworthy St. In the north it ends at Janss Rd. The slope is very gentle
making it a very easy route by bike or on foot.
Technical Rating
T0
Length (miles)
1.25
Climb (feet)
100 (from the south end traveling north)
Descent (feet)
30
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
[9] Sawpi Trail
and Sapwi South Loop
T2
Description
These trails, along with the driveways,
pretty much circumnavigate Sapwi Trails Community Park.
Sapwi
Trails
was originally planned to be a community park with ball fields and
lights for playing at night. However, it was discovered that much of the area
was part of an ancient landslide and was unstable. It would have cost millions
of dollars to stabilize the ground to be safe for ball fields. Instead, the
parks departement decided to keep it mostly natural and add facilities for underrepresented
recreational activities. These include
a disc golf course
bike park
with a pump track and jumps (photo at right)
an area for remote-contol glider planes
running and riding trails
a playground for kids
picnic tables, shade structures and restrooms
Follow the above links to learn more about this park.
The main
Sapwi Trail
travels 1.2 miles from the kids'
playground area on Erbes Rd at the west end to Westlake Blvd towards the north-east.
There is lots of parking at the Erbes end but none at the Westlake Blvd end.
The trail itself is a combination of dirt utility road and singletrack. It crosses
the disc golf course a few times so watch for flying discs!
The
Sapwi South Trai
l climbs 0.4 miles from the main
trail up to the RC plane field. It ends at parking area for the RC plane pilots.
The surface is in generally good condition.
Technical Rating
T2
Length (miles)
1.2 (main trail); 0.4 (south trail
Climb (feet)
200 (west to east); 120
Descent (feet)
100; 40
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
[10] Skelton
Canyon Trail
T2
[10a]
Skelton Ridge Trail
T3.5
Description
The Skelton Canyon trail, just over
a mile long, starts at the west end on Westlake Blvd., climbs the ridge and
descends to Lakeview Canyon Road. There is no immediate parking at either end;
we suggest you park on Santiago St. off of Westlake Blvd. This singletrack trail
is in generally pretty good shape, can be a bit loose and a little overgrown.
It's a bit steep for mountain bikes at the start and end but can be navigated
by strong riders. The photo at the right shows it during a very dry summer.
There are a couple of trees along the way, but there's not much shade.
The
Skelton Ridge Trail
joins the Skelton Canyon
Trail at the latter's highest point. It continues almost straight up the ridge
to the top and down the other side. You can expect it to be very overgrown,
often to the point where it is completely obscured. The photo next to the elevation
profile shows
it during a strong mustard bloom. The mustard was much taller higher up the
hill! In addition, the trail is pretty steep in places. It's not suitable
at all for mountain bikes and is rated
T3.5
because of the overgrowth problem. But if you can find your way, it's a real
adventure!
Technical Rating
T2
Length (miles)
1.1 (Skelton Canyon); 1.3 (Skelton Ridge)
Climb (feet)
250; 350
Descent (feet)
220; 400
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
[11] Windmill Canyon
Trail
T2
Description
This
is a very pretty trail that follows along the creek on the other side from Via
Merida. There is no access from this road; you get to the bottom from Westlake
High School. (Via Merida is blocked about a half mile north of Thousand Oaks
Blvd, becoming County Valley Road on the north side of the gate.) From Westlake
High, the trail runs through a meadow parallel to the stream, just above the
oak trees the grow next to the stream. Near the north end, the trail drops down
closer to the stream and goes underneath the oak canopy. The trail has a very
gentle slope and is in very good shape - it has a firm tread with no ruts. It's
a great trail for a very pleasant stroll! At the north end, the
Saddle
Pass Trail
continues up the steep slope on the other side of County Valley
Road.
Technical Rating
T2
Length (miles)
0.6
Climb (feet)
90
Descent (feet)
30
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
[12] Saddle
Pass Trail
T2.5
T3
T5
Description
The
Saddle Pass Trails starts at the south end at County Valley Road across the
street from the Windmill Trail. It climbs up, quite steeply in places, ending
2.4 miles later near the top of a hill with views in every direction. The closest
parking is about 500' from the trailhead at the north end of Via Merida. The
trail starts off quite steep and narrow until you get past a few very tight
switchbacks whereupon it widens out. However, it continues up steeply and often
has a rut down the middle. Otherwise the tread is pretty firm and the trail
is a good width. It gets it's slightly higher technical rating of
T2.5
because
of the steepness.
About 0.8 miles from the start, the trail forks and continues
to the southeast. The well-used trail to the northwest climbs to the top of
the nearby hill to a spot with a great view all around. But continuing on the
mail trail to the southeast, it again forks about 350' further on. This time
the main trail takes a sharp bend to the northwest (the other direction will
take you to the top of the
Aqiwo Trail
). Another
fork to the right about 1.4 miles from the start leads to the top of another
hill and more outstanding views. This section of the trail has some exposure
and the trail is off-camber so it rates
T3
here. The last fork is 1.8 miles from the start. To the right (southeast)
is the Bowfield Trail while the Saddle Pass Trails continues straight north
and up an extremely steep
T5
hill. Be prepared for a real workout!
Looking at the elevation profile below you can see that much
of the trail isn't very steep. Those sections rate
T1.5
There are no trees anywhere along the trail and so no shade.
It gets very hot here during the warmer months so prepare accordingly.
Technical Rating
T2.5
T3
T5
Length (miles)
2.4 to the end; 1.8 only to the Bowfield Trail
Climb (feet)
900; 650
Descent (feet)
420; 300
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
[13] Bowfield Trail
T2
Description
This short trail connects the Saddle Pass
Trail to Rockfield Street. Across the street is the North Ranch Playfield and
the start of the dirt path of the
Lindero Creek Trail
From Rockfield St., it starts as a dirt path for 200 yards on the south side
of Bowfield St, then climbs with a moderate slope up to Saddle Pass Trail. The
tread is generally firm but may be a little rutted.
Technical Rating
T2
Length (miles)
0.6
Climb (feet)
340
Descent (feet)
Zero
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
[14] Wishbone
Trail
T2
[14a]
Aqiwo Trail (AKA Wishbone Connector)
Description
The Wishbone Trail is one of the newest trails in the
Conejo Valley. Construction was started in the spring of 2018 and was completed
about a year later after quite a number of volunteer events. It climbs towards
the north-east from the very west end of the Westlake Village Community Park,
loops around at the highest point and then comes down on the opposite side of
the steep valley. The bottom ends are joined by a dirt path around the ballfields.
It connects to the Saddle Pass Trail by way of a the Aqiwo Trail, a distance of 0.4 miles. (The Aqiwo
Trail continues south
and ends at a hill that overlooks the Community Park. This trail was
formally
named in May 2022
- "Aqiwo" means "Star" in the Chumash
language.) There is no shade on either trail so
it will be hot in the summer, but there could be lots of flowers in the spring,
including mustard and other weeds that can choke the trail.
The Wishbone Trail is a bit steep for most mountain bikers to enjoy
climbing.
Technical Rating
T2
Length (miles)
1.8; 0.4 miles from Wishbone to Saddle Pass Trail
on Aqiwo
Climb (feet)
520; 150 to get to the Saddle Pass Trail
Descent (feet)
500; 70 to get to the Saddle Pass Trail
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
(climbing the northwest arm and descending the southeast arm):
[15] Lindero
Creek Trail
T1
T2
Description
This
short but beautiful trail is a hidden gem near the northeast corner of Thousand
Oaks. There are two parts - in the south it is a decomposed granite (DG)
path on the south and east side of the North Ranch Playfield. Crossing Bowfield
St., it becomes a traditional trail that snakes through a beautiful stand of
oak trees alongside Lindero Creek, crossing it a few times. Continuing
north, it crosses Lakeview Canyon Rd., then goes through a tunnel under Kanan
Rd. This tunnel is pitch black and is dangerous to traverse without a light
because the surface is very uneven and could be full of debris and water.
There are temporary bridges across the stream but they
could be removed in advance of stormy weather.
Technical Rating
T1
T2
Length (miles)
0.9
Climb (feet)
80, south to north
Descent (feet)
50
Trail Profile
Back to
the Top
This page was last updated May 23, 2022.
Thanks for looking at Steve's guide to trails
in Ventura County, the
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation
Area
(SMMNRA) and other locations.