Hidden Hills to Oak Tree

NOTE: Hike does not start at normal Orchard Creek Lodge starting point. We will meet at the trail heads for the Northeast Preserve and Canyon Oaks trails in Sun City Lincoln Hills. Park near (north of) the intersection of Hidden Hills Lane and Monument Drive. The trail heads are two blocks off (north) of Stoneridge Blvd. and Monument Drive.

DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate.

ELEVATION GAIN: 250 +/- feet of elevation gain.

HIKE DISTANCE: 6.5 +/- miles total, Semi-loop hike. We will be walking on streets and trails that are in Sun City Lincoln Hills for the most part. We retrace some of the route, but for the most part we will follow separate trails or streets.

DIRECTIONS: Hike meeting place is near the trail heads for the Northeast Preserve and Canyon Oaks trails on Hidden Hills Lane near (a block north of) the intersection of Hidden Hills Lane and Monument Drive.

HIKE ROUTE: We will start on Monument Drive at the Northeast Preserve Trail head on Hidden Hills Drive.

Start Route: We proceed south down Hidden Hills Lane from the Northeast Preserve Trail head to Monument Lane and turn right. From there we will walk through Villages 19 B & A to Sun City Lane and on to the Kilaga Springs Lodge. At the Kilaga Springs Lodge, we will continue down Stags Leap through Villages 42A, 43A and 42B to the trail head for the Ferrari Ranch Trail head on Haywagon Court. We will then take the Ferrari Ranch Trail south to Topanga Lane and proceed through Villages 43C and 44 (Condos) to Oak Tree Lane. On Oak Tree Lane, we walk by the site of a decommissioned Titan Missile base and the sites of two upcoming commercial and residential developments that are in the planning process adjacent to Sun City Lincoln Hills. We will also stop for a snack or lunch in this area.

Return Route: The return route will start through the parking lot of St. Joseph Church and continue through Village 41A to Sun City Blvd.. From there, we walk to Crocker Lane and turn right. The route back to our cars takes us through Village 40, past Stone House Park, left on Andover Lane and on to the Northeast Preserve Trail.

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE: Starting point is within Sun City Lincoln Hills. You will need to make your own arrangements to get to the starting trail head.

HIKE LEADER/SWEEP: Leader: Jim Fisher. Sweep: Denny Fisher.

Questions: Call Denny Fisher at (916) 505-4948

SPECIAL NOTES:

A. NO FACILITIES: There are only two rest rooms along the route. The Kilaga Springs Lodge is about 1.5 miles into the walk. The gym bathrooms are usually open to accommodate Spa customers. Who knows, the Lodge might be fully open by the time of this walk. There is also a restroom on the golf course near the intersection of Snapdragon Place and Orchid Lane about 5 miles into the hike. There are a few spots along Oak Tree Lane for Mother Nature breaks.

B. FOOD AND WATER: Bring water and a snack or lunch. We will stop for a snack or lunch break about midway through the hike.

C. HEALTH ISSUES: If you have health issues, please consider your condition before hiking.

1) Sturdy boots or walking shoes are recommended. Hiking poles are likely not necessary, but bring them if you wish. We will be walking on paved trails and sidewalks mostly within Sun City Lincoln Hills. The only exception is Oak Trail which is paved and essentially flat. There may be a few short stretches of dirt paths in the area of Oak Tree Lane depending on where you choose to explore. Bring layered clothing. You might want to wear long pants and long sleeved shirts because it may be cold. There should be no concerns about poison oak along the trails or sidewalks.

2) Bring a copy of your ID (Drivers License), health card, and emergency contact name and phone number with you on the hike.

3) If you are riding to the trail head in someone else’s car, always bring an extra pair of shoes with a plastic bag to store your muddy/dusty shoes after the hike. Do not get your driver’s car dirty by wearing your dirty shoes home.

4) Bring snacks, lunch, sun screen, hat and water and Good & Plenty candy and a Payday candy bar for the hike leader and sweep so they can make the entire hike.

F. RAIN CANCELLATION: Heavy rain the day of the hike, cancels hike. Rain the night before does not cancel hike. The route is a mix of paved trails and sidewalks that drain pretty well.

MEETING TIME: 8:45 AM, LEAVING TIME: 9:00 AM, RETURN BY 1:00 pm. Remember - - we are meeting at the trail heads for the Northeast Preserve and Canyon Oaks trails on Hidden Hills Lane near (north of) the intersection of Hidden Hills Lane and Monument Drive. The trail heads are two blocks off (north) of Stoneridge Blvd. and Monument Drive.