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A challenging loop in the Conejo Open Space with amazing views.


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Map Key

10.2

Miles

16.4

KM

Loop

2,183' 665 m

High

1,073' 327 m

Low

2,013' 614 m

Up

2,010' 613 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers

Overview

This route starts in Lang Ranch, a beautiful community in Thousand Oaks and climbs and drops down into Oak Park, another beautiful community. The trail is part fire road, part singletrack and a tiny bit of street. You'll get to experience amazing views of the Thousand Oaks area all along the 10 mile loop. It is challenging with super steep climbs, but the views and the fun singletrack make it work it!

Need to Know

Plenty of street parking. There is a very clean bathroom at the park and a water fountain. Covered picnic benches to relax after your outing.

Description

This route starts at Lang Ranch Park and you are on the street for a 1/4 mile before you access the trail on Oakbrook Vista Trail which starts as a very steep, singletrack climb. You'll continue to have rolling climbs for the next few miles as Oakbrook Vista Trail turns into the Sandstone Hills Trail before you descend on a super fun singletrack down into Oak Park.

At this point, it becomes a bit of an adventure as you need to climb a rain gutter up and over to Dumaine Ave - go left on the street to Lafitte Dr. where you make a right to Lindero Canyon - left on LIndero Canyon to King James Ct. Make a left on King James Ct and go to the end of the street where you'll access the trailhead of the China Flat Trail, also known as Dead Cow.

This is not for the faint of heart as it is super steep and technical and is a little over 1 mile. Once at the top, stop to enjoy the views of Oak Park and beyond. Continue on China Flat Trail to Albertson Fire Road. From this point you are about 3 miles back to the park and it is mostly downhill with a few short climbs. You'll come out of the trail onto Lang Ranch Parkway - just stay straight and continue back to the park. The park has restrooms and picnic tables which make it nice to relax and chill after a fun, challenging outing.

History & Background

If you ask the locals here, they'll tell you Dead Cow trail was named after the purpose of its origin. Early ranchers used this trail to haul deceased cattle from the mountain top to lower ground.

Contacts

Shared By:

Janna Williams

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 5 votes

#2946

Overall
  4.4 from 5 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#403

in California

#2,946

Overall
8 Views Last Month
1,884 Since Feb 15, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

View from the top of the first climb.
Feb 15, 2016 near Oak Park, CA
The trail in this part of the canyon offers a variety of views, vegetation, and rock formations.
Jun 2, 2018 near Oak Park, CA
The trail in this part of the canyon offers a variety of views, vegetation, and rock formations.
Jun 2, 2018 near Oak Park, CA
Two miles from the Lang Ranch neighborhood is a great place to enjoy the view looking west.
Jun 2, 2018 near Oak Park, CA
Trail meanders through oak groves
Jun 2, 2018 near Oak Park, CA
Grove of oaks in China Flat. This was a very peaceful place.
Jun 2, 2018 near Oak Park, CA

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