| Statistics: |
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| Difficulty: 3
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Route Finding: 2
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| Distance One Way
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2.13
miles |
| Trailhead Elev
915 feet |
Elev Gain 812 feet |
| Avg Time One Way
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45 minutes |
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| Waypoints: |
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| Trailhead |
N 34° 08.646 W 118° 51.463
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White Horse Cut
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N 34° 09.171 W 118° 51.766
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Los Robles Trail South Ridgeline
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N 34° 09.325 W 118° 51.765
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White Horse Cut
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N 34° 09.249 W 118° 51.907
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White Horse to Los Robles South Cut
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N 34° 09.453 W 118° 51.987
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Los Robles Trail East
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N 34° 09.611 W 118° 52.081
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Trailhead/End of trail
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N 34° 09.611 W 118° 52.081
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Topographic Route Map |
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Elevation Profile |
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By Scott Legal
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The name of the trail serves as fair warning that you may find yourself sharing the trail with horses. The southeastern trailhead is across the street from the Foxfield riding stables. Remember, horses get the right of way. If you fail to yield the right of way the horse may kick you. At the very least a kick from a horse will ruin your day.
The trailhead begins between two bridges at Potrero Road and drops down into Triunfo Creek. If the winter rains are normal or above normal there will be water in the creek and you will get wet. Don’t attempt to cross right after a storm or it may be the last thing you ever do. After crossing the creek the trail heads up along the south side of an upscale neighborhood. This was the first of four adjacent canyons to fall to development. Fortunately, the trail rises quickly away from the homes. After about a half mile of climbing the trail reaches a junction with a trail that provides utility crews access to high tension towers to the south. The White Horse Trail heads off to the right. The trail finally tops out at about the 1,360 foot elevation before heading down a short and steep section.
Near the bottom of the short and steep section there is a junction with an equestrian shortcut trail. This trail rejoins the White Horse Trail approximately four-tenths of a mile ahead. There is a very steep downhill section that can be bypassed by taking this shortcut. Remaining on the main trail the trail then heads up a shorter yet steep uphill. Just past the top of this uphill is a junction with the Bridgegate Trail. The trail then makes another short, steep drop and climb before reaching a junction with the Los Robles South Ridgeline trailhead. The trail bears off to the left a short distance before heading down what is best described as a nasty section of trail. The trail heads down a long, straight, rocky and steep section that is badly eroded. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, this section can be avoided by taking the equestrian shortcut that rejoins the White Horse Trail near the bottom of the steepest section of trail.
After passing the shortcut the trail continues downhill, but at a gentler grade. After hugging the side of the hill for another quarter mile or so the trail bottoms out in a small seasonal wash. It is worth pointing out that this is the place that I saw the longest rattlesnake I’ve ever seen. It was such a sight that I remember that I saw the snake on February 4, 1984. The date acts as a helpful reminder that snakes do not hibernate in Thousand Oaks. There is a chance you’ll see one any time of the year, even on cold days. I estimate that this snake was eight feet in length because approximately a foot plus of the snake’s front and back ends were off the trail as it lay straight across the fire road. It was truly a breathtaking sight. Continuing on for about a tenth of a mile you will reach a junction with a shortcut trail to the right that heads up to the Los Robles South Ridgeline.
From here on out the trail heads uphill. Initially the uphill is moderate and straight. The trail then crosses another seasonal wash and heads up a steep, winding and badly eroded section. The trail then ends at the Los Robles Trail.
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A wide angle view of the initial hill |
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This steep hill can be avoided by taking the short cut trail |
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Heading down into the canyon |
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