Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

Lake Eleanor Open Space

• Location: Westlake Village.  From highway 101, take the Westlake Blvd. (Highway 23) exit south.  Go a mile and take a left on Triunfo Canyon Road.  Go 0.6 miles and take a right on Highgate.  Drive half a mile to the end of of Highgate, right before a gate blocks further progress.  Park on the street.
• Agency: Conejo Open Space Foundation
• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Elevation gain: 400 feet
• Difficulty Rating: PG
• Suggested time: 1.5 hours
• Best season: October – May
• USGS topo map: “Thousand Oaks”
• More information: here
• Rating: 5

This enjoyable hike starts in a residential neighborhood and visits a good variety of scenery in a short distance.  Small Lake Eleanor can be seen to the west, and wide views of the Thousand Oaks metro area spread out to the north.  The trail also takes in some interesting geology typical of the western Santa Monica Mountains.

From the end of Highgate, walk around the fence and immediately turn right on an unsigned single-track trail.  (If you reach the second gate, you’ve come too far).  The trail U-turns and starts heading uphill.  Stay left at a junction (the right fork is a spur that leads to another residential street) and you soon reach a crest, where you get nice views of the Las Virgenes reservoir.

Here, the trail descends and follows a ridge, heading south toward the Santa Monica Mountains. You come to a series of splits, all of which soon merge shortly.  The right (west) routes tend to involve a little more climbing, and also provide better views of Lake Eleanor.  After 1.2 miles, the trail reaches the end of Denver Springs Drive, your turnaround point.