Easy Lake Eleanor Open Space Hike

Easy 2½ mile round trip hike with a total elevation gain/loss of about 400 feet. This hike has some great views of lakes and mountains, and during the spring, it’s a wonderful place to see an abundance of wildflowers.

How to get there: From Westlake Blvd., head southeast on Triunfo Canyon Rd. 0.6 miles and turn right on Highgate Rd. Continue about a half mile to the end of Highgate and park at the curb.

Map of This Hike

Detailed Hike Description & Photos:

		A fence across Highgate Road blocks vehicle traffic beyond this point. On the left side of the fence there is a pedestrian step-over and COSCA trail sign . . .
		. . . but the trail actually begins on the right side of the road a short distance beyond the fence.
		Follow the trail up the gentle slope and into the open space.
		The trail is a bit rocky in a few places, but the footing is generally good. Although this is not an expansive open space area, the scenery is outstanding.
		About a half mile into the hike, a short trail to the right leads to a scenic overlook – a pleasant place to pause and enjoy the views of Thousand Oaks to the northwest, and the Santa Monica Mountains to the south.
		In the springtime an incredible assortment of wildflowers bloom along many portions of the trail. Wildflowers in this area may include prickly phlox, caterpillar phacelia, stinging lupine, chocolate lilies, blue dick, popcorn flowers, owl’s clover, goldfields, miner’s lettuce, ground pink, california buckwheat, california poppys, fiddleneck, wild cucumber, deer weed, purple nightshade, and many more.
		Nearby lakes can be seen from the trail. The prominent lake to the southeast is Las Virgenes Reservoir . . .
		. . . and the smaller lake to the west is Lake Eleanor.
		The trail terminates at a residential area at Denver Springs Drive. Reverse direction to return to Highgate Road by way of the same trail.