Hiking Trail Guide: Hidden Pond Loop

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Hidden Pond Loop

Distance
9 miles

Elevation
1100 feet gain

Difficulty
5/10

City
Newbury Park ,CA (91319) 41.11 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From Highway 101/Ventura Freeway in Newbury Park, exit on Wendy Drive. Drive 2.7 mikes south to Potrero Road and turn right. Continue one mile, bearing left on Reino road, to the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa State park on the left side of the road.

Description

This is a pleasant hike to a small pond high above Big Sycamore Canyon. I enjoyed the views of the mountains, valleys, and many wildflowers, but in general found the hike somewhat uninspiring. I did this hike during the midst of a drought (May 2002) and there was almost no water in the hidden pond. I probably would have rated this hike higher had the grass been green and the pond overflowing! Note that the hike has very little shade, so bring lots of water if you hike it in the summer.

From the parking lot, follow Big Sycamore Canyon towards the beach. Just past the bridge as the canyon road levels out, bear right on Hidden Pond Trail. The trail first parallels Big sycamore canyon, then the Ranch Center road. About 2.5 miles from the bridge you will come upon Hidden Pond. Continue past Hidden Pond to a point where the trail intersects Ranch Center Road and bear left. Stay on Ranch Center Road until it intersects Big Sycamore Canyon road and bear left back to your car.

Map / Directions: