Hummingbird Trail

I love this trail. Watch for friendly mountain bikers. There are shorter and steeper alternative routes for many of the windier stretches. These are the routes the bicycles go down to challenge themselves more. You will likely have to step aside for them at some point for the shared stretches. I’ve seen many snakes. One huge rattler. I usually skip this trail during summer for that reason. But it’s great exercise.

This is a great beginner-​intermediate trail located near Simi Valley. It’s about 5miles in length round trip, with 1000ft of elevation gained, and it takes about 2.5−3hr on average to complete. A really nice hike for a large group because it has great scenery and will accommodate most hiking levels. Dogs allowed on a leash too! On a summer day it can get pretty hot because there’s no shade, but on a cooler/​windy day the temperature should be good for you assuming you go with layers.
When you drive up, the parking lot has been reduced to a stretch of grass that fits about 10 – 12 cars. Try to carpool! You’ll have to drive up over the curb and park by the fence. There’s construction going on, so that’s the state of things for now. Make sure you throw out trash and use the bathroom beforehand because there aren’t any trash bins or bathrooms on the trail.
The first half a mile or so you will move up a grassy knoll interspersed with some nice rock formations. As you go up you’ll notice a nice view of Simi Valley. About 1 mile in you will reach a steeper rocky incline where you start to see some of the more dramatic geological changes including smaller caves. Keep going up! When you get to 1.5 mile or so you’ll see a marker showing you the way to Rocky Trail. Keep going to the right though, passing more boulders and outcroppings. At the 2.25 mile marker you find the main cave. This is really a beautiful cave, open at the base, but you can climb up inside and out to the upper right where you’ll see even more views. There’s plenty of room and seating inside, even for out party of 25, we could all sit comfortably and eat our lunch. Make sure to check out the holes that have formed in the walls of the caves. Not sure if it’s from wind or birds, but it makes some interesting pattterns. You may also see a few bird nests inside the caves. The return trip is basically the same, although there are a few different paths and if you wander a bit you will see different rock formations and caves the more you explore.
5 stars for me! I think this is a terrific hike and I definitely recommend it! Great scenery, nice and short, neither too easy nor too difficult and a great way to spend your afternoon. Go outside and play!

— Length: 2.5 miles each way (5 miles RT)
— Lots of rocky incline, hiking boots + trekking poles are highly recommended.
— No shade: lather on the sunblock generously, don’t forget your lips!
— No bathroom @ trail head… prepare to pop a squat or go to the Mobil right off the 118 to use their bathroom (need to ask gas attendant for a key).
— Dirt lot for easy, free parking
My biggest issue with this trail is how poorly marked the 1^st mile is. We got so incredibly lost and there were so many forks on the trail, no clue where to turn. So definitely factor in enough time to explore… we were lucky that there was so much sunlight during this time of year so we weren’t chasing the sun to get back to the trail head. Once you hit the 1^st mile marker (if you can find it!), the trail gets marked much better (follow the pink arrow on the ground; signs for 1.5 miles & 2 miles are marked clearly, and you’ll know you are at the end of the trail when it intersects with the Rocky Peak trail).
How to know if you are lost: if you keep seeing/​hearing the 118. After the 1^st mile or so, the 118 should be hidden from view (until you hit the end of the trail).
The views are okay, nothing spectacular. We spotted a fairly large snake chillin’ on the trail. Lots of bugs. Pretty wildflowers during this time of year. I chalk it up as a workout hike more than anything.
Getting there: exit off the 118 on Kuehner Dr. (coming from 118E, make a left; 118 W, make a right) and you should see a dirt lot.