A view up Santa Paula Canyon of another of my favorite mountains, Hines Peak.
18 MARCH 2021 W6/SC-452
In trying to complete all the Santa Monica Mountains and summits adjacent, I set my sights on an unnamed elevation that I have never visited, Peak 1,370 out in the Conejo Valley.
The start of this hike is a little funny because you can’t park near the obvious closest roadhead at Via Bonita and Rancho Dos Vientos Drive. There is parking at Via Ricardo and Rancho Dos Vientos Drive.
The hike is about 1.5 miles with about 450 feet of elevation gain. Both Peak 1,370 and Conejo Mountain are outside the Dos Vientos Open Space and are on private property. Southern California Edison has posted NO TRESPASSING signs at the second gate where, technically, the private property begins.
I got to the summit about sunrise. There was a small, flat area to set up the station and a Toyon bush to tie the mast to. I made 12 contacts including Chris F4WBN in France and Lars SA4BLM in Sweden – a SOTA first for me. I had one summit-to-summit with David N6AN over on Flint Peak. That was the closest in the skip went. Nobody else in California and nobody on UHF/VHF FM. Regulars Gary and Martha (W0MNA and W0ERI) checked in along with Eric N0WAE in Montana. I also heard from Gary K6TCU in Pennsylvania among others who are fast becoming regular chasers. Thank you all.
On the way down I took another route by the “Two Ponds” on the map. Both were drained I suspect because of the avian salmonellosis. It is recommended to empty birdbaths and feeders until May.
KG6MZS 