Triumphant in Triunfo

Hike Among Wildflowers at Triunfo Creek Park near Thousand Oaks

Hikers by the reservoir at Triunfo Creek Park near Thousand Oaks

Where can you find a hike with thousands of wildflower blooms without thousands of people? Head to quaint Westlake Village near Thousand Oaks to find a 2-mile loop (with options for more) through 600-acre Triunfo Creek Park. Enjoy serene vistas of a peaceful reservoir, charming meadows, and those beautiful spring blooms.

Hikers on a trail at Triunfo Creek Park near Thousand Oaks

A hiker takes pictures of California Poppy at Triunfo Creek Park near Thousand Oaks

A hiker smiling at the camera on a trail with mountains in the background at Triunfo Creek Park in Southern California

Park at the terminus of Triunfo Canyon Road (just after passing the eponymous Westlake Lake, which is worth a post-hike visit), where you’ll find plenty of street spots and the Pentachaeta trailhead, which is named after the array of Lyon’s pentachaeta, an endangered yellow daisy-like flower found throughout the park (look for an interpretive sign to read more about this rare SoCal gem). Head on the right path, which is known as the Westlake Vista Trail, to start your flower hour.

After passing under an oak (the trail does not in fact have thousands of oaks, so enjoy the little shade you can!), you’ll immediately be rewarded with your first flower power—an incredibly dense grove of bright yellow mustard plant blooms, followed quickly by the famous orange petals of California poppies. You then start a rather steep ascent (ignore all junctions and stay right) gaining 500 feet over the next mile or so. Keep an eye out for the white petals of island morning glories and orange-yellow Scotch broom flanking the trail.

A hiker heading towards Las Virgenes Reservoir at Triunfo Creek Park near Thousand Oaks

You’ll soon reach a plateau and a peaceful meadow loop, featuring up-close views of the Las Virgenes Reservoir. The water vistas get better as you continue to climb up the rocky slopes. There are plenty of wildflowers to spy here: the pale orange blooms of sticky monkey-flowers, pink tubular flowers radiating from stems of obedient plants, the delicate purples of elegant clarkia, and the even daintier pink cup-like petals of bush mallow. Our local favorite is the wooly blue curls; their dense blue clusters are both furry and fragrant.

After the 1.3-mile mark, find a trail heading north down the hills that deposits you at the trailhead. If you’ve brought your poles, good boots, and a desire for more mileage, you can continue east to complete the Pentachaeta Loop (caution—the steep descents are slippery from the rocks), where you’ll find more bright bloomage, such as chocolate and white globe lilies.

Either way, it’s a floral triumph in Triunfo!

To get to the Pentachaeta trailhead in Triunfo Creek Park, take the US-101 to the Lindero Canyon Rd. exit and head south. After 2 miles, turn left onto Triunfo Canyon Rd., where you’ll immediately find parking and the trailhead. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Matt Pawlik, @mattitudehikes

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View