Victory Trailhead - Woodland Hills (Brent Shano)

Reviewed by:

Brent Shano, Medical Magnet Science Teacher at The Van Nuys High School.

Location:

Victory Blvd, Calabasas, Ca, 91302

(Despite saying "Calabasas" I find that this location geographically is more closely related to Woodland Hills in terms of zip code and relative location.)

Directions:

From the 118 Freeway Exit Topanga and head South to Victory Blvd. Make a right and take it all the way up. It will dead end at the trail head. Find parking on the near by streets.

From the 101 Freeway Exit Topanga and head North to Victory Blvd. Make a left and take it all the way up. It will dead end at the trail head. Find parking on the near by streets.

GPS coordinates: 34.18503884331309, -118.66766452789307

Google Map of Victory Traihead

Description:

This field trip is meant to be used as an encouraged place to visit and conduct a physical exercise routine for purposes included but not limited to: cardio exercise, hill training, heart rate monitoring, step counting, miles walked/ran, etc. This specific location is spacious and beautiful. In today's world of fitness it seems like the only place to get a good workout is in a gym or on a treadmill in your garage. With all the modifications of the environment at a push of a button we have lost the connection to nature and perhaps what running up and actual hill looks like. Sure, we all have busy lives but for the locals of the San Fernando Valley this location could be a great place to clear your head, bring your family on a scenic walk, or like me conduct a brutal workout. With the vast hills and sparingly short trees you can see for miles its scenic beauty. After rains the trail-head can be bursting with vivacious green bushes or after a hot summer be the last place you'd want to be if it caught fire. The natural chaparral lends to seeing a variety of animals from deer to snakes but since it is so heavily populated by people on the trails on a daily basis often the critters both big and small alike keep to themselves off the main roads.

The trail-head and all the roads and paths wherein are owned and managed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy was established by the California State Legislature in 1980. Since that time, it has helped to preserve over 72,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings, and has improved more than 114 public recreational facilities throughout Southern California.Through direct action, alliances, partnerships, and joint powers authorities, the Conservancy's mission is to strategically buy back, preserve, protect, restore, and enhance treasured pieces of Southern California to form an interlinking system of urban, rural and river parks, open space, trails, and wildlife habitats that are easily accessible to the general public.

Audience:

Although an environmental science teacher would love to go on this trip to find and discuss the various biotic and abiotic factors that can be found in the chaparral, that would not be my intended use. A health teacher or fitness coach/teacher could take their team up to this location to train. There are steep hills, long stretches and a variety of terrain that zig and zag throughout natures beauty to get a good workout in. There is enough space to bring implements such as kettle-bells, or dumbbells to add to the variations. In a city like Van Nuys for instance, the city where I teach, there is no "vast" nature that can be seen like that of Woodland Hills. By taking a trip and conducting a team workout, or encouraging the student-athletes to go on their own and put themselves through your desired workout using nature as the natural battleground a lot can be accomplished.

Science Concepts Addressed:

Heart rate: Students can track heart rate and compare their measurements from flat level running vs. incline running.
Calories burnt: Using the aid of a "FitBit" or other aftermarket products one can track their calories burned at different stations and settings of the park.
Steps: One can use a "Pedometer," "pedometer app", or once again a "FitBit" to track their step and convert into miles or kilometers.
Interval Training: One can set up intervals for set distances and track their times accordingly to see their rate of decline.
High Intensity Interval Training: One can up the anti by bringing implements such as a heavy bag and carry that bag up a hill at an all out sprint for a short duration of time. Then rest for a period of no more than a minute before attacking the hill yet again for a shorter specified time.

Study Guide: