Near Horn Canyon Trail
Singletrack along upper Horn Canyon

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Horn Canyon Trail

4.0 (3 Ratings)
A sustained climb along a creek with patches of shade
9.9
mi
Distance
3,858
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Commonly BackpackedFamily FriendlyHistoricalRiver/CreekViewsWaterfall
Access Issues
Check for local fire restrictions.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
9.89mi
Distance
3,858ft
Elevation Gain
3,858ft
Elevation Loss
65%
Max Grade
5,271ft
High Point
1,450ft
Low Point
Path Type
There and Back
Description
From the trailhead, head northeast on Horn Canyon Trail on a wide dirt path. In about 0.5 mile the trail narrows. At about 0.7 miles, hikers enter Los Padres National Forest. The trail crosses Thatcher Creek several times; just before the fourth crossing (about one mile up the trail) hikers can opt to follow a faint path up the creek, which leads to nice cascades and pools (not mapped). This makes for a great resting place, or for a shorter hike, is an excellent spot to turn around. If continuing on up the trail, head back to and follow the main trail. At about 2.6 miles, hikers will reach The Pines, a former pine tree plantation that was replanted with seedlings by students of the Thatcher School after fires in mid-1900s burned them. Though most trees survived the Wheeler Fire of 1985, many of them did not fair the drought in the 2010's. The Pines is a now a trail camp and makes for a great rest stop, campsite, or spot to turn around for a shorter hike. Beyond The Pines, the trail continues climbing, crossing Sisar Canyon Road before ending at Nordhoff Ridge Road.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

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Contributors
John McKinney