 | WHERE: The Santa Lucia Wilderness. |
| WHO SHOULD GO: Hikers, backpackers and
equestrians. |
| HIGHLIGHTS: A wonderful trail that allows
for year round exposure to the wilderness. |
| HOW TO GET THERE: Hwy 101 to Highway 58, the
Santa Margraita exit. Follow highway 58, crossing the railroad tracks
until Pozo Road is reached. Take the right fork, Pozo Road.
Proceed east approximately 9.8 miles until you see a trailhead sign and
silver mailbox that reads "Rinconada Mine." Turn into
the driveway and proceed to gravel area. |
| WHERE TO PARK: The empty parking area is
large enough to turn a horse trailer. If the lot is full, maneuvering
may be difficult. When parking, remember others may pull in, so park
accordingly |
| TRAIL CHARACTER and DISTANCE: The first 1.5 miles
is an inviting, twisty climbing trail with good footing. A very rocky
old mine allows descent into a lovely small meadow with a livestock drinking
trough to the east. At two miles the trail drops onto Hi Mountain
Road. Proceed west to the Little Falls Trailhead. The narrow
trail descends 2.6 mile to Lopez Canyon. The river on the floor of the
canyon runs all year and is a delight. Returning on the same trail
creates an excellent, modest climb to the top, with its terrific view of the
lake and the canyon. |
| CAUTION: Poison oak is abundant. The trail
into the canyon is within the Santa Lucia Wilderness with Wilderness
regulations which are posted on the Trailhead bulletin board.
|
