 | WHERE: La Panza, east of Santa Margarita. |
| WHO SHOULD GO: Hikers, backpackers, cyclists
and equestrians. |
| HIGHLIGHTS: A beautiful and rugged area with
live oaks, pine forests, manzanita and mandrone. This is a favorable
environment for the California Condor, wild boar and wild turkey. A
herd of feral horses roams the Black Mountain Range. |
| HOW TO GET THERE: Hwy 101 to Highway 58, the
Santa Margarita exit. Follow highway 58, crossing the railroad tracks
follow the signs leading to McKittrick and Shandon. At the
Shandon turnoff, remain on Carrisa Highway heading east toward California Valley.
After about 20 miles, a right turn leads into the National Forest
Recreational Area on Navajo Road. |
| WHERE TO PARK: Several turnouts are
available for parking. Navajo Flats is approximately 2 miles and is a
large, flat area. Good for horse trails and horse rigs. |
| TRAIL CHARACTER and DISTANCE: A 15 mile loop
may be created using Hernandez Road No. 28SO2, the Fernandez Trail, McGinnis
Creek, Black Mountain Grade and Navajo Grade. Mostly dirt roads with
easy to moderate climbs are on this loop. An extra 3 miles of view of
the whole county. On a clear day you may see the vastness of the San
Joaquin Valley. A water trough for livestock is available at Navajo
Camp and sometimes at Friis Camp. Spring is a beautiful time to enjoy
this area; summer can be hot. |
| CAUTION: If you plan on camping you'll need
a permit, obtainable at any Los Padres National Forest Office. This is
a multi-use area. Motorcycles and off-road vehicles may be on the
roads. The roads are wide enough and side trails are available
to allow multi-use with no problem. |
