Our route begins on Trailer Canyon fire road providing broad views over Santa Ynez Canyon and the surrounding mountains. But like nature and vacuums, we abhor fire roads. Thus, shortly after the hike begins we will leave the fire road and take a small, slightly overgrown use trail that passes a clay gully and crosses a lush ridge up to the Temescal Ridge trail. We’ll return along the fire road making a loop in the canyon.
Along the way don’t forget to check out an old quarry marked by a single out of place palm tree juxtaposed against the indigenous chaparral.
We’ll soon meet up with Temescal Ridge trail and head over to Temescal Lookout
We’ll find some comfy spots among the ruins of an old ranger station/fire lookout and have our snack break. Our destination awaits us!
DIRECTIONS
From Sunset Boulevard, half a mile east of PCH, head north on Palisades Drive. After 2.4 miles. Turn left onto Vereda de la Montura, (the same turnoff for the trailhead for hikes in Santa Ynez Canyon and Santa Ynez Falls) and make an immediate right on Michael Lane. Drive half a mile to the trailhead, which will be on the left (look for what looks like a private driveway). There is street parking available on Michael Lane.
