Trail Update Sisar Canyon Road / Red Reef Trl-Road & trail in good condition. 390.17 m Down, 3.9 mi Several gallons/min. Ladybug Spring is about 600 feet south (uphill) from the camp and has year-round water. (note the topa topa access trail is a mess though)ÂÂ, Our goal was to scout the Red Reef trail from the Sespe to Horsethief.  We did not make it that far as we spent a lot of time removing trees laying across the trail.  The scouting trip ended at location point 3 on the map where the trail became heavily brushed.  This is about 1/2 mile past the tunnel rock.   At this point the trail did not match the map we had on the GPS.  The GPS map showed the trail switchbacking up the hill starting at the crib wall.  The trail being used stays low and travels through brush.   This part of the trail needs to be cleared.  We are not sure how far this brushy area goes but it would be a good starting point to do the next trail project. ÂÂ, Scouting trip part of the Sespe MLK working vacation. There is one large downed oak tree which required a tricky "climb" through its canopy, which was lying across the trail. Hike one mile up Sisar Road to Forest Service locked gate. Explore more in our professional, high quality trail guides and outdoor reviews. hiked to the White Ledge Camp and started the brushing project ¼ mile  But two miles out it became extremely thick and completely unavoidable. This section of the trail is an old roadbed, broad and mostly smooth and The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. 6.3 km Photos are screenshots of a video taken while approaching bushes fully covering the trail.ÂÂ. (If you stay on the road, you will reach Nordhoff Ridge after 4.5 miles). Park along north side of Highway 150 adjacent to Summit School. Through funding provided by the US Forest Service, from 2020 to 2023 we will be reclaiming critical portions of trails around Ojai and Santa Paula: • Last Chance • Santa Paula Canyon • Santa Paula Peak • Red Reef • North Fork Matilija • Murietta • Pratt • Howard Creek • Up Sisar canyon, went as far as junction with Santa Paula canyon trail (Last Chance Trail). Hike one mile up Sisar Road to Forest Service locked gate. • Two continued to the top of Topa Topa, but the 84 degree weather and … Reports are that all trees have been cleared except for one large fallen pine just outside of Ladybug Camp. Parking at Highway 150 is suggested. to the poor condition of the road! Tour around Ojai valley via mountain ridge roads and trails. It's all singletrack and is one of those trails that is as fast as you want to make it. The hike along Sisar Canyon Road and Red Reef Trail, east of Ojai, connects to the top of Nordhoff Ridge. Go up Sisar Road, narrow road adjacent to Summit School. 20.9 km • The Sisar Canyon trailhead in the Upper Ojai Valley is a popular starting point for forest users (equestrian, MTB or hikers) heading up the Red Reef Trail or to see the incredible Ojai views along Sisar Rd. A little snow lingering. • 204.18 m Up Trail Number: 21W08 . Thanks to all that attended! Ladybug Camp is 2.3 miles northeast from the ridge and is shaded by big cone Douglas-firs. Respect private property. You'll climb well above the canyon floor until you meet an obvious trail on the right, the Red Reef Trail. Some wash outs as well. 675' Down above the camp working our way back to the lower trailhead.  There was a Please explain. There are a number of trails in the Ojai area that lead from the Ojai Valley over the mountains towards Rose Valley and Sespe River. Seven of us made the 12.4 mile round trip trek up Sisar Canyon to the Nordoff Ridge Road. 405.3 m Down, 15.4 mi • trk001 Lower Red Reef Trail Lower Red Reef Trail DeLorme Topo USA® 8.0 1596.004028 2012-04-22T21:47:40Z 3d 1595.584961 2012-04-22T21:47:58Z 3d 1589.625732 2012-04-22T21:49:03Z 3d 1590.317261 2012-04-22T21:49:54Z 3d 1596.729980 2012-04-22T21:50:13Z 3d 1597.272949 2012-04-22T21:50:26Z 3d 1596.853027 2012-04-22T21:50:57Z 3d 1594.967041 2012-04-22T21:51:15Z 3d … It was deserted. on the trail. This area is a famous overwintering spot for ladybird beetles. Being a jerk / offensive? USPS suggests the address below Suggested address here ("Check yourself before you wreck yourself" folks.) To clarify, this is the Red Reef Trail - Ojai side.  Currently there are about 10 dedicated parking spaces near the first gate ~ there are three gates total.  If using the trail on weekends get there early or park on Highway 150 and walk up.  The trail has a lot of grass covering the tread in places and overall is in need of major brushing.  There is flowing water at White Ledge Camp.  Passable to stock - must duck in places. There is water at the beginning and at the end but not for most of the middle. Red Reef Trail is best described in two parts: upper and lower. Very steep. • Something else? Take Sisar Road about 3.5 miles to get to a shot-up sign that marks the trailhead to Red Reef Trail, about 1/2 mile above the second gate. • I sat down and ate lunch. This is the Topa Topa Bluff Trail. Moderately steep. Red Reef hiking trail in Ojai, California. The trail climbs steeply another 1.7 miles to Hines Peak Road. 670' Up There are also a number of downed trees, about 4-5 which required me to get down on hands and knees and crawl under. Shaddus Maximus/Los Padres Forest Association, Coming up from the Sespe drainage, the first couple of miles on the Red Reef are the most challenging.  Trail was easily seen and passable until about a mile out from Harris Tunnel. DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous ascent of more than 2,200 feet. Hike one mile up Sisar Road to locked gate. ... Rose Valley Campground, Chief Peak, Rose Valley Falls, Rose Valley Creek, Sespe Creek, Bear Creek, Thacker Creek, Red Reef. East Fork Trail, located near Los Padres National Forest, California is a 2.1 mile hiking, trail running and walking trail with a top elevation of 1746 feet. Took a quick out-and-back hike up to White Ledge Camp after the Thanksgiving storms. White Ledge Camp water flowing very well. 1,319' Up Description This section of the Red Reef Trail extends from the east end of Nordhoff Ridge Road north-east to the Sespe River Trail. There are numerous spots where you must walk through thick, wall-like bushes to continue along this narrow trail. The trail is about 2.5 miles to the fireroad on the ridge, 1.5 mile up the trail is White Ledge Camp. 4,334 m blue singletrack trail. The climb to the top of Red Reef Trail is about 10 -11 miles from the bottom gate (see picture). Red Reef Trail - (04-2011) Four days and three nights, from Lions Camp to Ladybug camp and then out towards Ojai. Hike another 2.1 miles  until the Red Reef Trail leaves the road at a switchback. Trail tread is in great shape from the Sespe all the way up to the ridge. Other times you are walking through dead brush that leans into the trail, but is easily passable. Overview This is a great ride if you like to start your rides with a climb and end it with a long fast descent.  The worst is just above the timber creek crossing and just above Lady Bug Camp. Continuing east (right) you’ll reach Willett Camp after 1.3 miles and Sespe Hot Springs after 6.7 miles. 16.2 km DIRECTIONS: 101 South to Highway 33 to Ojai, then Highway 150 toward Upper Ojai Valley and left on Sisar Canyon Road. The Sisar Canyon/Red Reef Trail offers partial Wilderness access along an eighteen mile trail from Sisar gate to Sycamore Flat along the Sespe River. Had to get on all 4 to pass it. 461.44 m Down. Upper Red Reef (before the campground) - steep, fast, not too technical and with beautiful views.  Up to this point there was almost no poison oak except for a very different looking strain that overgrew the trail in one particular spot. Also took side spur to top of Topatopa bluff. Need major trail work. Headed up to Topatopa Bluff. (If you stay on the road, you will reach Nordhoff Ridge after 4.5 miles). 24.7 km This confused me because according to the map, the Last Chance Trail is another mile and a half up the dirt road, which becomes the Red Reef Trail. Free trail maps, driving directions, regulations, fees and camping information for Nordhoff Ridge Road in California. It's not super technical but if you are planning on going fast just watch out for some loose rocks and some step type little drops which are actually really fun to fly off of. 2,228' Up A massive fallen oak right at the Sespe Wilderness gate on the ridge road. 390.14 m Up • Technical terrain with no alternate lines. Ride Name: Ojai: Red Reef & Horn Trail Chunkfest When: Saturday 4/ 6 /19 Time: 9:30 Roll Time Where: Trailhead of Horn Trail Ride Description or Details: Parking at the bottom of Horn Trail and front loading the climb to Summit Elementary School to climb Sisar up to Red Reef, drop Red Reef back to Sisar and climb up to drop Horn back to the vehicle.  Luckily there was water at a creek crossing a mile back from where we turned around. Dan McCaslin. Heavy rain on night of 8th and 10. (If you stay on the road, you will reach Nordhoff Ridge after 4.5 miles). 2,230' Down Read More. Create Recommended Route or Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply.  There are a few down trees along the way. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Thank you for taking the time to visit Hike Los Padres. Description Red Reef Trail is best described in two parts: upper and lower. Rode both the loop (up Sisar to top & across ridge & down Red Reef Trail) and the up & back (up Sisar, up Red Reef and back down) a couple times over the last month. Trail was often wet but never sloppy; since it's mostly forest roads, it's extremely clear and easy to follow. 1,514' Up This is a fairly rigorous trail with a lot of elevation gain. Not sure what it will be like in the spring. Horn Canyon Trail This 2.9-mile hike in Ojai goes up a canyon in the frontcountry of the Topatopa Mountains and ventures off trail along the soothing waters of Thacher Creek. NOT OKAY! 1,514' Down • Most of this overgrowth is going towards and right up to White Ledge Campground, as well as while leaving the campground/creek area to go towards Nordhoff Ridge. Patches of total trail brush/bush coverage. Wheeler Gorge This 1-mile loop explores the forest around this 70-site Campground. You start the climb following the creek, with a couple … 631.02 m Up Red Reef Trail - Los Padres National Forest Trail Distance 13.24 Miles Park along north side of Highway 150 adjacent to Summit School. Some technical terrain and limited alternate lines. •  Lots of water available along the trail right now! Rock slide across the trail I took a trail breaking right of the main trail and out to serene White Ledge Camp. Hike one mile up Sisar Road to locked gate. 461.46 m Up This is about an injury or accident There is water at the camp.  Walk beyond the sites to find the stream and definitely bring a filter. Ojai Ranger District (office temporarily closed - but phones are being answered Mon-Fri 8-430) 1190 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA 93023 Phone: (805) 448-4710.