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A hot Fourth of July hike in Point Mugu State Park.

My desire to hike was in full force during the Fourth of July Weekend.  I had done two hikes on Friday, July 3rd (hike #22 & hike #23) but I was still wanting more.  I’m completely addicted to hiking! Early Saturday afternoon, I headed out to Point Mugu State Park, trail map and daypack in hand.  My goal was to find the Sycamore Canyon Waterfall, which I heard about from site visitor Hikaholic Camille.

The hike began at the Satwiwa Culture Center parking lot Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park, California.  From here, I headed south.  This area of the Santa Monica Mountains has a mess of trails crisscrossing every which way, but I took the Satwiwa Loop Trail to the Boney Mountain Trail, the most direct route across the open fields to the canyon.  The first half mile of the hike has a great view of Boney Mountain, an icon of the area which looms beyond my destination.  Maybe I’ll be able to summit the mountain before this project comes to an end in December?  We’ll see.

The grade begins to climb when the Satwiwa Loop Trail meets Boney Mountain Trail.  The trail hugs the side of a hill as it climbs, then drops down into Sycamore Canyon, covered by a thick foliage of green plants and broad-leafed Sycamore trees.   If I had a favorite type of trail, this stretch of trail would be a perfect example: a forested canyon alive with plants and animals, butterflies flutter by every few steps, and the continual sound of running water – the source of life for the canyon.  I love it.

About one hundred yards upstream is the waterfall.  Or, I should say, where a waterfall would be if there was more running water.  The Sycamore Canyon Waterfall is a seasonal fall, so don’t expect much if you visit during the middle of the summer.  I didn’t know what to expect so I wasn’t disappointed.  It would have been nice to see some falling water, but I was content with the fact that I was the only one in the canyon.

I sat there and took in the rich environment before heading back.  I wasn’t looking forward to the climb up Boney Mountain Trail nor the shadeless trek across Satwiwa Loop Trail, so I decided to extend my stay in the canyon by taking a longer detour on the Upper Sycamore Trail which follows the creek down the canyon.  This stretch of trail is now my favorite in the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area.  Best of all, I was the only one on it for the entire stretch.  I guess hiking isn’t high on many people’s list of things to do on a warm Fourth of July weekend!

Thoughts about the hike:

1. I love how the Santa Monica Mountains park system provide free detailed trail maps at the trailhead which cover the immediate surrounding area.
2. This was my first lengthy hike since Telescope Peak.  I’ve learned to appreciate the low altitude and how well I breath in it.
3. I kept a strong pace on this trek and it felt good.  However, I did stop quite frequently to take (or attempt to take) photos of butterflies and other natural wonders.  It seems that the naturalist in me is always fighting with the fitness-oriented hiker in me.
4. I was totally expecting to run into a rattlesnake on the trail!  No such luck.  But I did have the misfortune of discovering a busy beehive just feet from the trail.  I quickened my pace as I passed it and was left alone.

Resources:

1. Boney Mountain Trail to Sycamore Canyon Falls Complete Trail Guide
2. Sierra Club: Los Padres Chapter Sespe Section Outings
3. Local Hikes – Big Sycamore Canyon

Hike #24 Trip GPS Stats:

• Date of hike: July 4th, 2009
• Location: Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa – Newbury Park, California
• Length: 5.7 miles (more like 5.3)
• Duration: 3 hours, 28 minutes
• Average speed: ±2.3 mph
• Altitude at start: 771 feet
• Altitude min.max: 495/1,036 feet

This map was made with the data my GPS captured on the hike.
For a more detailed trip report map, check this out.

Photos: