New vistas on Ventura River Preserve trail memorializing Allan Jacobs
Photo by Nathan Wickstrum
A mountain biker enjoys the new Allan Jacobs Trail.
Perry Van Houten, Ojai Valley News senior reporter
Hikers, bikers and equestrians have a new trail to explore in the Ventura River Preserve.
On Nov. 16, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy opened the Allan Jacobs Trail, a 1.4-mile-long trail that connects the Oso Ridge Trail to the south with the Chaparral Crest Trail to the north.
Fun fall hikes in forest, minus bugs, crowds and heat
Ojai Valley News photos by Perry Van Houten
Fall is a colorful time of year in the Sespe Creek area of Los Padres National Forest. According to USFS botanist Lloyd Simpson of Ojai, deciduous trees like cottonwoods and sycamores change color in response to the amount of daylight they get, a clue that winter is coming. The trees shut down their food-making process (photosynthesis), and the chlorophyll that makes that process possible and gives leaves their green color begins to break down. As the chlorophyll disappears from the leaves, the yellow and orange colors that were there all along begin to show.
Fall is my favorite time of year to hike in these three areas of Los Padres National Forest, since temperatures are down and summer crowds and bugs are gone. Autumn is also an ideal time to go because the trees are changing color. Be sure to dress in layers and check the weather forecast before heading out. Take a friend and tell someone where you’ve gone and when you’ll be returning.
Lion Canyon Trail gets a haircut
Photo provided
Volunteers with Los Padres Forest Association hike up Lion Canyon Trail on National Public Lands Day.
Hiking one of the most scenic canyons in Los Padres National Forest just got a whole lot better, thanks to a National Public Lands Day event on Sept. 28 that restored a portion of the Lion Canyon Trail.
Torched tower provides peak view of valley
Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten
The view from Nordhoff Lookout, looking west.
The old fire lookout tower that once stood guard over the Ojai Valley is accessible from three distinct trailheads — Pratt, Gridley and Howard Creek.
No matter which route you take, the last mile to Nordhoff Peak will test your determination.
Season of color through photographer's lens
Ojai Valley News photo by Perry Van Houten
Color and rushing water at the west fork Lion Canyon waterfall.
Winter arrives today, Dec. 21, at 2:23 p.m., but it’s not too late to catch a last glimpse of fall in the Los Padres National Forest. It’s a great time of year to get out for a hike — temperatures are down, the trails are empty and the trees are changing color. Consider these trails when planning a walk amongst the turning leaves. All three trailheads are located approximately 30 to 40 minutes north of Ojai.
Let’s take a look at three most popular hiking trails
Voting recently concluded in the 2018 Best of the Ojai Valley contest, in which readers cast votes in 140 categories, including favorite hiking trail.
The results will be published in the Best of the Ojai Valley supplement in the Oct. 19 edition of the Ojai Valley News.
From last year’s contest, here are our readers’ top three picks, along with directions to the trailheads and what hikers can expect.