An experienced and knowledgeable Trail Guide will lead the group on the 4.6 mile loop with 580 feet of elevation. The Wills-Rice Canyon Trails Loop is one of my favorites. Trail Ratings 3.4 from 7 votes #1 in Ventura River Preserve #2928 Overall. Less than two miles uphill, then a downhill cruise to the end. Meh. Walk along a red-soil service road through oaks and grasslands before taking a narrow diverging trail up a sage-covered hillside. The 2017 Thomas Fire destroyed the Rice Canyon Bridge and cut off an access point to the northern-most trails in the Ventura River Preserve. Yay! The Lodge at Bryce Canyon: All the creature comforts in a rustic setting - See 2,222 traveler reviews, 1,158 candid photos, and great deals for The Lodge at Bryce Canyon at Tripadvisor. Time: 3-4 hours. Once you come to a private gate and a bunch of cars parked around, you’ve found it. The Lion Canyon Trail borders the Great Sespe Wilderness and the Condor Sanctuary, has year-round water, and was recently maintained in the 2016 National Public Lands Day stewardship event. Because this trail is located along a north-facing canyon, you can see all types of vegetation from Douglas fir trees to spruce, oak, yucca and sycamores. The trail begins along a seasonal creek and quickly climbs about 640 feet in elevation along a well-forested and wild-flowered canyon to a ridgeline knoll with spectacular views of the Ojai Valley. If you don't find parking at the trailhead, you may be required to park up to 5 miles away, as there is no parking along the road leading to the trailhead. The trail proceeds west toward the river. March 13 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm $45 « February Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike; March Supermoon Sunset Nature Hike » REGISTER. www.venturacountytrails.org/...canyon-and-rice-canyon-trails-loop-in-ojai Note: If you drive up to the top of Gridley Road, you should find it. At a few places in the park, you can see both the sky and the foothills above Grand Avenue and mountains of the Wills Canyon/Rice Canyon ridge line and escarpment toward Meiners Oaks, and into the far reaches of Matilija Canyon. Happy Camp, Moorpark. From there, junction signs point the way to Kennedy Ridge Trail (via Rice Canyon Trail), leading you past a small stand of peppertrees, eucalyptus, and giant flowering agaves to a bridge over Los Robles Diversion Canal. Four trails are featured, the Pratt Trail, Horn Canyon, and upper Sisar Canyon on the north side of Ojai, and a loop trail on the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy's Ventura River/El Nido Preserve (Wills and Rice Canyons) west of Meiners Oaks. Search within reviews. Nearby Cities: Ojai. Full Details. Contacts. The trail begins along a seasonal creek and quickly climbs about 640 feet in elevation along a well-forested and wild-flowered canyon to a ridgeline knoll with spectacular views of the Ojai Valley. 5 years ago. Local mountain bikers know Ojai and Simi Valley offer both rolling hills and lung-searing climbs: Ojai’s Sisar Canyon trail goes up and up and up, but rewards with horizon-wide views. Distance: 4-5 miles round trip. On a clear day you can see both Anacapa and Santa Cruz in the Channel Islands. Location. The Ojai Valley Inn is the place to do just that. To access the preserve’s trails you’ll walk or ride though a gate and follow a dirt road winding down toward the river bottom. There wasn’t a trail I took that didn’t have a sign in front of it. Posted on March 25, 2014 by administrator Explore Ojai, Festival Blog. It’s clear this property was a former working ranch. When the downtown district of Ojai, California gets busy with shoppers, art enthusiasts, spa-goers, and Los Angelenos looking to get out of the city for a few days, the hiking trails scattered in and around Ojai become a popular alternative.The trails allow explorers to escape the hustle and bustle of the town and re-discover a connection with nature. I'm a fan. AllTrails has 69 great hiking trails, trail running trails, mountain biking trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. When the guests at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa request a guided hike, the Hiking Guides have a number of options. See more hiking trails in Ojai on Tripadvisor. Rice Canyon and Wills Canyon Trails Loop – 4.5 miles – On our last day let’s explore a different part of Ojai. Recommended Reviews. Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Get directions. Search within reviews . The areas close to the parking lot can get busy on weekends. Middle Fork of Matilija Canyon Directions: Head east on Highway 33 for about 4.7 miles to Matilija Canyon Road. Methinks not. Stay on the 33 until it turns off from highway 150. Ojai - Phoenix Rising from the Ashes Friday, February 23, 2018 . The trail has held remarkably well over the summer and is getting use thanks to the new bridge put in by OVLC at the Rice canyon entrance. All in all, a fun ride that has a lot to offer riders of all skill levels. 1 star rating. When this video was shot in January 2015, water was running in the river, grasses were green, and the neglected orange orchard was in place. Follow the trail out of the river bed and merge with a fire road, soon reaching the junction of the Willis and Rice Canyon Trails. 0. We started off this day knowing it would be a challenge because we know this trail well, what to expect at each hairpin turn, the views and valleys, the beautiful manzanita that we loved. This trail continues south through an old orange grove to a fork; turn right to head west along Rice Canyon Trail. This preserve is extremely well marked. Land Manager: Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. Username. (We stayed for about two hours at the campground) Rating: DIfficult. If you're looking for the best trails around Point Mugu State Park or Leo Carrillo State Park, we've got you covered. Take highway 33 north from 101 in Ventura. Read More. Please do not go south on the private access dirt road. Photo: Rondia Kaufer “We are constantly walking on herbs, the virtues of which no one knows.” – Chumash Tradition* Lanny Kaufer offers herb walks, nature hikes, and workshops focused on edible and medicinal plants of Southern California. The trail gradually ascends while offering nice views of the Ojai Valley. On a clear day you can see both Anacapa and Santa Cruz in the Channel Islands. from scottinojaivideos. 6. Directions: Google Maps. The Ventura River Preserve is a quite sensibly managed section of river bottom and adjacent canyons passing through Ojai , very close for residents to access for riding, biking, and hiking, making it a true multi-use recreation area. 0:17 – Oak in Rice Canyon The loop can be done in either direction, but by going counter-clockwise, you can knock out the less attractive portions of the hike first and save the scenic descent through Willis Canyon for last. See my photos … Hiking back down Sisar Canyon Trail. Shared By: Kurt Canfield. Nearby Cities: Ojai. One ride that’s almost all downhill is the Ojai Valley Trail, linking Ojai to the coast, with epic views along the way. The trail begins along a seasonal creek and quickly climbs about 640 feet in elevation along a well forested and wild-flowered canyon to a ridge line knoll with spectacular views of the Ojai Valley. Rice Canyon Nature Hike. February 7, 2018. Wills-Rice Canyon Trails -- Ojai, CA. The luxury 220-acre property is surrounded by ancient oak and olive trees and lined with fragrant sage and lavender. Cross Canal Road and a bridge over the canal. I found Rice Canyon Trail, the first major trail I would take today. This trail follows Rice Creek, which is shaded by oak and sycamore trees. 3 star rating. More to come soon! Up to the 1st Picnic Trail Using Rice Canyon. The equipment is tested and ready for action. It’s so well marked that not only are you given the name of the trail, but beneath it is often the name of the next major trail to which it connects. 0. Ojai, CA 93023. The park has two entrances, with the best trailer parking located off Highway 23. There is another trail-head on the way; it’s for The Shelf Road Trail, pass it up and park at the end of the road. Eek! Shaded canyons, the views when cresting the saddle, and friendly people are some of the many draws to this trail. 509 S Rice Rd. Join me Saturday, March 13, for a nature hike in Rice Canyon on the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ventura River Preserve. Horn Canyon Trail: To The Pines. Wills Canyon Trail » Less than two miles uphill, then a downhill cruise to the end. Looking for a great trail near Ojai, California? High-quality Grand Canyon Bumper pillows, tapestries, mugs, blankets, shower curtains, aprons, jigsaw puzzles, and magnets by independent artists. Turn left onto Rice Road, travel a few hundred feet and the parking lot is on the right. As you pass through a gate, you'll enter Los Padres National Forest. Learn more. We started off this day knowing it would be a challenge because we know this trail well, what to expect at each hairpin turn, the views and valleys, the beautiful manzanita that we loved. Kennedy Ridge Trail Up to the 1st Picnic Trail Using Rice Canyon. 2017/9/16 Rice Canyon Trail, Ojai, SYVR A ride in Ojai, the Valley of the Moon. I've experienced better. Lanny “ethnobotanizing” with herb walkers of all ages on the Horn Canyon Trail in Ojai. “We are constantly walking on herbs, the virtues of which no one knows.” – Chumash tradition* What are Herb Walks? Ojai’s Wills-Rice Canyon trail offers an easy/moderate 2-hour hike through three Ecosystems: Oak Meadow; Riparian Canyon including the “Enchanted Forest” and Chaparral. Be warned that Ojai gets very hot during the summer months, so bring plenty of water. Elevation Gain: Nearly 1800ft. You will continue going straight farther up Wills Canyon. A-OK. 4 star rating. Lanny Kaufer offers herb walks, nature hikes, and workshops focused on edible and medicinal plants of Southern California. 2 star rating. Hill Canyon Trail joins up with Wildwood, a trail that winds between houses for a short distance, eventually coming out on a ridgeline with fantastic views and then drops back down toward the canyon. Continue west along Chaparral Crest Trail, which essentially traces the top of Willis Canyon, and offers views out across the Ojai Valley, El Nido Meadow and out towards the Santa Ynez Mountains. We had planned to be up all of last weekend working the trail for three days but the conditions were too hot to be safe for trail work. Chaparral Crest Trail then returns back down the canyon and rejoins Willis Canyon Trail at El Nido Meadow. Edit business info.