Triunfo Canyon Trail - Los Robles Trail System, CA

The Triunfo Canyon Trail is a very nice trail that begins at the southwest corner of Triunfo Park. The trail starts out fairly flat traveling through a grassy meadow in the bottom of a small canyon. When you pass the kiosk at the trailhead you'll see a mountain lion warning. I'm someone that can testify to the validity of that warning. A number of years ago I had a close encounter with a mountain lion in this meadow. I was trail running at night and my headband light locked onto the big cat at about 30 yards. When the lion saw me it couldn't get away from me fast enough, dashing back and forth up the the north wall of the canyon before finally disappearing over the top. You are much less likely to spot a mountain lion during daylight hours.


The trail leaves the meadow as the walls of the canyon close in. You'll travel under several old oaks as the trail begins a mild ascent. You will reach a junction in the trail. There should be a sign here telling you where to go, but at last check there isn't. The trail heads off the the left. If you go straight you will head up the old trail that is no longer maintained. The new trail is much nicer. However, despite the fact that the old trail was replaced a number of years ago it's clear that the old trail gets a lot of use to this day. There is a sign at the top of the old trail saying that the trail is closed, but not at the bottom.The new trail is the nicest trail in the area. It is well maintained and because it is not very steep it suffers minimal erosion during the rainy season. If you hike this trail in the winter and early spring months there are abundant wildflowers as well.

The trail travels up several switchbacks before heading in a westerly direction for the remainder of its length. At one point just past the last switchback you are only about 30 yards from the Brookview Trail above.

After about three-quarters of a mile the trail reaches a junction with a small trail to the left. This trail will take you to the Brookview Trail about 20 yards uphill.

After passing the junction the trail descends slightly before wrapping around the north side of a hill over gently rolling terrain. The trail ends at a junction with the Los Robles Trail.

2012-02-04 slegal