Circle X Ranch • Hike • California • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Mar 21 2022

PatrickL

Guides 7
Routes 79
Photos 2,440
Triplogs 652

34 male

Joined Jan 10 2010
Pomona, CA

Sandstone Peak, CA

Hiking		Mar 21 2022
		PatrickL • Triplogs 652

Hiking	8.30 Miles	1,850 AEG

Hiking	8.30 Miles	4 Hrs 30 Mns	1.84 mph
	1,850 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Circle X Ranch

Partners

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Opted to take PCH instead of the 101 from Pasadena. Grabbed a late breakfast at Teddy’s in Santa Monica then continued along the coast. I considered starting from Circle X Ranch and I’m happy I chose not to - 8 miles was plenty after a weekend of walking. My starting point was a small lot between the official Sandstone trailhead and Circle X Ranch.

The first portion of the trail doesn’t see a lot of traffic. The tread is evident, albeit a tad overgrown - vegetation is coming in hot after whichever fire singed the area and it’s sprouting up right in the middle of the trail. More people were around once I reached the main trail.

The flower show was great on this day, making for a nice distraction on the way to Sandstone. Once at the top, the views we’re awesome as expected - San Gabriels in the distance, the Pacific, Channel Islands, etc.

The sun really set in after the peak. I took it slow with frequent breaks when I could find shade. There are enough cliff faces along the way to keep it interesting, even some climbers at Echo Cliffs. Made it back to the car at 6 as expected and drove back into the concrete jungle. Good times.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] California prickly phlox Canyon sunflower Ceanothus Orange bush monkeyflower Purple Nightshade Unidentified Flora

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

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1 archive

Oct 20 2013

slegal

Guides 77
Routes 106
Photos 2,987
Triplogs 57

63 male

Joined Jan 27 2007
Thousand Oaks, C

Circle X Ranch

Los Angeles, CA

Circle X Ranch

Los Angeles, CA

Hiking		Oct 20 2013
		slegal • Triplogs 57

Hiking	7.60 Miles	1,500 AEG

Hiking	7.60 Miles
	1,500 ft AEG

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

The government shutdown ended last week, which meant that Circle X Ranch, which is run by the NPS, is open for the first time in three weekends. I figured, why not? Well apparently everyone else that the same thing. Case in point, the top of Sandstone Peak looked like the Hollywood Bowl on the Fourth of July. No I didn’t take any photos of the crowd, but trust me, they were there.

I have avoided Circle X Ranch since the Spring Fire back in May, because I assumed all I would see is scorched earth. Much to my surprise, I saw no part of the ranch that had burned. That said, you didn’t have to look far beyond the western park boundary to see evidence of the Spring Fire. On the eastern slope of Tri Peaks and Boney Mountain, both of which are just outside of the park boundary, there was a considerable amount of burn.

All in all, this was a good afternoon hike. I always enjoy a good hike up here. It’s just hard to convince myself very often to make the extra drive when I pass other good trailheads along the way.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Conejo Mountain Lake Sherwood Sandstone Peak Tri Peaks

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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