This Is Not A Test.

This is the Hike Beyond the Hills “Broadcast” System announcing the continuance of the California Central Coast Six Pack of Peaks Challenge journey. For up-to-date road and trail information, please continue reading.

Arrived at the Tequepis Trailhead just before 7am. There were no other vehicles in the dirt parking lot. Once you turn onto Forest Route 6N04 from Hwy 154, the trailhead is about 1.2 miles in. Most of this distance is on a single-track dirt road, easy driven in a sedan. The final ½ mile or less is paved, but it is a narrow road with little room to move over for oncoming traffic.

About 600 feet from the trailhead is a water crossing that is about 4 or 5 inches at its deepest point. Then just before the trailhead is another water crossing that is a little deeper but very easy to cross in a sedan. Just stay on the narrow road. I think I read someone drove their Prius through it.

I started off right around 7am. There are about 3 or 4 creek crossings within the first half mile or so. Poles will definitely help for these crossings. The creek is running high and fast. However, in a few months, it won’t be so high or fast and crossing will be simple. The Alltrails route has you crossing the creek almost immediately, however, if you follow the road up through the cabins for a tenth of a mile or so, you will reach what should be your first crossing. There is a 2×6 board across the creek to aid in crossing.

At one point there is a area/crossing where the trail has been washed out and you can either get wet trying to rock hop up the creek or, as I did, take a right up a narrow wash for about 30 feet, then head left crossing over a downed tree and some brush to get back on the trail. Just be careful, there is a lot of poison oak off trail and along the trail for the first few miles. Then it becomes sporadic after that, but any damp area you’re in, there will likely be poison oak.

The trail was in great condition considering all the rain. A little muddy to start, but easily passable. There are a few areas where parts of the trail have been washed out, but nothing unsafe. Off course that could change with another storm.

Great views of Cachuma Lake and the snow capped San Rafael Wilderness and mountain range behind it. At about 4 miles you reach the ridgeline where the Tequepis Trail meets the West Camino Cielo Rd and you are immediately rewarded with, not only the views of Cachuma Lake and the San Rafael Wilderness to your northeast, you now have the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands to the SW.

The summit was unassuming. Nothing spectacular except the views. Lots of radio towers and some buildings. I took a short break to refuel and then headed down. I didn’t see anyone on the trail until I had about 2 miles left on my descent. There were two guys on bikes, surveying the trail and discussing where they (and their crew) should build support walls along the trail and what materials they would need. From what I saw, that will be a tall order. Good luck to them!

I finished my journey right around 11:30am and decided to head over to the Vista Point a few miles away to check out the Bradbury Damn – Cachuma Lake Project. Again, some pretty cool views!