Trail logCorral to summit, on paper first.

Read the trail before you ride it.

One private trail system, one coastal canyon, and close to 2,000 vertical feet between the corral and the ocean view. Here is the ground, leg by leg.

The logFour legs, bottom to top.

0feet up
Riders mounted up in the corral under green trees while a wrangler in chaps checks a saddle

The corral flat

Every string leaves from the same barnyard. The canyon walls close in within minutes, and the creek finds you soon after.

1st zone
A thin waterfall dropping down a mossy rock face into a green pool in the canyon

Fern-lined Indian Canyon

Creek crossings, waterfalls, sycamores and fragrant bay trees. The shaded floor is what the 1.5-hour ride is made of.

2nd zone
A string of riders heading down the trail into the green trees, yellow wildflowers along the edge

The heavy woods

Oaks and manzanita cloak the middle slopes, with a stand of madrone in the mix. The 2.5-hour ride climbs into this quieter country.

3rd zone
Riders lined up at a railed lookout high above a green, wooded canyon

Open ridge to the summit

Near 2,000 feet up, the trees give way and the coastline takes over. The half-day ride tops out here, above everything.

Field notesSeen from the saddle.

The view between a bay horse's ears: green ridges stepping down to the blue Pacific
The reveal, framed by a good set of ears.
Riders mounted up on the trail with their wrangler, green oaks and the canyon wall behind them
Saddled up under the oaks, about to head out.
A rider heading down the trail through golden brush in the low evening light
Late light on the ride home.
Looking down on a string of riders on the canyon trail, the green slopes falling to the creek bed
The string, small against the canyon.
Riders winding through green spring trees on the trail
Somewhere in the second mile.
Two riders on horseback silhouetted on the ridge against a sunset sky
Two riders on the ridge at sundown.

SeasonsThe trail never repeats itself.

SpringWildflowers come up in profusion and the creek runs loud.
SummerLong evenings, dust that turns gold at the end of the day.
FallThe canyon's foliage turns rich along the water.
All yearHawks riding the thermals over the ridge, and the ocean waiting at the top.
Pick your ride Call 805-968-3901
A string of riders on the canyon trail with the sun flaring over the ridge ahead

Worth the climbEvery single time.

Trails you cannot hike to.

This is private ranch land. The only way onto these trails is on one of the stables' horses, which is exactly how they stay like this.

8:00 pmThe gates close. Tomorrow they open at 7:30.

Rides get booked by phone.

805-968-3901

One call books the ride, picks the time, and matches your group to the right horses. Last-minute riders are welcome when space allows.

Rather write than call?