Foggy, Soggy Hike In Rice Canyon

We had a very HOT weekend. Temperatures in the 90's, but then this morning, there was a thick marine layer and it was drizzling some when me, my brother Keith and my dog Hiker headed to Rice Canyon for a foggy, soggy hike.

We had just started out from the trail head when we spotted a coyote running around in the ranger's yard. It noticed us and started to run up the hill, but then it stopped and sat down and just watched us as we went on up the trail. It was only about 300 yards from us. It looked friendly, but we avoided it.

Because of the late rain we've had this year, the grass was tall and green and the creek was running. There were even a few wildflowers, but very few.

Keith lead us up the trail toward the meadow on the top of the ridge.

We stopped under a tree to snap a photo of the three of us...Me, Hiker and Keith.

There was a lot of moisture on the leaves from the drizzle.

Took this photograph from the ridge. You can see the fog on the mountain tops.

We started back down the trail toward the lower meadows and the trail head where the car was parked. We did not see the coyote again, but we did come upon this gopher snake. It was stretched out across the trail and scared the heck out of me. I am scared to death of snakes whether they are poisonous or not. Keith determined it was not a rattler, chased it into the grass and Hiker and I ran past it as fast as we could go.

We were muddy and wet by the time we got back to the car. I had to give Hiker a bath when we got her home.

Rice Canyon Hike - 09/21/2011

My good friend Linda and I hiked Rice Canyon this morning. Linda had never been there before but I had hiked this trail back in October 2008. The first thing we came across was a young deer buck getting a drink of water. We took his picture and then he scampered away. The trail is a nice easy trail with several stream crossings and a lot of shade. The stream was mostly dry because it is still hot here and we have not had a good rain for several months. The trail is an "in and out". Just before you get to the end of the trail it starts to climb and you come out on a flat plateau where you have some great views of the canyon.

Rice Canyon is in the Santa Clarita Valley of Southern California near the city of Santa Clarita. It is just off Interstate 5 on The Old Road. There is also another trail there called "East Canyon Trail". It is a little longer and a little more strenuous than the Rice Canyon Trail.

 Linda

 Linda and Me

 Linda

Linda and Me

RICE CANYON HIKE - 10/11/08

Rice Canyon is located in the Santa Clarita Woodlands. It is actually in East Canyon and there are 2 major trails there...the East Canyon Trail and the Rice Canyon Trail.

This trail is an easy, sloping canyon. About the last half miles or so, you start to climb a little, but most of the trail is pretty level. It is a pretty hike and very family friendly.

When you reach the end of the trail, you will be in a meadow high on the ridge of the mountain were you will see great views of the canyon in all directions.

There are many places where you will cross a stream in the "wet seasons". Today when I was there, the steam was dry.

Highlights: Wildflowers in the spring, groves of oak trees, running creek in the wet seasons, pretty meadows and great views.

Near: Newhall, CA
Distance: Approx. 4 miles round trip
Hike Time: Approx. 1 to 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Condition: Well maintained trail and very well marked.
Hike Type: Out and back

Trailhead: Exit Interstate 5 at Calgrove and proceed south on The Old Road. You will see a small sign on the right indicating the parking area for East/Rice Canyon.