Happy Trails

Date: September 7, 2014

Destination: Zuma Canyon Loop Trail

Cost: Gas only

The oppressive Valley heat has gotten old, but I yearned for an afternoon on the trail. Simple solution: head over to the coast for a trek with an ocean breeze. I've never been to Zuma Canyon before, which seems strange given the multitude of visits I've made to Zuma Beach. The National Park Service website gave me all the info I needed, including a trail map that I printed out to carry along.

I parked at the trailhead at the end of Bonsall Road, which is on the inland side Pacific Coast Highway at Westward Beach Road. The parking area is large and it’s free. Exiting the car, a blast of hot air made me second guess my decision. It wasn't that much cooler at the coast and I had arrived at the hottest part of the afternoon. Undeterred, I donned my cap and set off up canyon.

The Zuma Canyon Loop trail soon appeared on the left, which seemed like the best option given the temperature – no need to ascend ridges. But the trail soon diverted from the canyon floor and made a moderate ascent up a chaparral covered hillside. Wiping sweat from my brow and everywhere else, I wished the ocean breeze was a bit stronger. After pouring some drinking water over my head, I continued on and the trail soon leveled, providing expansive views of the pristine canyon. The crinkly dry brush could succumb to wildfire in an instant, and most bushes looked dead and brown. In other spots, bay leaves were deep green and glossy and there were a few lushly flowering buckwheat surrounded by appreciative bees.

The trail meanders back downhill to the canyon floor – passing under a wide ancient oak which provides welcome shade. Arriving at the dry stream bed, with a slight dip in temperature thanks to the leafy sycamores – I continued up to the rocky narrows, enjoying the diverse boulders that had lurched down from upper reaches. Hiking in the heat meant I had this beautiful canyon to myself, with chirping birds and scurrying lizards to keep me company.

I came back out via the Scenic Trail side loop and returned to the car – for a total of about three miles. I can’t wait to return after a spring storm, when the perennial creek is gushing and green grasses and wildflowers are abundant. With cooler temps, I’ll tackle the Zuma Ridge Trail or Ocean View Trail – far too ambitious for a hot summer Sunday.