This blog will detail 1,000 video hikes in Southern California. By Southern California, I am drawing a line from San Luis Obispo to the Nevada Border. Anything south of that line will be declared "Southern California". In a way, it is a personal challenge to do so many hikes. Mainly, however, it is my way of showcasing how many hiking opportunities there really are right in our own geographic back yard. As a blog, it serves as a companion piece to my Youtube channel "Mike On The Trail". It is also a work in progress, as I don't actually have 1,000 edited videos completed. This will take effort for quite some time before it is declared done. Even then, there will still be more out there. Here's to hiking and all the positive effects it has had on my life...and possibly yours!
The hike starts in a canyon on the western side of the range off Gold Creek Road. Despite being only a few miles from the city, Yerba Buena Ridge gets very few visitors. The Oak Spring Trail starts in a picturesque grove of oaks and then rises above the canyon. In about 1.5 miles, the trail arrives at Oak Spring. Oak Spring is an oasis like oak grove complete with a running creek and ample shade. Beyond the grove, the trail climbs toward Yerba Buena Ridge.
Approaching Oak Spring.
The single track trail merges with a dirt road known as Yerba Buena Truck Trail (FR 3N20) after another mile. A left turn on the road leads to the high points on the ridge. There are about three or four high point that are accessible along the ridge. I wanted to head to the highest point first (Yerba Buena Ridge). In about 4.5 miles, I stood on the highest point, which had moderate views. A trail from the east connects with this spot, which seems to be the Gold Canyon Trail (it appears to be another good trail option for me in the future).
On Yerba Buena Truck Trail.
The high point was my turnaround point. I went off trail part of the way down to climb three peaks that paralleled the road. Such additional peak climbing is really what made the hike most enjoyable and memorable. Views were better from these lower peaks and seems to rarely get visitors (Yerba Buena Ridge high point included). For the rest of the descent, I returned on the Oak Spring Trail back to Gold Creek Road.
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