BORONDA TRAIL (aka Timber Top Trail)
- USFS trail #
- Parking: Hwy 1 north of Torre Canyon
- Watersheds: Lafler Canyon, Torre Canyon
- Junctions: Coast Ridge Road
- Connects: Hwy 1 with Coast Ridge Road at Timber Top
- Camps: Timber Top (dry camp)
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The grassy heights of the Boronda trail.
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Conditions reported by:
Steven S.
Survey date: 16-MAY-2007
General: WILDERNESS FREEWAY
Specific:
Mostly Wilderness Freeway, two downed oak trees that you must go around at one point. Plenty steep enough to get your attention. Also the trailhead on Highway 1 is not marked. Look for an old wooden cattle chute/corral across the road from a tall wooden fence 0.5 miles north of the Torre Canyon Bridge.
Conditions reported by:
Adam W
Survey date: 1-JANUARY-2007
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Section: Coast Highway to Timber Top
All clear except for a large oak limb (about 1' diameter) that seems to have fallen in the recent storms about 1.5 miles up the trail.
About 90% of the trail is on grassland so it is in little danger of obstruction or overgrowth.
Conditions reported by:
Jim Ryan
Survey date: 1-JANUARY-2007
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Conditions: Excellent
Three of us hiked up from the Coast Highway. As mentioned in other/earlier reports the trail is steep is spots. The pluses are, aside from an excellent aerobic hike, the number of stunning views of the mountains and the sea are exceptional. Additionally, we were treated to a number of interesting birds along the trail.
As we approached the summit, we observed some cisterns and a water tank. The tank was labelled, "Non Potable." The water we found in the cisterns did not appear to be drinkable.
I would recommend hiking poles for this trail. The descent is very steep on the Boronda trail. In fact, one member of our party was heard to remark that this is the first time he "broke out in sweat" on a downhill.
All in all, a great hike with drop-dead views. Perfect for your New Year's Resolutions.
Conditions reported by:
EW
Survey date: 20-MAR-2004
General: CLEAR
Specific:
As long as you can find either end of this abandoned dozer grade / jeep road,
it's smooth sailing. An old side road leaves Coast Ridge Road at a saddle between Timber Top and an un-named peak to the south. Walk up a draw, cross it and climb to the left, traverse the upper reaches of Laffler Canyon and brace yourself for a steep descent over open terrain with fantastic ocean views all the way to Cape San Martin.
From Highway 1, a dilapidated stock fence just north of Torre Canyon Bridge marks the lower trailhead. When we were there a sign (dated 11/28/03) warned of "3 loose Blank Angus Bulls
spotted on the meadows above".
I wouldn't advise this one for anyone with knee problems, trekking poles are a real help on the descent; also wouldn't recommend ascending this one on a sunny day, no water, no shade and about a 30 degree gradient would make it a real toil.
Conditions reported by:
Gary Auth
Survey date: 3-DEC-2003
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Section: Coast Ridge Road to Hwy. 1
We did a loop hike on this sunny December day: up from Highway 1 to the
coast ridge road via the DeAngulo Trail then back down via the Boronda
Trail. The Boronda starts approximately 3/4 to a mile north of where the
DeAngulo intersects the CRR. Look for a road cut that takes off to the
north on the west side of the CRR. There are some faded orange ribbons
hanging from the limbs indicating you're going the right way. Little has
changed on the trail since Boon's report of February, 1999. Some steep
sections but the tread is well defined, although gulleyed from recent rains.
The coastline views south from the grassy ridges are spectacular and well
worth the effort of this loop trip.
Conditions reported by:
Boon Hughey
Survey date: February, 1999
General: CLEAR
Specific:
The entire length of the Boronda Trail is actually an old roadcut, so the "tread" is very well defined. I encountered no brush at all. The toughest part about this trail is its steepness, which makes it laborious on the way up and punishing on the way down.
