TASSAJARA CUT-OFF TRAIL
- USFS Trail #
- Parking: See Horse Pasture Trail
- Watershed: Tassajara Creek
- Junctions: Horse Pasture Trail
- Connects: Horse Pasture Trail with Tassajara Zen Center
- Camps: None
Conditions reported by:
Lisel
Survey date: 29-APRIL-2007
General: CLEAR
Specific:
We hiked from the Tassajara Zen Center to the junction with the Horse Pasture Trail. The path along the stream is just beautiful and very clear with little poison oak. Numerous deep pools, lovely trees and bunch grass abound. You do have to boulder hop several times--but as this trail is much used by Zen Center guests, it is well maintained. The "Narrows" was a great place for swimming and lunch, and very refreshing before the hike upwards to the junction with Horse Pasture. As noted below, the uphill section was steep, but clear and well maintained with great views into the valley and of the very long waterfall. Also, look for dippers or water ouzels (birds) along Tassajara Creek--we saw them diving into the rapids and popping out to feed some little babies in a hanging nest in the rock. Very cool.
This is a lovely trail. Clear and passable. We found the tread good, and encountered very little poison oak. It appears that someone has done some trimming of brush. The views are great, and the very long waterfall still had water running in it this weekend. It is steep, but did not seem particularly challenging in terms of difficulty or dangerous dropoffs.
Conditions reported by: Eric Schrader
Survey date: 27-MAY-2006
General: PASSABLE
Specific:
Like the Horse Pasture trail which connects, this trail is overgrown by poison oak to the point that anyone who is allergic should think twice about taking it. The tread is good in many places, but is consistently narrow and sometimes sloped. The section along a steep rocky cliff is spectacular with a view of a waterfall (dry all summer I would imagine) but seemed so dangerous that I didn't care to spend much time there. If you do plan to take this trail carry a stick for bush whacking and also a pair of scissors or loppers to cut overhanging poison oak and brush.
Conditions reported by:
NWendy C.
Survey date: 20-AUGUST-2005
General: PASSABLE
Specific:
We started this hike from the Tassajara Zen Center heading down trail over Tassajara Creek, which is very passable at this time of year. We took the time to hike up to the Narrows swimming holes and they looked lovely! A rope helps swimmers get out of one of the largest of the swimming holes.
We then headed up the Cut-off Trail towards Horse Pasture Trail. Came across one small and unthreatened rattlesnake in the middle of the trail. This trail does not appear to get a lot of use, but there wasn't much brush covering the trail and it was well worn from years of use( and very little rainfall). Because of the hot and dry conditions this trail has some areas where the tread has slide away and is loose under foot. It has some great views of the surrounding steep mountains, but it is also in the hot sun most of the time.
The Horse Pasture Trail is also not overgrown and in good condition, but in some places where the trail is steep the tread has worn away. A real ankle twister if you are not cautious! Trail signs are well marked along this entire trail. The last 2 miles which meets up with the main road are a breeze with excellent views.
As a footnote I highly recommend hikers book reservations at the Zen Center. Not only is the food a hikers dream, but the hot springs bath facilities are wonderful! I wouldn't make this a destination hike without going to the Zen Center too!
Conditions reported by:
Jon Libby
Survey date: 28-MAY-99
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Trail is clear from Horse Pasture Trail to Tassajara Creek. Four of us
worked it last week and it is open and clear.
Please remember that Tassajara itself is private and reservations are
required during the summer guest season. During the fall, winter and
spring it is a cloistered monastery and is closed to the public.
