Date Hiked: February 8, 2023
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
The De Angulo Trail is now in terrific condition. The lower section of the trail has been worked by VWA volunteers and is in superb, safe status. This historic route is well worth the hike.
De Angulo Trail
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: October 16, 2022
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
VWA trail crew volunteers completed a second weekend of work on the brushy section of the De Angulo Trail. Most of the brush has been cleared, and most of the tread has been restored to good condition.
Volunteer work included tread realignment in many sections where brush had caused hikers to step off the trail and walk several feet below where the original tread had been. This trail has lots of steep sections but is a great option for accessing Cold Springs and the Big Sur Trail.
The trail starts at a driveway 1.0 miles south of the Torre Canyon bridge. It follows this driveway, and a private road, for the first mile. Even though the entrance to the driveway from Highway One has a chain across it saying Private Property, there is a right of way for hikers. After that first mile on the private road, watch for the trail turn off.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
VWA trail crew volunteers completed a second weekend of work on the brushy section of the De Angulo Trail. Most of the brush has been cleared, and most of the tread has been restored to good condition.
The trail starts at a driveway 1.0 miles south of the Torre Canyon bridge. It follows this driveway, and a private road, for the first mile. Even though the entrance to the driveway from Highway One has a chain across it saying Private Property, there is a right of way for hikers. After that first mile on the private road, watch for the trail turn off.
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colomex94
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: March 4, 2021
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
I hiked up Boronda trail and took the North Coast Ridge Road South towards the De Angulo trail. The trail marker is clearly marked from North Coast Ridge Road. There is a huge tree fallen on the trail about 100 yards from North Coast Ridge Road. I would say it is impassable at that point. I did not want to risk my life going past the tree. The trail at that point is also on a cliff side.
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
I hiked up Boronda trail and took the North Coast Ridge Road South towards the De Angulo trail. The trail marker is clearly marked from North Coast Ridge Road. There is a huge tree fallen on the trail about 100 yards from North Coast Ridge Road. I would say it is impassable at that point. I did not want to risk my life going past the tree. The trail at that point is also on a cliff side.
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AncientDunes
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: August 6, 2020
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
Walked from the hwy up to the trailhead. Homeowner's dogs were curious but relatively friendly.
Hiked the trail up to the Coast Ridge road. Trail is pretty overgrown most of the way up to the ridge but discernable. Switchbacks and saddles through some redwood stands, manzanita groves and then eventually rocky traversing and switchbacks.
Poison Oak very abundant in and around the trail. Wear pants and long sleeves unless immune. Great challenging trail with spectacular views. Very rewarding hike for the unique vantage points (you can see north and south for many miles along that part of the coast. And relative short length for the location. Tops out above the clouds and is pretty spectacular.
However, it is STEEP. We did it with packs packed for 3 days and it was a grind.
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
Walked from the hwy up to the trailhead. Homeowner's dogs were curious but relatively friendly.
Hiked the trail up to the Coast Ridge road. Trail is pretty overgrown most of the way up to the ridge but discernable. Switchbacks and saddles through some redwood stands, manzanita groves and then eventually rocky traversing and switchbacks.
Poison Oak very abundant in and around the trail. Wear pants and long sleeves unless immune. Great challenging trail with spectacular views. Very rewarding hike for the unique vantage points (you can see north and south for many miles along that part of the coast. And relative short length for the location. Tops out above the clouds and is pretty spectacular.
However, it is STEEP. We did it with packs packed for 3 days and it was a grind.
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Guest
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: April 12, 2020
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Some brushy sections indeed but very limited downfalls. Descending, the trail was pretty easy to follow. The condition of the trail seemed to gradually worsen going down with the worst sections being near where the trail meets the road. Still, very passable to those willing to push through some minor brush.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Some brushy sections indeed but very limited downfalls. Descending, the trail was pretty easy to follow. The condition of the trail seemed to gradually worsen going down with the worst sections being near where the trail meets the road. Still, very passable to those willing to push through some minor brush.
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jpdoelman
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: April 12, 2019
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
The trail has some brush between the jeep road portion of the trail (the 1st mile of the trail) and the elevation of the highest homes on Partington Ridge. Above that point there is no brush. Doing the loop, up the boronda trail, then down the De Angulo then back to the car at the bottom of the Boronda trail requires walking along Hwy 1, and over a long bridge.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
The trail has some brush between the jeep road portion of the trail (the 1st mile of the trail) and the elevation of the highest homes on Partington Ridge. Above that point there is no brush. Doing the loop, up the boronda trail, then down the De Angulo then back to the car at the bottom of the Boronda trail requires walking along Hwy 1, and over a long bridge.
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sauce
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: August 5, 2018
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
We descended this trail on August 5th, 2018 as part of a loop from Boronda trail/timber top camp. The first miles is clear with the exception of a few sections with steep, loose rock. The middle section of this trail is severely overgrown for about 1-1.5 miles with no relief until you reach the fire road. At times the trail disappears but there are pink ribbons tied to trees to guide your path. Lots of poison oak that can be unavoidable at times. The fire road is clear all the way to HWY 1. No water anywhere.
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
We descended this trail on August 5th, 2018 as part of a loop from Boronda trail/timber top camp. The first miles is clear with the exception of a few sections with steep, loose rock. The middle section of this trail is severely overgrown for about 1-1.5 miles with no relief until you reach the fire road. At times the trail disappears but there are pink ribbons tied to trees to guide your path. Lots of poison oak that can be unavoidable at times. The fire road is clear all the way to HWY 1. No water anywhere.
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: February 11, 2018
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
The nasty portion at the bottom of DeAngulo trail has been cleared (the first quarter mile after the turnoff from the dirt road). The whole trail is now relatively clear and easy to follow.
There is still a little vegetation encroaching on the rest of the trail (everything's growing like crazy with the early spring right now). The tread needs some work along most of the way: steep slopes and people sidestepping the trail where overgrown has led to sloughing and loose tread. Finally, there are a handful of fallen trees that need clearing, ranging from 6" up to 3' diameter.
Beautiful trail, it's a great overnight loop to go up Boronda and down DeAngulo.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
The nasty portion at the bottom of DeAngulo trail has been cleared (the first quarter mile after the turnoff from the dirt road). The whole trail is now relatively clear and easy to follow.
There is still a little vegetation encroaching on the rest of the trail (everything's growing like crazy with the early spring right now). The tread needs some work along most of the way: steep slopes and people sidestepping the trail where overgrown has led to sloughing and loose tread. Finally, there are a handful of fallen trees that need clearing, ranging from 6" up to 3' diameter.
Beautiful trail, it's a great overnight loop to go up Boronda and down DeAngulo.
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: February 2, 2018
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
We started at Highway 1 and hiked up to Coast Ridge Road and back. I would rate the trail as somewhere between "Passable" and "Difficult." Unlike the section of trail awaiting you, the beginning section of road has a reasonable grade. It's been a few years since I've done the de Angulo and I don't remember some of the domiciles being so trashy. There's also seems to be more non-native invasive plants than before, but maybe I'm more aware of such things in my old age.
Shortly after turning left (north) off of the road and onto the well-marked trail, we encountered genista and slipping tread. There's been some good work on the trail, but the removal of the genista looks to be a significant challenge. It needs to be pulled out by its roots which requires an uprooting tool for the larger shrubs. The genista can harbor ticks, so be sure to check yourself periodically. Once past the genista sections, the hiker will encounter various forms of detritus (such as a child's toy ATV and an old rusted panel truck) before dropping down into the shaded canyon. Recently placed flagging will help you to stay on the trail as your climb begins again in earnest. We clambered over a few deadfalls along the way. It's always the middle sections of Ventana trails that need the most work. The last mile up to the coast ridge is in pretty good shape though the brief faltering section of an exposed rocky outcrop requires focus ... especially on the way down. I took time to admire the views west towards Torre Canyon and the Boronda trail up to Timbertop. One can see how Jaime de Angulo fell in love with the area. As you approach the ridge, you can't help but notice how repeated fire cycles and back burns have decimated the ponderosa pine population. Massive snags, while pretty in their own way, bear testament to a landscape altered by climate change and the ravages of wildfire.
Mercifully, the final approach to the coast ridge contours to the west allowing the hiker to catch his breath after what has been a nearly relentless climb on a steep grade. Once on the ridge, you are now rewarded with awesome views revealing Pico Blanco to the north and the iconic Ventanas in the interior. Mt. Olmstead, now nearly devoid of trees, looms above Logwood Creek.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
We started at Highway 1 and hiked up to Coast Ridge Road and back. I would rate the trail as somewhere between "Passable" and "Difficult." Unlike the section of trail awaiting you, the beginning section of road has a reasonable grade. It's been a few years since I've done the de Angulo and I don't remember some of the domiciles being so trashy. There's also seems to be more non-native invasive plants than before, but maybe I'm more aware of such things in my old age.
Shortly after turning left (north) off of the road and onto the well-marked trail, we encountered genista and slipping tread. There's been some good work on the trail, but the removal of the genista looks to be a significant challenge. It needs to be pulled out by its roots which requires an uprooting tool for the larger shrubs. The genista can harbor ticks, so be sure to check yourself periodically. Once past the genista sections, the hiker will encounter various forms of detritus (such as a child's toy ATV and an old rusted panel truck) before dropping down into the shaded canyon. Recently placed flagging will help you to stay on the trail as your climb begins again in earnest. We clambered over a few deadfalls along the way. It's always the middle sections of Ventana trails that need the most work. The last mile up to the coast ridge is in pretty good shape though the brief faltering section of an exposed rocky outcrop requires focus ... especially on the way down. I took time to admire the views west towards Torre Canyon and the Boronda trail up to Timbertop. One can see how Jaime de Angulo fell in love with the area. As you approach the ridge, you can't help but notice how repeated fire cycles and back burns have decimated the ponderosa pine population. Massive snags, while pretty in their own way, bear testament to a landscape altered by climate change and the ravages of wildfire.
Mercifully, the final approach to the coast ridge contours to the west allowing the hiker to catch his breath after what has been a nearly relentless climb on a steep grade. Once on the ridge, you are now rewarded with awesome views revealing Pico Blanco to the north and the iconic Ventanas in the interior. Mt. Olmstead, now nearly devoid of trees, looms above Logwood Creek.
- Attachments
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- snags
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padamson
Re: De Angulo Trail
Date Hiked: January 6, 2018
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
I started the De Angulo trail at the east entrance (coast ridge road) and descended to highway 1 as part of a larger Boronda -> De Angulo loop day hike.
Most of the de angulo trail is a clear trail with well defined tread - with one big exception. See below.
Starting from coast ridge road the trail is narrow but clear. There is a big sign marking the start of the trail so you can't miss it. As you descend you hug a cliffside with open views of the coastline and Torre Canyon below. Fantastic.
But... around the midway point the trail becomes nearly impassable, or impassable depending on who you ask. If I were ascending from highway 1 I would have probably turned back. However since I was on the descending stretch of my loop hike I sucked it up and pushed through.
As you descend into the creek and pass the house at Partington Ridge, the trail disappears into the brush. There was just barely enough tread for me to guess my way through the thick brush. With winter rain the soil is loose and muddy so watch your step! There are a few old deadfalls, a child's atv, and a really old box truck you must also navigate around. It's a sketchy stretch but at the moment still doable for the right person.
After that the trail opens up and becomes a wilderness freeway. Although this section is also an access road to some homes so you don't really feel like you're in the wilderness anymore. It continues this way for the next mile or so until you reach highway 1.
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
I started the De Angulo trail at the east entrance (coast ridge road) and descended to highway 1 as part of a larger Boronda -> De Angulo loop day hike.
Most of the de angulo trail is a clear trail with well defined tread - with one big exception. See below.
Starting from coast ridge road the trail is narrow but clear. There is a big sign marking the start of the trail so you can't miss it. As you descend you hug a cliffside with open views of the coastline and Torre Canyon below. Fantastic.
But... around the midway point the trail becomes nearly impassable, or impassable depending on who you ask. If I were ascending from highway 1 I would have probably turned back. However since I was on the descending stretch of my loop hike I sucked it up and pushed through.
As you descend into the creek and pass the house at Partington Ridge, the trail disappears into the brush. There was just barely enough tread for me to guess my way through the thick brush. With winter rain the soil is loose and muddy so watch your step! There are a few old deadfalls, a child's atv, and a really old box truck you must also navigate around. It's a sketchy stretch but at the moment still doable for the right person.
After that the trail opens up and becomes a wilderness freeway. Although this section is also an access road to some homes so you don't really feel like you're in the wilderness anymore. It continues this way for the next mile or so until you reach highway 1.