Hennickson's Ridge Trail

[Mojave_Geek]

Date Hiked: July 9, 2016
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)

Hiked the section along Chew's Ridge from the parking area opposite the lookout road to where the ridge starts to plunge down. Only two miles but this is a stunningly beautiful trail as the forest transitions from pine/oak to open oak woods with wonderful old trees and intermittent views in both directions from the ridge.

Trail follows a clear road briefly but almost immediately pick up a very faint tread diverging right (a few logs and rocks apparently block the way) that stays at the crest. If you follow the road down until you see a fence line, go back (this may connect with a faint track later, don't know). The faint tread comes and goes as it hits a blowdown but can generally be followed, and passes through two fence lines. At the second fence line, pick up a faint two track and follow it as far as you like; straightforward navigation. What scenery!

[Site Administrator]

Date Hiked: February 23, 2003
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Conditions reported by: Paul Danielson

Specific:

The Hennickson's Ridge Trail is accessed from a gate at the top of Tassajara Road at a point opposite the entrance road to the Chews Ridge Lookout and the MIRA observatory. It begins with a jeep road which should be left shortly by bearing right and following a clear firebreak and staying on the ridge. Avoid any roads which turn left and head down in a south or southwesterly direction into Miller Canyon. Also avoid following the two trails that head north toward Bruce Flat. Instead, follow the grassy ridge which heads in a general northwesterly direction. There are some beautiful views to the south and some glorious oaks along the way. Eventually, you come to a fence and the beginning of some seriously steep, debris-littered firebreak trail conditions. A use path can be discerned and followed. At Cherry Thicket one enters private land. One can chance this section, but it is not recommended. It is difficult to follow the main road and avoid private driveways, vicious (truly!)watchdogs, and one or two edgy landowners. The best thing is to turn around and return the way you came. There is no access to the Hennickson's Connector Trail to Miller Canyon from this direction, although one could chance finding the road route all the way down to Los Padres Dam.

[Site Administrator]

* USFS trail #
* Parking: Tassajara Road at Chews Ridge
* Watersheds: Miller Fork Carmel River
* Junctions:
* Connects:
* Camps: Tin House?