Chaparral Crest Trail to El Nido Trailhead

Overview: This Chaparral Crest Trail to El Nido Trailhead is about 2.4 miles long (each way) and located near Ojai, California. The trail is great for hiking and normally takes 2 hours (round trip) more or less. This guide takes you from the end of a 2.4 outing, back to one of 3 available trail heads. This is part of a reall great Ojai Land Conservancy trail system along the Ventura River west of the City of Ojai.

Tips: The El Nido trail head parking lot is at 34.449649,-119.287365 (you can cut and paste those #'s into Google maps). Otherwise, take US 101 to State Hwy 33 North. Turn left (West) at the first sign of State Hwy 150. Take State Hwy 150 less than 1 mile and turn right on Rice Rd. Take Rice Rd North through 3 STOP signs and the trail head will be on your left about 200 yards after the 3rd STOP sign.

This is one of 3 trail heads (that I know of) that serve miles of Ojai Land Conservancy trails.

Half of this guide's trail is in the shade and half in the sun. Summer's in Ojai can be 100+ degrees in the shade. So, plan carefully in the Summer.

Poison oak is in the area. However, if you follow the safety rules (dogs on leash, stay on trails) you will not encounter any as the trail teams keep the trail clear of this nuisance. Fox, Hawks, Rabbits, Lizards, Blue Jays, Finches, etc. are regularly seen.

The part of the trail that crosses the Ventura River can be up to 12" deep with slow moving water in the late Winter and Spring. The river is typically dry Summer-Fall.