ljwoodw - Dec 12, 2022 11:46 am Date Climbed: Dec 10, 2022
Long, wet walk
Thought we would escape the rain by going down to Ojai but the storm followed us there. We did the hike from Sisay Canyon anyway and got absolutely dumped on. We also couldn't see much of anything due to the fog layer. But the plants were very pretty and the area really feels remote and rugged. Would enjoy spending more time here, especially if we could get a view or two...
It seems a bit dramatic to describe the ridge as a "knife-edge". Even though we crossed it in gusty winds, it didn't feel uncomfortable, and I'm a big baby.
davidsanger - Nov 16, 2016 1:15 am Date Climbed: Oct 22, 2016
Steep and enjoyable
Long fire road approach, then the one steep section crossing the knife edge, which has eroded quite a bit from previous reports, and continuing up scree and rock until topping out on a pleasant summit plateau. You need to be careful on the 50 foot section which is most eroded – good foot placements but steep drops. All in all it looks worse than it is.
Fine view of the Channel Islands from the summit
trexkerry - Oct 30, 2016 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Oct 22, 2016
Fine hike
This is a nice hike, although largely exposed to the sun so be sure to plan accordingly. The hike is pleasant enough, leading up to much hyped knife edge section which turned out to be not much of a concern after all. A use trail goes below for the first half of this section, then if you just be sure to watch your foot placement on the knife edge it's hard to call this more than easy class 2. Yeah there is exposure if you fall but there are no tricky moves to make. Going up the very steep slope was much harder, the rock was loose and we tired quickly. Then there is a false summit to add another punch to the gut. On descent we didn't have the trouble we thought we might, and the knife edge was easily traversed.
mrchad9 - Jun 21, 2012 12:43 pm Date Climbed: Mar 31, 2012
Middle Lion
Bad weather in northern CA pushed me south to visit one of my remaining prominent peaks in CA. Nice walk (briefly) along the stream in Lion Canyon. Not much views due to clouds, but was above them much of the day... started raining on the way down. Bit of snow remained on north aspects.
AndyMac321 - Jan 13, 2012 2:36 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2012
Sespe Creek to Hines Peak
2 night backpack from Piedra Blanca Trailhead. Sespe Creek Trail, Red Reef Trail, Lion Canyon Trail. Trail journal at: http://journeytojmt.blogspot.com/2012/01/solo-through-sespe-to-hines-peak.html
Dundeel - Nov 11, 2011 2:13 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2011
Nordhoff Road
Got permit and hiked from the end of Nordhoff Road. Saddle below Hines is a little exposed but someone has improved it by cutting steps.
cab - Oct 10, 2011 10:13 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2011
Nordhoff Ridge Road
Got a permit and gate lock combination which was a minor hassle and drove up on Nordhoff Ridge Road. Climbed Topatopa Bluff which had incredible views, then over to Hines which is a fun scramble for the final climb. Finally, drove back down the road to Chief Peak to finish up a pretty easy day.
bechtt - Mar 21, 2010 11:23 pm Date Climbed: Mar 20, 2010
Hines, Topatopa, Chief
via Sisar Canyon. Perfect weather for a 30 miler.
Bob Burd - May 3, 2009 12:37 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2009
Via Siser Canyon
Heavily overcast skies, but stayed dry most of the day. Poor views from the summit. Downpour just before returning to the trailhead. Trip Report
kommish - May 22, 2006 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2006
Sisar Canyon Trail
via Sisar Canyon Trail was 4-6 inches of snow, very strange to hike in snow right in own backyard.
Rob - Feb 14, 2006 7:20 am Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2006
ljwoodw - Dec 12, 2022 11:46 am Date Climbed: Dec 10, 2022
Long, wet walkThought we would escape the rain by going down to Ojai but the storm followed us there. We did the hike from Sisay Canyon anyway and got absolutely dumped on. We also couldn't see much of anything due to the fog layer. But the plants were very pretty and the area really feels remote and rugged. Would enjoy spending more time here, especially if we could get a view or two...
It seems a bit dramatic to describe the ridge as a "knife-edge". Even though we crossed it in gusty winds, it didn't feel uncomfortable, and I'm a big baby.
davidsanger - Nov 16, 2016 1:15 am Date Climbed: Oct 22, 2016
Steep and enjoyableLong fire road approach, then the one steep section crossing the knife edge, which has eroded quite a bit from previous reports, and continuing up scree and rock until topping out on a pleasant summit plateau. You need to be careful on the 50 foot section which is most eroded – good foot placements but steep drops. All in all it looks worse than it is.
Fine view of the Channel Islands from the summit
trexkerry - Oct 30, 2016 11:31 pm Date Climbed: Oct 22, 2016
Fine hikeThis is a nice hike, although largely exposed to the sun so be sure to plan accordingly. The hike is pleasant enough, leading up to much hyped knife edge section which turned out to be not much of a concern after all. A use trail goes below for the first half of this section, then if you just be sure to watch your foot placement on the knife edge it's hard to call this more than easy class 2. Yeah there is exposure if you fall but there are no tricky moves to make. Going up the very steep slope was much harder, the rock was loose and we tired quickly. Then there is a false summit to add another punch to the gut. On descent we didn't have the trouble we thought we might, and the knife edge was easily traversed.
mrchad9 - Jun 21, 2012 12:43 pm Date Climbed: Mar 31, 2012
Middle LionBad weather in northern CA pushed me south to visit one of my remaining prominent peaks in CA. Nice walk (briefly) along the stream in Lion Canyon. Not much views due to clouds, but was above them much of the day... started raining on the way down. Bit of snow remained on north aspects.
AndyMac321 - Jan 13, 2012 2:36 pm Date Climbed: Jan 8, 2012
Sespe Creek to Hines Peak2 night backpack from Piedra Blanca Trailhead. Sespe Creek Trail, Red Reef Trail, Lion Canyon Trail. Trail journal at: http://journeytojmt.blogspot.com/2012/01/solo-through-sespe-to-hines-peak.html
Dundeel - Nov 11, 2011 2:13 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2011
Nordhoff RoadGot permit and hiked from the end of Nordhoff Road. Saddle below Hines is a little exposed but someone has improved it by cutting steps.
cab - Oct 10, 2011 10:13 am Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2011
Nordhoff Ridge RoadGot a permit and gate lock combination which was a minor hassle and drove up on Nordhoff Ridge Road. Climbed Topatopa Bluff which had incredible views, then over to Hines which is a fun scramble for the final climb. Finally, drove back down the road to Chief Peak to finish up a pretty easy day.
bechtt - Mar 21, 2010 11:23 pm Date Climbed: Mar 20, 2010
Hines, Topatopa, Chiefvia Sisar Canyon. Perfect weather for a 30 miler.
Bob Burd - May 3, 2009 12:37 am Date Climbed: Apr 10, 2009
Via Siser CanyonHeavily overcast skies, but stayed dry most of the day. Poor views from the summit. Downpour just before returning to the trailhead. Trip Report
kommish - May 22, 2006 5:18 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2006
Sisar Canyon Trailvia Sisar Canyon Trail was 4-6 inches of snow, very strange to hike in snow right in own backyard.
Rob - Feb 14, 2006 7:20 am Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2006
Sisar Canyon TrailIt's a long way.