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A nice 4.5-mile loop through Ventura River Preserve.


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Map Key

4.5

Miles

7.3

KM

96%

Runnable

1,099' 335 m

High

697' 212 m

Low

434' 132 m

Up

434' 132 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views

Camping, hunting, shooting, fishing, fires, motorized vehicles, alcohol, smoking, and events are not permitted in the preserve.

Overview

This run is fairly moderate; it affords runners nice views and passes through a historic orange grove.

Need to Know

River crossing right at the beginning of the run. Most of the time this is passable via rock hopping or wading, but occasionally after a storm it can be dangerous to attempt to cross.

Description

This run begins at the Oso trailhead and starts off with a river crossing. The Ventura River only flows about half the year and typically can be crossed by rock hopping or wading. Occasionally, after a storm, the river is impassable and attempting to cross is not recommended.

This trail continues south through an old orange grove to a fork; turn right to head west along Rice Canyon Trail. Cross Canal Road and a bridge over the canal. This trail follows Rice Creek, which is shaded by oak and sycamore trees. As you pass through a gate, you'll enter Los Padres National Forest.

The trail gradually ascends while offering nice views of the Ojai Valley. As the trail turns south, it merges with a narrow dirt road; crossing a cattle grate brings you back into the preserve. Continue on the trail past El Nido Meadow and descend into Wills Canyon over a footbridge and to an intersection with Wills Canyon Trail.

Turn left to head east on Wills Canyon Trail, which parallels Wills Creek. Descend through the canyon past the intersection with Fern Grotto Trail; there is a bench at the mouth of the canyon that offers a nice view of the Ventura River watershed. Cross Canal Road and at the intersection with River Bluff Trail (also called Orange Grove Trail), turn left to head north through the historic orange grove. Continue north past the intersection with Rice Canyon Trail, cross the Ventura River and return to the trailhead.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.

Flora & Fauna

Historic orange groves, as well as shady oak and sycamore trees.

History & Background

Ventura River Preserve was originally known as Rancho El Nido which was planted with orange trees in the 1920s. In the early 2000s, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy raised money to purchase the area and opened the preserve to public use in 2003.

Contacts

Shared By:

John McKinney

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 6 votes

#3737

Overall
  4.0 from 6 votes
5 Star
17%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#503

in California

#3,737

Overall
26 Views Last Month
3,463 Since Jul 25, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
67%
17%
17%
0%

Photos

The view inside the Nature Conservancy area of the trail. Just beautiful!
Nov 5, 2017 near Meiners…, CA

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Sep 7, 2018
Molly Jo Stanley
Beautiful Run 9mi

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