Towsley Road Out and Back

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Wildlife

This route makes for an easy out-and-back along the paved road and dirt trail with wonderful views of the canyon and plenty of wildflowers during the spring season. This family friendly path is wide and well maintained and is open from dawn to dusk.

Turn around when you reach The Narrows between two steep cliffs. This is where the trail criss-crosses a creek (flowing only during the rainy season).

Great for beginning trail running, it does have couple of small grades to challenge you, but otherwise is a nice and flat trail with few rocks along the way.

This route is very popular amongst the local runners and morning/evening strollers; this is a great place to get away from the metropolis and get into the wilderness.

Whether you're hiking, mountain biking, or trail running, you'll find this part of the Ed Davis Park as a great place to start in your quest. Quarter of a mile in the trail, you'll come across Towsley Lodge with beautiful green lawn perfect for picnic or rest. There are well-maintained restrooms by the Towsley Lodge.

Most people turn around at The Narrows pass where the trail criss-crosses the creek—since the Don Mullally Trail starts climbing quickly. Also, if you have kids, in the rainy season, the creek does have ankle deep water which may make it undesirable to cross. However, if you do go past The Narrows, you'll be rewarded with views of soaring mountains.

Along the way you’ll see California Poppy, Humboldt Lily, Chocolate Lily, Plummer’s Mariposa Lily, Sticky Monkey Flower, Yellow Mariposa Lily, Wild Peony, Wild Hyacinth, Grape Soda Lupine, Elegant Clarkia, Scarlet Bugler, Hairy-leaf Ceanothus, Purple Sae, California Wild Rose, Indian Paintbrush, Yerba Santa, Mulefat (female) and Mexican Elderberry.

You may spot Ground Squirrel, Western Fence Lizard, California King Snake, California Quail, Brush Rabbit, Long-tailed Weasel, Coast Horned Lizard, Red-Tailed Hawk, Turkey Vultures, Mule Deers, etc.

Near the turnaround, you'll find the remnants of the oil industry (metal scrapes).