It looks like I'm going to be up in the Paso Robles / Nacimiento area this weekend (rough GPS coordinates are here) and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on trails to run in the area. None of the guidebooks I have show much around there, and Google's not much help either (nor is the fact that I don't really know the area). GPS coordinates for trailheads and ends as well as lengths would be a plus if you've got 'em. Thanks!
Trails in & around Paso Robles / Nacimiento?
- Thread starter casm
- Start date
RobertF
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Santa Barbara
If you want an all day (depending on numerous lookout stops that delay the pace) scenic dirt forest road - coastal loop (nothing challenging unless you're afraid of hieghts) that few travel, starting from Nacimiento go north towards Jolon and take the Nacimiento - Fergusion road west to the summit and turn south on the dirt Coast Ridge Road 32S02 and run the spine of the mountains for around 20 miles through oaks and pines with the coast below you to the west and the edge of Hunter Liggett on your east. When you come to the 23S01, Los Burros Road, aka Willow Creek Road, turn west, and begin the 14 mile desent to the coast. You will pass pipes, construction materials and cabins here that are mining holdouts from the 1890's gold rush town of Mansfield still being worked. There are signs to go slow by them as to not dust them out on the steep dirt road. The views are something and it dumps you onto the Old Coast Highway just above Gorda. Go south down the coast (lots of places to see the sea lions) to Cambria (snacks, gas, window shopping) and turn east up the winding old Santa Rosa Creek Road about 12 miles and turn north up the soon dirt Cypress Mountain Road up over the coast mountains again and down past the Klau cinnabar mine on the left and the Buena Vista further along on your right (1870's - 1960's) and turn right, east, on paved Chimney Rock Road. The 1880's cemetary of Adelaida is near here. After a few miles, the G14 junction, Nacimiento Lake Drive, turn left to return to Nacimiento.
Great drive for the family in a XJ, no real challenge, but keep count of how many deer, wild turkey, bobcat, sea lions, and if your lucky, mountain lion you see.
Los Padres Forest map and AAA map for the area will help.
Great drive for the family in a XJ, no real challenge, but keep count of how many deer, wild turkey, bobcat, sea lions, and if your lucky, mountain lion you see.
Los Padres Forest map and AAA map for the area will help.
Thanks for the pointer - unfortunately (well, not really 
) I had zero intarweb access where I was, so didn't see it before I left. As it happens, I ended up spending the entire weekend on a Jet Ski for the first time in 15 years - God, have they changed. 80mph on the lake both completely ruled and scared the living hell out of me
) I had zero intarweb access where I was, so didn't see it before I left. As it happens, I ended up spending the entire weekend on a Jet Ski for the first time in 15 years - God, have they changed. 80mph on the lake both completely ruled and scared the living hell out of me