Topatopa Bluff Loop Hike on August 22, 2009

We hiked from the east end of Nordhoff Ridge Road up to the top of Topatopa Bluff, south to the Topatopa Bluff - Last Chance Connector Trail (AKA Poodle-Dog Bush Trail), north up the Last Chance Trail and west on the Red Reef Trail back to the start.
Photos of VenturaCountyTrails.Org. Click on an image to see it full size. Thanks to Camille and Claudia for sharing their photos!

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That's where we're going, the Last Chance Trail along the lower flank of Hines Peak. But first, there are two more streams to find our way across
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We had lunch at a burned-out camp
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The new growth isn't as high as the burned chaparral yet
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View from the Last Chance Trail
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The Last Chance Trail is in much better condition!
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View from the Last Chance Trail
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On the Last Chance Trail, with the Red Reef Trail visible high on the ridge at the left
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Looking back down the Last Chance Trail
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Hines Peak is high above us and it looks pretty steep. Good thing we're not trying to get to the top!
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Piles of skree at the base of Hines Peak
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Looking back down the Last Chance Trail
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Looking ahead on the Last Chance Trail
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The close we get to Hines Peak, the steeper it looks
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Our hands are dirty from the charred chaparral
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Almost up to the Red Reef Trail
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In the distance we can see the cliffs of Santa Paula Creek Canyon, with Santa Paula Peak behind and to the left
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We made it to Red Reef Trail
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We can see the Topatopa mountains peeking over the ridge

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