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3-D map of the Ortega OHV Trail, courtesy of Google Earth, looking north-west. Highway 33 is at the bottom. The red line is Dry Lakes Ridge, and purple is 23W07 that goes through the Matilija Wilderness.
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The trail is rated "Most Difficult." That's not promising!
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It's a little rocky at the bottom, but nothing bad
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This tree is a few feet from the trail
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Must have been a fire here years ago. The Forest Service might want to look into putting in a new sign.
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The trail is getting a little more rocky, but still not too bad
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The main trail, just right of straight ahead, is pretty bad, but people have found a new route to the left, around the big rock
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Once we start to climb up the switchbacks, the trail is much better
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However, the top of the switchbacks are a little chewed up
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Now it's a little rocky and loose, but still okay
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The rocks are getting bigger
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Beyond the switchbacks, the trail surface is really good
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On the north side of the ridge, the trail is shaded and a little overgrown in spots
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This part looks like it would be a lot of fun!
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Those rocks are too tough for me. Fortunately this is a waterfall and not the trail!
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From a trail spur, we can see the lake behind Matilija Dam to the south. It's just to the right of dead center.
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Zoomed in, the lake and even the dam, are easier to see
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On the other side of the 33 are switchbacks that lead to Nordhoff Ridge Rd
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Back to the trail, it looks really good here...
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...This would be trouble, but I don't think I would break anything climbing over those rocks...
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