Ojai, which gets its name from the Chumash word ‘awhay, meaning moon. Although the Chumash Indians had no idea when they named this place that it would be within spittin… For the northern access point, go 27.4 miles north of Ojai on Highway 33 and turn left on rough dirt road up Cherry Canyon. Ojai is a beautiful haven hidden in the Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles and east of Santa Barbara. The trail ends at a seasonally open road off Highway 33, but, since we did not have a car waiting for us on the other end, we decided to turn back at what we think is the next to last campsite, Upper Matilija, 5.5 miles from the gate. The road continues through the ranch. There were a decent amount of people there (on a Saturday), so getting there early is a good idea! Would be awesome in the summer when it’s hot since there’s tons of little swimming holes. A password will be e-mailed to you. Southern access point is the same trailhead as the Murietta Trail (24W07). Lots of great campsites. Travel 3.0 miles to the trailhead at the ridge top. All four camps offer shaded streamside sites. The posts were placed in the road itself, causing a violation notice to be issued by Ventura County. Parking is very limited, so arrive early on weekends! Leading off to the right after the second stream crossing, the trail enters the wilderness and follows the year-round creek. Whether you are in town for the day from nearby Los Angeles or Santa Barbara or planning an anniversary or birthday celebration for two or looking for a group activity for your company, yoga retreat, wedding party, family reunion or team building, Trails by Potter is the guiding company for you, whether it is for hiking, biking, rock climbing or tennis! Downloading the map helped though. North Fork Matilija Trail starts from the trailhead in Matilija Canyon and follows Upper North Fork Matilija Creek almost in its entirety, passing through several trail camps before climbing out of the canyon and arriving at the trailhead along Cherry Creek Road. Good trail and lots of camping. I noted the map below with a waypoint on where you can expect the better conditions. And then enjoy the "main" falls on the West fork. North Fork Matilija Trail is a 13.5 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Ojai, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. We did not get very far, about 40 minutes in, give or take because it’s very easy to get lost. Plenty of water as well! And even with the map, I ended up going off trail a few times. about 9 months ago. The Los Padres Forest Association has been leading trail projects along the Matilija Falls Trail for the past two years trying to get this new trail open across private property. The 9-mile (14.5 km) trail to Matilija Falls has an elevation gain of 950 ft (290 m) and is moderate to difficult. We appreciate the landowner’s willingness to work with us to keep the trail open, and we will continue to ensure that public lands in Matilija Canyon remain accessible. Matilija Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall known for its swimming holes, is located deep in the wilderness at the end of a difficult 9-mile (14 km) roundtrip hike. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/north-fork-matilija-trail-23w07 My husband and I did an overnight backpacking trip the other weekend and absolutely loved it. Definitely going to be back and highly recommend! Easy to lose at creek crossings or even random side trails. Lots of cool campsites along the way. Not recently maintained. Best trail so far!!! will go again!!!! Give yourself plenty of time, it is worth while to stop and take in the views. The falls were beautiful! Don't say no to it. Fishing in Matilija creek is possible at certain times of the year. The trail has two trailheads, one of which is roughly an hour from Santa Barbara. The good news … The shifting and often-concealed trail eventually leads to the Three Falls of the Matilija, where the West Branch of the Matilija enters the canyon at the right through a two-cataract waterfall, and the main North Fork tumbles over a calcite ledge into a deep green pool. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. As for the hike itself, for me it was longer than the 8.8mi quoted here - more like 10.5mi (I didn’t get THAT lost). Matilija Falls Trail Matilija Falls: I struggled with a label for this post. A real great and fun trail with beautiful scenery. I guess it has been settled that the newly worked section of trail up the infamous Matilija Canyon will now be called the Matilija Falls Trail. Fall foliage in Matilija Creek, Los Padres National Forest. Water was flowing great with numerous small waterfalls with some nice pools. Once you pass through the other side of the ranch land, the path narrows to a single trail. Second time on this trail, the views are spectacular. A popular hiking trail through Ventura County's backcountry may soon be open to the public without fear of trespassing. We arrived on a Friday around 10:30 and found a parking spot by the trailhead, but it was much more crowded when we hiked out on Saturday. Have to veer off path. Remember to stay on the road or it is considered trespassing. Will hear it from main trail. Also the water was crystal clear and felt great to jump into the water holes along the way. Which has a bbq under some oaks across the stream. Ojai, Calif. – Today, Keep Access to Matilija Falls Open – a coalition of local conservation organizations and trail users – filed a lawsuit in Ventura County Superior Court seeking to restore public access to Matilija Falls, a popular recreation destination in the Los Padres National Forest. Terrific winter backpacking trip with a small kid. All in all, the trip there was beautiful massive mountains. about 11 months ago. The owner of the land up there has a dog that he let's run around wild up there. Parking is hard as well. Got sand in my eye from the wind so beware of that as well. There is tons of scrambling through the river bed though, so you’ll want to be somewhat fit/agile for that. Matilija Trail is in the Matilija Wilderness. There's lots to explore on the ropes and scrambling above the falls, and it was nice to have plenty of time without worrying about a hike all the way out on a short winter day. About 2 miles from the trailhead, the road crosses a tiny creek and narrows to become a trail. Didn’t make it all the way to the end of the trail, it was already hard to follow. There is a fun rope climb to the best swimming hole at the top. Make sure to check out the North fork waterfall, which is just 100 yards or so beyond the fork. Local conservationists have swung into action, forming Keep Access to Matilija Falls Open, a group intent on preserving public access to the falls. ojaihotsprings.com. Matilija Canyon Trail IS OPEN and accessible, but the first couple miles follow a road cutting through private lands. About 1.5 to 2 miles from Middle Matilija Camp the trail opens up and once again becomes easy to follow the whole rest of the way up to Maple Camp. In the Ojai Ranger District, the Matilija Wilderness is 12 miles from the town of Ojai. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN Unless you’ve been living in a cave or been too involved with the Holidays then you’ve no doubt heard about the latest Government Shutdown which started at 9pm on Friday December 21. I wore layers (tank, long sleeve, nanopuff) and kept most of them on throughout the whole hike. Matilija Creek Trail is a 8.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Ojai, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. It's open and accessible, but it follows a road cutting through private land the first few miles. Ecotopia is currently managing the Ojai Hotsprings. One of the most beautiful trails we’ve ever done; however with a downloaded map and only having gone about .5 miles out of our way, we ended at 11.8 miles not 8.8. A group called Keep Access to Matilija Falls Open is filing suit in Ventura County Superior Court over the public’s access to a popular trail. Day #915 * Hike #1153 * New Track #901 Matilija Falls - Ojai, CA Sunday May 19, 2013 My Tripometer: 4 Hourss * 9.75 Miles * +1200 Feet The good thing is I found the limited parking seemed to keep the trail from getting overly crowded. One of the best hikes I’ve been on in southern California. The whole hike is on private property which is a downside. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, fishing, horses, and backpacking and is best used from May until November. clock. A switchback section after middle Matilija is real narrow and sketchy. pin. It's shepherd mix. Nice trail. I wore my approach shoes and was happy to have the extra traction, made it easy to hop from rock to rock. The trail is amazing. Great backpacking trip. There are 2 hiking trails; 1 trail has campsites along it. A wonderful six mile hike. Chaparral is prevalent with poppies plentiful in springtime. That's a trigger as it was beaten while the owner said no. pin. Lots of people on the weekends. Nice trail, not easy to find sometimes From the gate you'll reach Matilija Camp after 1.48 miles. Back to Login Register clock. The Forest Service and private individuals have kept “the way” open to Matilija Falls via Middle Matilija Creek, but you have to be determined in order to … The Matilija Trail follows the stream bed of Matilija Creek into the wilderness; however, the more remote sections of the trail are unmaintained and have been washed out in places. Please check with the Ojai Ranger District before your visit. Rarely saw other hikers so it was a nice serene hike with soothing sounds of creek when you approach it. When you get to the private property, there is a "no trail" sign, but that is the way to go. From here, stay left and continue on the trail passing through a wooden gate labeled “Blue Heron Ranch – Private”. Hope to do this one again someday! For the next mile, the trail stays on the left side of Matilija Creek, passing several small campsites and awesome swimming holes. very quiet. Matilija Lake is situated nearby to Matilija Springs, close to Matilija Dam. And FYI, the winds get very strong there. Would love to come back and backpack / camp, but it really does make a perfect day hike! Although Matilija Falls is on public land, part of the trail is on land owned by Shull “Buzz” Bonsall Jr., who wants to keep hikers off his property. Weather was great aside from being VERY windy. Such amazing rock formations, beautiful creeks, and fun waterfalls. it is beautiful, and one of my favorite spots out there!!!! Very overgrown starting at mile 2. Beautiful views be prepared to get your feet wet there are lots of crossings. Trail gets over grown after the first valley in spots, but still doable and marked w carins all the way to Middle Majtilla camp. It's critical that you respect the land and their property in turn! The dog has attacked and bitten several people including my husband. Lots of people at the trailhead on a Sunday morning. I agree with terms & conditions. Water falls were beautiful with a good amount of water for this time of year. Without the right footwear you could easily roll an ankle here. There are several free campgrounds in Matilija Wilderness in case you decide to stay overnight in the park. Matilija Hot Springs, a primitive rock tub near the creek is also a popular destination for hikers and backpackers, although it can be closed for restoration at times. Please do not park inappropriately, as users have reported being ticketed here. Legally, there is a public easement over the land in question. I noticed there were boulders and rocks marked with a black circle which made it easier to follow the trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is accessible year-round. Array of colors, wildflowers, varying terrain, can get rocky-rated as medium but not hard. It was a bit windy at night, so make sure to secure your things. Would plan on getting there no later than 8am in the future to be sure. Some know Ojai for its expansive vineyards and farmland, but to those who reading this profile, Ojai is exciting because of its untapped and raw natural beauty. Nice lil overnight mission (this recording was just one way sans day hike). The hike-in is easy, with a few lovely campsites 2-3.5 miles in on the right side of the creek. It was really breathtaking with the panoramic views!! Didn’t see any hikers this far in. Friday, December 13, 2019 at 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM PST. Landowner closes popular trail to Matilija Falls (2010) Matilija Canyon Trails & Trailheads. I personally wouldn't want to take a full pack up past the waterfalls because the ropes + 30 pounds of gear seems a little unpleasant. Check out Middle Matilija, Upper Matilija, and Maple camps. Hosted by Los Padres Forest Association. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. However, that’s when it got very confusing and the trail disappeared. The elevation is barely noticeable. Dayhiked beyond to the falls but beware the trail gets progressively worse after mile 4, I would have pushed thru w my gear, and camped at maple, but got a bit of poison oak and didn’t have pants w me so turned back. Water access everywhere. Also trek poles were handy to push aside p oak and bushes poking into the trail (that ticks hang on the end of and try to catch a ride). The fact that the Matilija Wilderness area is not in the Zaca Fire closure area also seemed to indicate that it was open to hikers. (I met one of the owners at the gate, she confirmed that.) My girlfriend and I attempted this trail yesterday. Next time I’ll bring backwoods pants and push thru. The first part of the hike is pretty dry and easy to follow, but was a little more difficult to follow halfway through. Matilija Trail is in the Matilija Wilderness. Source of this article - Los Padres Forest Watch, April 12, 2010. Landowner Shuts Off Public Access to Popular Matilija Falls Trail near Ojai. Be careful if you have children with you. I would love to return back to find the three water falls. Lots of different water spots to cross through. Photo by Luke Williams Matilija Creek trail head has had a long history of land disputes between the landowner and the national forest service. Majority of walk is along charming stream, cool camping spot about a mile in. ForestWatch is Working to Keep the Trail Open, and is Looking for Anyone Who Used This Trail Prior to 1972 A group of conservationists and hikers called Keep Access to Matilija Falls Open (KAMFO) filed suit against the landowners Monday in Ventura County Superior Court in an attempt to restore public access to the hotly contested trail, which crosses through private property en route to the famous falls. Trail is in good shape to middle Matilija camp. Fun day of rock hopping and creek crossing. Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM PDT. I drove from LA and arrived at 9am on a Saturday in February and got the last parking spot. Further up the canyon are three more camps: Middle Matilija (4.1 miles), Upper Matilija (5.7 miles) and Maple (7.5 miles). After another 1.6 miles, the trail ends at a seasonally open dirt road that leads north down Cherry Canyon to Highway 33. I ran into some people who were very disoriented and confused and were planning in giving up / turning back had they not run into me. Hosted by Los Padres Forest Association and Los Padres ForestWatch. Remember to stay on the road or it is considered trespassing. There is a recent lawsuit filed to officially keep the trail open. Matilija Lake Matilija Lake is a water feature in Ventura County and has an elevation of 1129 feet. It's open and accessible, but it follows a road cutting through private land the first few miles. We were falling the trail that goes straight but when we saw a couple and asked them if we were going in the right direction to the waterfall, they said yes but that it was 7 miles up and if we made a right turn and go in the direction they came from, we would be at another waterfall in 25 minutes and so we did. From here to Maple camp the trail is overgrown and sometimes hard to find. Read his full response here. News Home Page Home Page. Make sure to take a right and head down toward the oak grove shortly after the trail narrows. 5 reviews of North Fork Matilija Creek Trail "I liked this trail. Scenes were breath-taking! The beautiful Matilija Canyon and Falls near Ojai is in risk of being closed to the public by the landowner that owns the land that hikers cross to ac There are rock sculptures and spray painted circles marking the trail, but having the map downloaded really helped. At least half of the "trail" is just scrambling on rocks along the creek, but it's fun and the views are next level. Easy to lose the trail at creek crossings but if you follow the creek you’ll find it again. The new Matilija Falls Trail is taking shape and one of the LPFA’s big initiatives for 2019! The day hiking on to the waterfalls is glorious. If you don't find parking at the trailhead, you may be required to park up to 5 miles away, as there is no parking along the road leading to the trailhead. As others have said, be sure to download the map. Really pretty and worth it! I would suggest to download the map, even though you only have to follow the river going up, it can get a bit tricky. Found several ticks on us too. Robert Evans takes a picture along the trail. First half was easy, a little overgrown before reaching the rocky parts. Ok to enter respectfully thru private property per signage. The Matilija Canyon Trail, closed since the Spring of 2010, is open again for hiking. 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