Fish Canyon (Castaic)

Spring 2018 lots of water in the creek

Often times when I have nothing to do, instead of watching TV I will randomly open up maps looking for new places to explore. I pay particular attention to less traveled canyon drainages that may have or at one time had water. You would be surprised at the amount of secret hidden places and rich historical sites that these drainages can provide. Finding Fish Canyon trail was one of these times. Granted this is not a very secret place but it is much less crowded than the more popular well know Internet sites, its close to home (basically our backyard) and  has become my wife's favorite local trail. Water here is seasonal but as you can see from the photo above we had plenty of it. Spring and the the cooler months of fall will be the best time to visit. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed. 

View of Castaic Lake

To get to the Trailhead from Santa Clarita take the the 5 Freeway North and exit Templin Hwy just above Castaic Lake. Make a right and follow Templin Hwy until the Road Ends and Park Here. Pass the gate and head downhill on the old Paved road. Shortly you will cross a footbridge and around 0.75 miles in you come to a junction. Here you turn left follow the old dirt road and stay left again at the next Y junction leading you into Fish Canyon. 

First Creek crossing near the junction

From here on you follow a well established trail for the next few miles along the Creek through fish Canyon in the Sierra Pelona Mountain Range. Oaks and sycamores provide shade in certain spots and the hiking is very mellow and easy going. The Narrow canyon is very scenic with interesting geology and there are lots of spots off the main trail to access the creek and do a little boulder hopping, exploring and or lounging in the cool clear water. As you can see from the pictures below long ago this was a road which has since been washed out and closed to any automotive traffic.

At around 3 miles in you reach The Abandoned Cienega Car Camp. Closed sometime I believe in the early 80's. While not much is left of this place besides the unmaintained pit toilets the Camp does make a great rest spot or turnaround point for the Day. Cienega is also used as a backpacking location from longer multi day trips. From here round trip back to the car is about 6.4 miles which makes it a good family friendly Hike. If  you're feeling adventurous just a couple miles further north up Fish Canyon you Can Explore the Old Piano Box prospect mine. (I marked it on the map for you below). Named for the Piano that was said to be brought up there by the miners. Also this mine is basically near the entrance to the Amazingly scenic and beautiful Fish Canyon Narrows. With walls towering over a hundred feet its a site to behold. Get out there and go check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Download GPX File (GPS Unit)

Download KMZ File (Google Earth)