Rice Canyon

Rice Canyon Meadow

As most of you know I have spent that last month and half cooped up in doors nursing a broken fibula. Facing the prospect of spending another weekend on the couch is out of the question. Too say I'm going a little stir crazy is an understatement. While my leg is definitely not ready for prime time I feel like its good enough to do a little local hike. So with that being said Haylee, Dan, lacy dog and myself are going to do a little exploring in Rice Canyon. This spot is literally ten minutes away from my house and has been on my radar for a long time. Not usually wanting to spend my weekends to close to home is probably why I have not gotten around to hiking it yet, so now is the perfect time to give it a go. Plus I want to test out a few new products, one being the new Ruff wear dog pack I got for Lacy, my new Outdoor Research Gaiters, and a bamboo performance technology shirt made by Tasc clothing company, that I hope to be a good long sleeve summer hiker.

You start this Hike from the East Canyon TrailHead Located at 23801 The Old Rd Newhall Ca 91321

Just south of the more popular Towsley Canyon Trail. East Canyon is part of a major wildlife corridor in Santa Clarita. It's a service road which is still used by Park Rangers, fire trucks and service vehicles. Parking here is on MRCA property and has a 5 dollar fee. Make sure you pay the iron ranger to avoid a nasty ticket. I did notice quite a few cars parked along the old Road which might be the way around paying any parking fees. Dogs are welcomed but must be leashed.

Follow East Canyon Trail for about a half  mile, at the junction stay to the right and merge onto Rice Canyon Trail.

Rice Canyon becomes a single track, hiking only trail. The first mile is a gentle slope through the Canyon with multiple stream crossing's. However this late in July the streams were dried up. This would be a much prettier hike in early spring when water is flowing and the scenery is greener. 

One really nice feature of this hike is the amount of shade the Canyon provides. Definitely a plus in this Brutal summer heat. We left the Trailhead around 7:45am  and by the time we were leaving an hour and a half later it was already 90 degrees outside. 

At just past the 1 mile mark the trail starts to climb. The rest of the Hike is up hill. (not very difficult) Leading you through the grasses and chaparral filled Canyon walls. Here you get some really nice expansive views of the the surrounding Santa Susana mountain range.

This is an out and back the way you came route. So once you reach the ending point at a large Valley Oak  that's your cue to head back. The trail does some branching off at times up toward the top so you might find yourself exploring through little spur trails. Poison Oak was present along the main stem of the trail but easily avoidable if you stay on track and don't venture off trail. The ticks were out in full force, I pulled about 6 of them off Lacy. Wear proper clothing and use repellents. It was really nice to finally get back out there after all my time off. All the gear we tested performed really well so I'm extra happy about that. Our total mileage for the day was 3. I will definitely revisit the area next spring when the creek is flowing. As an alternate you can also Hike for many miles along East Canyon Trail which would have required a left at the junction instead of the right we made. With options to visit O'melveny Park and Weldon Canyon.

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Only a few hundred feet not near as steep as it looks

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