Been promising my pal Mark a Wilderness Camp survey of Upper Rancho for months, probably a year. At risk of soon looking like a bum who cant keep his word I wanted to get this done before the gate slammed shut on the 2020 season. By a stroke of good luck my friends and I managed to get out there in the nick of time, beating the closure by a single day and thus keeping my reputation somewhat intact.
I doubt anyone who might actually read this rag isn't already familiar with Rancho Nuevo Trail in the Mighty Dick Smith Wilderness but by chance if that is you Bob Burtness describes "Rancho Nuevo as meaning new camp or new ranch in Spanish" also stating "this camp was so named because at one time the land here became "the new ranch" for part of the Reyes family" (Referring to the now drive up car camp from which the trail takes off in a westward direction following Rancho Nuevo Creek).
Lord, Wallis and Ward ready for take off. Yes I know these selfies might seem cheesy, however I realized after we lost our pal Hnatiw that I wished I had taken more group shots.
It was a cold and cloudy morning we met at the dirt turn out just off Hwy 33 which starts Road 7N04 and provides accesses to Rancho Nuevo and Tinta (N34° 42.400' W119° 22.673'). From there we jumped into Josh's jeep to cross the Cuyama and ride the next few miles to the trailhead. (High clearance 4WD/AWD recommended). It's great that Calduc offered up the jeep as I get in trouble every time I bring my wife's Highlander home beat up with more of what Craig calls "Mohave Pinstripes."
Last July 2019, volunteers (my self included) were out here working the lower portion of Rancho Nuevo. We cleared brush and removed hazard trees up until the junction with Deal Trail at just under two miles. This portion seemed to be in just as good if not better shape than we left it. Being this late in the season most of the tall grasses have died back allowing for even easier travel. Through here the canyon is quite picturesque, large oaks and firs are aplenty with the main attraction (I find) being the elaborate wind eroded rock formations.
Deal Junction Camp (N34° 41.366' W119° 24.927')
As the name would imply Deal Junction Camp sits right at the Rancho Nuevo/Deal Trail intersection. This former cowboy camp is a small site with single steel grate stove and not much shade. Upon arrival water adjacent the camp was mostly stagnant with a small trickle. Though I reckon that's not the case now after last nights big storm.
After reading the most current reports on HLP I was expecting the trail after Deal to be worse off than it actually was. Sure it could use some brushing and work on the crossing's, also there are a handful of downed trees across the trail (all easy to circumnavigate) but for the most part it was easy to follow. I'd say the most annoying thing was all that Rose Thorn surrounding the camp. With a little love next season from volunteers this trail could easily be pristine.
URN sign install courtesy Troop 111. Thanks men great work.
Upper Rancho Nuevo Camp (N34° 41.170' W119° 27.640')
In 1974 Dennis Gagnon writes "Upper Rancho Nuevo is nestled deep in a remote canyon on a streamside flat, this camp is flanked by steep canyon walls where big cone spruce, pinon pine, yucca, and chaparral find their home. Water is available in the wet months, when the surrounding peaks are frequently dusted by winter snows. Facilities are limited to four stoves and two tables.
This we know of the former facilities is no longer the case as years of fire, flood and lack of maintenance have taken it's toll. Nonetheless it's still a nice little camp (when it's not getting trashed by hunters) with great access to explore even fur beyond into the less traveled, wildly remote Dick Smith Wilderness.
Lucky for us after we had just about finished all our business at URN the sun broke through the clouds reveling beautiful blue skies and ensuring dry weather for the remainder of the trip. Happy with the prospects of no more rain we decided not to head straight back, instead opting to poke around deal canyon for a bit. Glad we did as the improved lighting provided limitless good photo opportunities. Attached below the map is a one way GPX and KMZ file (from the trailhead to Upper Rancho Nuevo Camp) available for download. Though not sure it will do you much good until next year as the gate for the season closed yesterday December 28th. Anyone wishing to visit now will either have to walk the extra miles from the gate and or make the longer haul up from Bear Canyon or the Deal-Connector.
Deal Canyon
