The Sisquoc Loop is a classic Los Padres backpacking route in the San Rafael Wilderness. Starting at Nira Campground, you first travel along the Manzana trail, then along the Sisquoc Trail, and then again on the Manzana trail before reaching the end of the journey. The route loops around the Hurricane Deck which is one of the iconic features in ... Read more
The Sisquoc Loop is a classic Los Padres backpacking route in the San Rafael Wilderness. Starting at Nira Campground, you first travel along the Manzana trail, then along the Sisquoc Trail, and then again on the Manzana trail before reaching the end of the journey. The route loops around the Hurricane Deck which is one of the iconic features in the area and can be completed in either direction (Clockwise or Counterclockwise).
The Sisquoc Trail Travels along the Sisquoc River and is a designated Wild and Scenic River. It is a rugged, natural, and free-flowing river which you cross many times as you make your way.
A true backcountry route and very remote, there can be bushwhacking, poison oak, and areas where the trail has been washed out and moved due to the power of storms. The primary difficulties of this route are heat (easily 100+ in the summer), water availability (even though you travel along a creek and river, it can be unreliable at certain times of year), and route-finding (crossing the creek/river and finding the trail on the other side can be tricky).
This is a beautiful route that clocks in at just over 45 miles with somewhere around 6000 elevation gain.
Howard Cohen has a good post about his trip: http://blog.gravityh.com/wordpress/running-the-sisquoc-loop/
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