Nordhoff Peak via Gridley Trail in Los Padres National Forest, CA

Hike Nordhoff Peak via Gridley Trail Los Padres National Forest, CA

Class 1 14.4 miles 3200 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Apr 27, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Nordhoff Peak via Gridley Trail GPX Track

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Located just outside of Ojai CA, the Gridley Trail serves as a boring, well-maintained trail switchbacking from the wealthy suburban outskirts of town up to the crest of the Topatopa Mountains. It seems to be a pretty popular hike with a gradual grade and decent views looking toward the coast. Chris and I parked at the trailhead, which is just any parking you can find along Gridley Road or the cul-de-sac at its terminus. We picked up the well-marked Gridley Trail, which leads through the typical brushy landscape. The start of the hike is the rockiest section of trail, the majority of the hike either on an old dirt road or a well-graded singletrack. It's also the only shade for the outing.

Keeping right at the first junction, we were now along a flatter and much less rocky portion of hiking, a dirt road that wraps along the foothills. We passed rows of fruit-bearing trees, and upon further inspection, we were delighted to learn the chunky fruits were avocados! We didn't pluck any since they're on private property. In fact, if you deviate from the main Gridley Trail at all you'll be on private property, but signs make it clear where not to go. We also passed a little fruit stand that used the honor system to drop a few bucks for fresh oranges. Chris joked that the reason signs posted at the trailhead warning to "take your wallet or it WILL be stolen" were a ploy to help fund this little fruit-selling business.

The Gridley Trail eventually narrowed from being a dirt road into a proper trail as it wrapped in and out of drainages, ascending at the same casual grade. Fortunately, the wet winter meant lots of greenery and wildflowers, but the boredom crept in early on since we could see Nordhoff Peak far above and the unchanging slope that awaited us. We wondered why the trail wasn't built next to the creek within Gridley Canyon just below us rather than along this lackluster slope, but whatever. There's really not much else to say about the Gridley Trail, since it just mindlessly winds around the slopes, forming switchbacks that barely get any more steep. Along the way we passed two flowing water sources, the first of which was accompanied by a historic trough that collects water from a spring.

Eventually we reached Camino Cielo, the road winding along the crest of Nordhoff Ridge. I loved the views to the north, gorgeous hilly mountains stretching far away. The road was closed due to flooding, so no cars passed us as we followed it southwest. Nordhoff Peak sits at the top of a short spur road, and has a rickety metal fire tower where no sign prohibited access. The Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands lay to the south, Reyes Peak and Thorn Point to the north.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Nordhoff Peak
4485 ft
685 rise

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Starting along the Gridley Trail.
Starting along the Gridley Trail.
The trail is shady at first.
The trail is shady at first.
It then meets a dirt road and slowly ascends, wrapping along the foothills.
It then meets a dirt road and slowly ascends, wrapping along the foothills.
The trail becomes a bit more narrow, but still ascends at a low grade.
The trail becomes a bit more narrow, but still ascends at a low grade.
Gridley Canyon below on the right.
Gridley Canyon below on the right.
A view back. The Gridley Trail keeps pretty high about the canyon, so we only heard minimal water noises.
A view back. The Gridley Trail keeps pretty high about the canyon, so we only heard minimal water noises.
Nordhoff Peak somewhere up there blocked by a hill.
Nordhoff Peak somewhere up there blocked by a hill.
Passing the first water source, a spring flowing into a trough container.
Passing the first water source, a spring flowing into a trough container.
The trail weaves around the hills.
The trail weaves around the hills.
Ascending on one of many switchbacks.
Ascending on one of many switchbacks.
View back toward Gridley Canyon, center.
View back toward Gridley Canyon, center.
Nordhoff Peak's fire tower seen left of center.
Nordhoff Peak's fire tower seen left of center.
Another shot back, where you can see the Gridley Trail snaking around the slopes.
Another shot back, where you can see the Gridley Trail snaking around the slopes.
Image 13 from gallery
Nearing the end of the Gridley Trail.
Nearing the end of the Gridley Trail.
At the junction with Camino Cielo Road, view back at the Gridley Trail.
At the junction with Camino Cielo Road, view back at the Gridley Trail.
Hiking along the road on our way up to Nordhoff Peak.
Hiking along the road on our way up to Nordhoff Peak.
Some nice views along the crest.
Some nice views along the crest.
View back east along the crest.
View back east along the crest.
Nordhoff Peak ahead.
Nordhoff Peak ahead.
Fire tower marking the summit.
Fire tower marking the summit.
View north from Nordhoff Peak.
View north from Nordhoff Peak.
Nordhoff Peak, view west.
Nordhoff Peak, view west.
Nordhoff Peak, view southeast.
Nordhoff Peak, view southeast.
Close-up down toward the many switchbacks of the Gridley Trail. Gridley Canyon seen top right.
Close-up down toward the many switchbacks of the Gridley Trail. Gridley Canyon seen top right.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!