El Lobo

Hike to Lobo Canyon on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park Southern California

Lobo Canyon hike Santa Rosa Island

In September 2016 on Santa Rosa Island, scientists unearthed a roughly 13,000-year-old, fully intact mammoth skull—tusks and all. The region of the island where this significant discovery was made is also where feral horses roam airy pastures, released after cattle operations halted here in 1998. Embark on a 13-mile (round-trip) hike that takes you across this part of Santa Rosa Island’s interior, down a canyon, and along a spectacular coastline of cliffs, coves, and tide pools. The path delivers you to the sea mouth of Lobo Canyon, a steep passage of sculpted sandstone, verdant plant life, and a spring-fed creek draining to the Pacific. From the campground (see camping info below), make for the Vale & Vickers Ranch Complex near the pier, a testament to the island's 150-year legacy of sheep and cattle ranching. You’ll head west on Smith Highway, a dirt road climbing into grassy highlands rolling north to Carrington Point and bordered to the south by Windmill Canyon. This is where you might spy free-range horses.

After a long stretch exposed to sun and wind, the road dives into Lobo Canyon and links to a narrow footpath leading 1.5 miles to sea. Marvel at the lushness and vivid mash-up of flora at canyon bottom: moss-covered oaks and toyon; succulents and wildflowers; cactus growing on a boulder above cattails. The geography of Lobo astounds even more. In sections, wind and water have sculpted sandstone and siltstone bedrock into intricate shapes, including honeycomb patterns called tafoni. (Don’t miss a lateral trail about two-thirds in, exploring a slot canyon.) At the coast, continue on a sandy path westward for 0.5 mile to reach a magnificent cove at the mouth of Cow Canyon. Stratified white-orange cliffs rise above wave-battered rock shards tinted with guano and green algae. From here, scrambling up the closest ridge leads you to a jeep path running west of Lobo and roughly parallel. Follow it south for two miles to reunite with Smith Highway near the trailhead.

TIPS: If winds are extreme, you might be better off returning via Lobo Canyon. Hikers can sometimes hitch a truck ride to the canyon trailhead when naturalists lead guided tours there.

CAMP: The island has only one established campground, located 1.5 miles south of the pier, and situated in Water Canyon, just a few hundred yards inland from the beaches of Bechers Bay. The camp has 15 sites—each with a wooden wind shelter, picnic table, and food storage locker (owing to the thievish island fox)—plus an impressive solar-powered outhouse with warm water and an outdoor sink basin. Reserve a site.

Book boat passage to Santa Rosa through Island Packers, the park's only concessionaire, which will ferry passengers to the island two or three days a week. Schedule and fares on their site. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa's Art of the Matter

    Downtown Napa uncorks more than just excellent wine. Art has firmly established itself along the walkways and parkways in the area, punctuated by an annual ArtWalk (year-round) and a temporary Lighted Art Festival.

    View
  2. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.

    View
  3. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax.

    View
  4. Hike Artdoors

    Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Animal Encounters

    Located where Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge overlooks the Sacramento River, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is 300 acres of gardens, a museum and playground, aquarium, and unforgettable up-close animal encounters!

    View
  2. Sundialed

    Redding is home to one of the world’s most famous pedestrian-only bridges—the Sundial Bridge was created by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (its sister bridges are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Seville, Spain). The glass-deck bridge across the Sacramento River is a true sundial....

    View
  3. View from Keys View Joshua Tree

    Trio of Trails

    Get into Joshua Tree National Park Park early and hit the classic circuit of short trails before the crowds arrive. We also have some food and overnight recos.

    View
  4. White Tank Campground for Stargazing

    Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.

    View