Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon

April 28th, 2024 at 8:15 AMLos Padres National Forest, CA

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Info

Distance

21.7 mi

Elevation gain

6,200 ft

Route type

Out & back

Duration

7.5 hr

Crux

Class 2

Quality

8/10

Ecoregion

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Trip report

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — The route starts out on private property, but the owners permit hikers to travel along Sisar Canyon Road to the boundary of Los Padres National Forest.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Plenty of signs reminding hikers to stay on the road.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Entering the Los Padres National Forest.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — First Sisar Creek crossing.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — The road follows the creek.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — A second, larger creek crossing.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — The road makes a hairpin left turn and climbs out of the canyon via a long switchback.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Looking back at the cliff bands of Topatopa Bluff.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Start of the Red Reef Trail.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Nice singletrack trail with views into Sisar Canyon.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Passing White Ledge Campground. There were several parties breaking camp.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Continuing up Red Reef Trail.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — View back toward Topatopa Bluff.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Approaching Nordhoff Ridge.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Continuing along Red Reef Trail (or "Trail 22W08") from its intersection with Nordhoff Ridge Road. Vehicles can access this section of the trail with a permit from the Forest Service.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — The trail wraps around the north side of Topatopa Bluff.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — The Red Reef Trail is closed to vehicles past this sign.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Climbing to the saddle on the left at 6,100 feet.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — From the saddle, following the ridge toward Hines Peak, right of center. To it's right is the playfully named "Creampuff Peak".

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — The trail bypasses Creampuff Peak, shown here on the right.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Around the bend, Hines Peak comes into view.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — View back toward Creampuff Peak.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Preview of Hine Peak's eroded northwest ridge.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Starting up the ridge.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Short knife's edge section.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — View back from above the knife edge section.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Steep and crumbly terrain on the upper half of the ridge.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — View back. Creampuff Peak is on the left, obscuring Topatopa Bluff behind it.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Some loose Class 2 to gain the ridge crest.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Optional Class 2 along the ridge crest.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Hines Peak summit ahead.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — View west from below the summit of Hines Peak.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Hines Peak summit. View north into the Sespe Wilderness.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Returning to the saddle at 6,100 feet.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — At the saddle, turning left onto Old Topatopa Bluff Road.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — View east from the switchback along Old Topatopa Bluff Road. Creampuff Peak is on the right.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Short detour to Peak 6440.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Peak 6440 summit ahead.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Peak 6440 summit. View west.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Continuing along the road toward Topatopa Bluff, right. It's just a small bump along the ridge.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Topatopa Bluff's flat summit area. View northwest.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — View northeast. Peak 6440 is on the left.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Following a couple of hikers down a steep firebreak on Topatopa Bluff's west slope.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — One can stay on the firebreak, or take this set of switchbacks which offers a gentler grade.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — View back up Topatopa Bluff's west slope.

Trip report photo for Hines Peak and Topatopa Bluff via Sisar Canyon — Reconnecting with the Red Reef Trail below.