View from the top of East Canyon

View from the meadows at the top of Rice Canyon

Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved.  Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability.  All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities.  The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here.   Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

Rice & East Canyons

• Location:  Santa Susana Mountains, near Newhall and Valencia.  From the south, take Interstate 5 to Calgrove.  Take a left and follow Calgrove under the freeway and bear left onto The Old Road.  Drive 0.8 miles and the trail head will be on the right.   From Valencia and the north, take I-5 south to the Calgrove exit.  Turn right, and the trailhead will be on the right in 0.4 miles (Calgrove becoems The Old Road).  There is a $3 parking fee which can be bypassed by parking on the street.
• Agency: Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
• Distance: 6.4 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,400 feet
• Suggested time: 3.5 hours
• Difficulty Rating: PG-13 (Elevation gain, steepness)
• Best season:  October – May
• USGS topo map: “Oat Mountain”
• Recommended gear: hiking poles; sunblock; sun hat
• More information: here; trip reports here.
• Rating: 7

This Y-shaped hike goes up and down two neighboring canyons.  Of course, either can be hiked separately, but there is a nice variety between the two of them, and the full distance makes for a good workout.

Follow the fire road leading out of the parking lot, and you will arrive at a split after about a quarter mile.  Rice Canyon heads off to the right. After a pleasant run along a stream, the trail rises out of the canyon, becoming steeper as it climbs the wall, before arriving at a meadow which provides nice vistas over the canyon and the surrounding foothills.

Back at the junction, the trail to East Canyon continues under the trees before beginning a winding climb.  As you ascend, you get some great views of the Santa Clarita area.  The trail’s grade is steady but never too severe, reaching an intersection with a fire road after 2 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain.  If the gate is open, you can see great views of L.A. and the San Gabriel Mountains from this intersection.

Unfortunately, this hike does suffer from freeway noise and gunfire noise from a shooting range nearby, but it is a good cardio workout that provides some nice views for your troubles.  For residents of the Valley and the Santa Clarita area, the convenience of the hike’s location is hard to beat.