Fuel Break Loop (Ojai)

Fuel Break Loop (Ojai)

• Location: Foothills north of Ojai. From Highway 101, take Highway 33 north for 13.2 miles to downtown Ojai. Follow Ojai Ave (Higway 150) for a mile and turn left on Signal St. Follow Signal St. for 0.5 miles to an intersection with Grand Avenue and bear left to stay on Signal Street. Follow it 0.4 miles more to the signed Los Padres National Forest trail head. Turn left and go 0.2 miles on a semi-paved road to a circular parking lot. From Highway 126 in Santa Paula, take Highway 150 northwest for 16.7 miles. Turn right on Signal St. and follow it to the trail head.
• Agency: Ojai Valley Land Conservancy/Los Padres National Forest (Ojai Ranger District)
• Distance: 6.6 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
• Difficulty Rating: PG-13 (Elevation gain, distance)
• Suggested time: 3.5 hours
• Best season:  October – June
• Dogs: Allowed on leash
• Cell phone reception: Good to fair
• Water: None
• Restrooms: None
• Camping/backpacking: None
• Recommended gear: hiking poles sun hat sunblock
• Recommended guidebook: Day Hikes Around Santa Barbara
• More information: Area trail map here; AllTrails report here
• Rating: 7

This intriguing and varied hike explores the area of the Ojai foothills between Gridley and Stewart Canyons. Because much of the route is on easements that skirt the boundaries of private land, it doesn’t have the same isolated feel of many Ojai hikes, but it’s still a challenging and worthwhile trip that offers some great views. The route described here uses Los Padres National Forest trails and fire roads (plus two brief stretches on paved streets). However, the newly established Valley View Preserve, created and overseen by the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, occupies much of the same area and the trails intersect the loop several times, making for numerous possible variations.

By hiking counter-clockwise, you will save the best views for last while getting the enjoyable but not terribly exciting Shelf Road portion of the trip out of the way first. Start by retracing your steps back toward Signal Road. Turn left and follow Signal Road uphill for 0.2 mile to the Shelf Road trail head. Shelf Road meanders east, passing by several junctions with Valley View Preserve trails and a few benches. Much of the route is fenced in on the south side, but there are still some decent views of Ojai Valley and the eastern end of the Topa Topa Ridge.

At 2.2 miles from the start, you reach Gridley Road. Head uphill with caution (there is no sidewalk, only a narrow shoulder – and in some places not even that). Fortunately traffic on this stretch of Gridley Road is light, mostly just hikers and mountain bikers heading toward the Gridley Trail, which you reach in 0.3 mile. Head uphill on the single-track Gridley Trail, climbing 300 feet in half a mile to a saddle. Here the Gridley Trail continues its long climb toward Nordhoff Ridge while your route, the Fuel Break Trail, descends briefly to the left.

For the next approximately 0.8 mile, the trail weaves around several private lots, crossing a pair of service roads. Some of the junctions can be confusing, but the preserve trail signage is good (and the private property signs are usually pretty clear too). You rejoin Cozy Ojai Road which makes an ascent up an oak-dotted hillside to a saddle with a panoramic view to the west. The trail drops sharply, reaching a junction with the Fox Canyon Trail that descends back toward Shelf Road (an option for a shorter hike). One more climb brings you to another saddle, after which the trail makes a scenic descent into the upper reaches of Stewart Canyon.

At 5.4 miles from the start, you reach the Pratt Trail. Turn left and follow it downhill, briefly joining a paved road and passing several more private residences before returning to the parking area.

Photo Gallery (click thumbnails to see the full sized versions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text and photography copyright 2017 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. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from hiking on this trail. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.