The environs of Figueroa Mountain feature a diverse range of landscape. Open rolling grassland, gravely slopes sparsely studded with moss and lichen covered oaks, other nooks holding denser stands of oak and conifers, flowing creeks in the shady sycamore canopied canyons, piney peaks, and spectacular wildflower blooms in spring that can be seen from miles away.
Following any one of the many short trails that wind and weave through this area of the Los Padres National Forest takes hikers, in short order, through an outdoor realm of varied habitat like few other areas of the local forest.
Following below is a photo essay from a recent hike to the top of Zaca Peak from the mouth of Birabent Canyon on Alamo Pintado Creek. (This hike traverses private property and requires a permit from Midland School.)
Morning fog along lower Figueroa Mountain Road.
Grass Mountain as seen from La Jolla Trail.
Grass Mountain and the ridge leading to Zaca Peak.
Tarantula sunning on the trail.
Tarantula burrow.
Grass Mountain with Zaca Peak barely visible behind it to the right.
The lone oak before the wall of Grass Mountain.
Up.
A thin finger of maritime fog from the Pacific still lingering far up the Santa Ynez Valley, the marine layer looming over the Santa Ynez Mountains in the distance.
Trail leading off the top of Grass Mountain looking over Santa Ynez Valley.
Looking down the face of Grass Mountain.
Grass Mountain summit.
Zaca Ridge and Peak seen from atop Grass Mountain.
Trail along top of Zaca Ridge.
Zaca Peak
The view from Zaca Peak summit looking over Grass Mountain and the Santa Ynez Valley toward the Pacific Ocean.
Looking east from Zaca Peak.
Related Posts:
Birabent Canyon and Grass Mountain
Figueroa Mountain Wildflowers
Toddling Down the Davy Brown Trail
Edgar B. Davison’s Cabin (circa 1900)
Backcountry View From Figueroa Mountain Summit
