Topa Topa Bluffs/Nordhoff Ridge

[SunMan]

The co-pilot and I headed up to Nordhoff Ridge above Ojai to camp under the Topa Topa Bluffs on Saturday. Here are a few pics from the campsite overlooking Ojai, Ventura and Oxnard…

 

[SunMan]

The next day we woke up to see the marine layer had really socked things in along the coast, there would be no island views today…Boney Ridge over in the Santa Monica Mountains off in the distance…

 

[SunMan]

We packed up camp and drove across to the old fire lookout on Nordhoff Peak (~12 miles), excellent views of Ojai and Lake Casitas to the south and Pine Mountain, Reyes Peak and the Sespe to the north…the road is a decently maintained fire road but 4LO was definitely the call for some of the steep ascents/descents...

 

[SunMan]

All that fun and we were still home by noon on Sunday! The hound cooling off in lower Rose Valley Lake before heading home…

 

[chnlisle]

Sunny,
Great to see those pix. I love that place and so close to The 'Nard. Thanks for the memories.

 

[DLN]

Nice shots, we also love those quick local trips that require very little driving, prep, or planning, just pick up and go.

 

[chnlisle]

Did you spot any Condors?

 

[SunMan]

Negative on the condors, did spot this turkey vulture though...

 

[Tomas Tierra]

nice looking stuff Sunman!! Thanks for the invite, timing was just a bit off for us..Glad to hear the road is in good shape..The fire lookout would be a good spot for those bio-degradeable frisbees I've been talking about.....Whingeee!!!

We must do that run with the Kids and all before school starts..

 

[SunMan]

Copy all Tomas, that's a must do. We missed you guys out there.

 

[Jack]

Kelty Carport & Just where are the Topa Topa Bluffs?

How's the Kelty Carport working out? Is it easy to setup and packup? Can it be hung off the back of the camper for rain protection? We've been looking for a store with one in stock to look at them.

Living in Silverlake in LA, the Topa Topa bluffs are well within reach for even a 1 day escape. Looking at the map, are they east of Ojai on Rt 150? Is Denison park where you camped? Or, are they north of Ojai, off of Rt 33?

We've often driven Rt 33 on our way to the Carrizo Plain, another of our favorite escapes. I'll post pictures next time we take a trip there.

 

[SunMan]

Jack,
Loving the Carport, simple to assemble, takes less than 5 minutes. Packs down to the size of a small backpacking tent, weighs about the same. You can easily prop it up over the back door however you'd have to use zip ties or ropes to attach it to the rear floodlights or wall steps if it were windy (making sure it clears the door path). On either side it easily attaches via the provided velcro to the roof clamps. Very versatile units, just put 'em where you want 'em.

As for the Bluff's, you access them north of Ojai via the 33, out of Rose Valley. You will need to contact the ranger station in Ojai beforehand for access. Here's a link to the area: Nordhoff Ridge, Chief Peak and Sisar roads...

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/passes/rec-fee/reh-6-2005/nordhoff-srp.pdf