The sign said 5.1 miles.
But I clocked it at 5.5 miles. We started from the free parking lot instead of the fee lot at the picnic area. Maybe that makes a difference.
I wasn't familiar with the area at all. So I got to say things like, "I think this is the right trail," and "Maybe we're lost." I don't get to say such things very often anymore, so I take advantage when I can.
I insisted on doing the loop counterclockwise, because I had read that it was the easier direction. First we went up Towsley Canyon on a road, passing the picnic area.
The road became a double-track before becoming a single-track through the rocky narrows, where we climbed up to a cave feature.
Some more rock stuff...
The narrows ended too soon. But Willie enjoyed the trailside tar seeps while I struggled up the switchbacks.
We hit the ridgeline and started dropping down the other side.
The map showed a couple side trails to vista points, but somehow we completely missed them. At an unsigned trail junction, I chatted up some runners to make sure we were still on the right track. The descent into Wiley Canyon was a bit on the steep side, and I was glad we didn't come up that way.
I recommend this popular loop for the rock formations in the narrows section of Towsley Canyon and the bubbling tar pit in Wiley Canyon.
