Colby Bridge Day Use Area

Post by **Sean** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 10:09 pm

The Colby Bridge picnic area is open. I had never been down there before, because the road was always marked closed every time I checked.

Does anyone know how to access the Strawberry-Colby Trail from the bridge? Or, do you have to go through the Colby Ranch?

Post by **dima** » Tue Feb 12, 2019 11:27 pm

What/where is this? Very helpful, I know

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 5:59 am

Yeah, I'm interested in that as well. I don't think i've ever seen that open in the past.

Post by **Sean** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 7:41 am

dima wrote: What/where is this? Very helpful, I know

It's off Upper Big Tujunga Road north of Strawberry Peak. Look for a paved side road with a "Colby Ranch" sign. The picnic site is just across the metal bridge.

Post by **HikeUp** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:56 am

Sean wrote: Does anyone know how to access the Strawberry-Colby Trail from the bridge? Or, do you have to go through the Colby Ranch?

I've never been to this location, but I have read about it. There is a trail (12W05.1???) that leaves the east end of the big parking lot that is just south of the bridge. This trail supposedly bypasses Colby Ranch.

http://www.otphiker.com/hikes/435.html

https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.2982 ... 7&z=15&b=f

Boiler plate bullshit disclaimer: Unknown status! Use this info at your own risk.

Post by **Sean** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 10:08 am

HikeUp wrote:There is a trail (12W05.1???) that leaves the east end of the big parking lot that is just south of the bridge. This trail supposedly bypasses Colby Ranch.

Ah! Thanks. That makes sense.

Post by **HikeUp** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 1:33 pm

This post reminds me of a couple of hikes in this same area that I did before the Station Fire (so conditions have most likely changed)...

These two hikes start on Upper Big Tujunga Road. Both start near where Alder Creek crosses under the road at mile marker 4.14. One trail goes south to Barley Flats, the other "route" goes north to Round Top. Both are very fun hikes and this is an excellent time of year to do them (i.e. it's cool enough).

Pictures from hike to Barley Flats...https://www.flickr.com/photos/hikeup_pa ... 575871520/
TR...barley-flats-02-28-2009-t1272.html

Pictures from hike to Round Top...https://www.flickr.com/photos/hikeup_pa ... 168768915/
TR...round-top-south-ridge-01-31-2009-t1176.html

I bet right now there would be snow on the north side of Barley Flats but probably not on the south side of Round Top. The cross country route to Round Top is entirely shadeless so hope for/bring your own clouds or shade.

I also think there is a trail that goes north to Loomis Ranch (and beyond) from this point (I have not taken it so I don't know much about it, except that I think Loomis area has private property issues).

AW~ · Post by **AW~** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 3:05 pm

Sean wrote:
HikeUp wrote:There is a trail (12W05.1???) that leaves the east end of the big parking lot that is just south of the bridge. This trail supposedly bypasses Colby Ranch.
Ah! Thanks. That makes sense.

The place was supposedly closed because one of the toads was spotted there.
https://www.fws.gov/ventura/docs/specie ... Report.pdf

Like Hikeup said, the trail proceeded east from there. The last time I was there in 2011, the trail was gone. As in erased...nothing but dense bushwacking. Up on the ridge elevation 4500, I didnt see any trail either coming up from wikiup.
Here is a recent report, however it has little to do with the trail or correct ridge...http://www.supertopo.com/tr/2018-02-Bus ... 3291n.html

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 7:27 pm

I also think there is a trail that goes north to Loomis Ranch (and beyond) from this point

Can you go right up Alder Creek to the "narrows" or does the require AW-level skills? https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.3186 ... z=18&b=sat

Post by **HikeUp** » Wed Feb 13, 2019 10:11 pm

AW~ · Post by **AW~** » Thu Feb 14, 2019 3:10 pm

Uncle Rico wrote:
I also think there is a trail that goes north to Loomis Ranch (and beyond) from this point
Can you go right up Alder Creek to the "narrows" or does the require AW-level skills? https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.3186 ... z=18&b=sat

You'd have to deal with the no parking signs and then the section is technically closed. Toad territory again. Ive only seen the last of the upper elevation of it and would say I wouldnt travel it. Overgrown.Marshy. With my luck I stumble onto an alligator in there.
The mini-narrows(some will roll their eyes on saying its actually a narrows, but if you travel in the watercourse its narrowsish...this is the Gabes) ...they are a long way no matter how you approach it. Did you see my tr on it?

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Thu Feb 14, 2019 6:44 pm

Didn't realize that was in a closure area.

Over-grown, marshy, alligators? Guess I won't be seeing that area anytime soon.

Haven't seen your TR recently. If I saw it previously, the memory is now lost in the fog of old-mandom. I'll look for it.