Secret Trail

Definitely one of the most fun trails in the area. This secret trail is an unmaintained use trail near Rivas Canyon. It's narrow, steep, crazy, and fun! Most of it is not runnable, but it's a great scramble.
IMG_1899 The trailhead. It doesn't get much traffic, which is just the way I like it.
The trailhead. It doesn't get much traffic, which is just the way I like it.
IMG_1879 The
The "trail" looks like this in places. I always get nervous when I can't see where my feet are landing. The phrase "snake in the grass" keeps coming to mind.
IMG_1880 A low peak that makes for a great morning destination. Looking down Rivas Canyon.
A low peak that makes for a great morning destination. Looking down Rivas Canyon.
IMG_1882 Some sort of marker on the peak.
Some sort of marker on the peak.
IMG_1881 A nice view of one of the prominent rock outcroppings in the canyon.
A nice view of one of the prominent rock outcroppings in the canyon.
IMG_1890 Further up the trail. The hill in the middle is the peak from earlier.
Further up the trail. The hill in the middle is the peak from earlier.
IMG_1891 There's never a shortage of great ocean views in the area on a clear day.
There's never a shortage of great ocean views in the area on a clear day.
IMG_1894 A 360 view from one of the peaks along the ridge.
A 360 view from one of the peaks along the ridge.
IMG_1902 A common section of
A common section of "trail". I guess you would call this 1/2 track.
IMG_1908 Tight overhead chapparal in places.
Tight overhead chapparal in places.
IMG_1913 A typical section of trail climbing steeply along the ridge.
A typical section of trail climbing steeply along the ridge.
IMG_1914 The view from the next peak higher up the ridge on a little hazier day.
The view from the next peak higher up the ridge on a little hazier day.
IMG_1922 Looking at the trail heading down the ridge. The hill in the middle way down the canyon on the left is the first peak from earlier.
Looking at the trail heading down the ridge. The hill in the middle way down the canyon on the left is the first peak from earlier.
IMG_1923 Looking down at the Backbone trail on the other side of the canyon.
Looking down at the Backbone trail on the other side of the canyon.
IMG_1926 An sign-in box and geo cache. It's a rather odd location, particularly given how little traffic this trail gets.
An sign-in box and geo cache. It's a rather odd location, particularly given how little traffic this trail gets.
IMG_1927 This little notepad has over four years worth of sign-ins. The last one was two weeks before me, and the one before that was another three weeks earlier. Two...
This little notepad has over four years worth of sign-ins. The last one was two weeks before me, and the one before that was another three weeks earlier. Two…
IMG_1929 Sections of great single track.
Sections of great single track.
IMG_1930 A scientific research project. Evidently used to capture birds and test the affect of pollution on the local environment. Maybe the scientists are the ones...
A scientific research project. Evidently used to capture birds and test the affect of pollution on the local environment. Maybe the scientists are the ones…
IMG_1932 The Secret trail eventually intersects with the Unknown Peak trail. I never knew there was another route that led here.
The Secret trail eventually intersects with the Unknown Peak trail. I never knew there was another route that led here.
IMG_1936 Signing-in on Unknown Peak, this time taking a much tougher route to the top. Then it's time for one heck of a downhill ride back to the trailhead.
Signing-in on Unknown Peak, this time taking a much tougher route to the top. Then it's time for one heck of a downhill ride back to the trailhead.