Caliente Mountain Ridge Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The road up to the trailhead is steep and can be slippery in the wet, 4WD is recommended. The trailhead can also be accessed by running up the steep trail eastward out of Selby campground to the road, adding approximately 2.5 miles onto the trip.

The trail is initially singletrack, but quickly rejoins the road (past a gate and closed to vehicles). The trail winds along the undulating ridge past a cell tower and an abandoned paddock before becoming singletrack again all the way to the peak.

The peak offers expansive views of the Cuyama Valley and the Carrizo Plain, and sports the wreckage of a WW2 era watchtower.

The trail is exposed, offers little shade or wind protection, and no water sources, so plan accordingly especially in summer.

Can be a good place to see wildflowers in the spring. We encountered many mountain lion footprints on the tail.