100 miler

Start Rock Tree Sky School Start at an Elevation of 1,574 ft. - Topa-Topa AS # One at 5,273 ft.

Mile 0.0 to Mile 7.09

Start Rock Tree Sky School Start at an Elevation of 1,574 ft. - Topa-Topa AS # One at 5,273 ft.

From the School run North on Sisar Rd passing several homes on your left and right.  At .5 mi, you will come to an iron gate and leave the asphalt road to dirt fire road.  Continue north on Sisar Canyon passing several stream crossings and switch backs.  At mi 4.24 and at 2,768ft you will find a large iron yellow gate. Right after the gate, you will see a single-track trail called Red Reef on your right. Take Red Reef trail through White ledge campground mi 5.29 at 3,667ft.  Continue climbing north to Forest Service Road FS 05NO8. You will arrive to intersection of FS05NO8 and Red Reef trail, this is Mi. 6.94 and at an Elevation of 5,111ft. Turn Right (East) towards the TopaTopa bluffs and you will find Aid station #1 at Mi. 7.09 at an Elevation of 5,273ft. 

Topa-Topa AS # One at an Elevation of 5,273 - Topa-Topa AS # One at an Elevation of 5,273

Mile 7.09 to Mile 10.76

Fuel up and prepare for your first ascent of the TopaTopa’s.  Leaving Aid station #1 head east towards the summit on the fire road. At mi 7.47 and at an Elevation of 5,412ft turn right you will leave the Fire road for the TopaTopa Bluff trail continue up the switchbacks not the direct fire line break. You will reach the summit at mi 8.2 mi and at an Elevation of 6,379 (get your 1st bracelet). From the summit, follow single-track ribbons down towards Old TopaTopa Bluff Road. Once on the Old TopaTopa Bluff Road turn left on the Old TopaTopa Bluff Road at mi 8.27 at an Elevation of 6,191ft. Continue Northeast on Old TopaTopa Bluff Road until you reach Red Reef trail intersection at mi 9.29 at an Elevation of 6,048. Follow Red Reef trail to Aid Station #1 at mi 10.60 at an Elevation of 5,273ft. 

Topa-Topa AS# One at an Elevation of 5,273 ft. - Rose Valley camp ground AS # Two and 3,416 ft.

Mile 10.76 to Mile 17.56

Head west on FS05NO8 towards Lion Canyon trail. At the intersection turn, right you will be at mi 11.41 at an Elevation of 5,135. Continue North West on the narrow single-track Lion Canyon trail, there are not any other trails intersecting Lion Canyon trail until you reach West Fork and East fork Lion campground. This intersection is at mi 15.1 at an Elevation of 3,412.  (Observe this area closely as when you return it is easy to take the wrong trail back up to the ridge.) From the Campground intersection, continue straight across the stream follow along the east side of the stream until you reach the intersection on Middle Lion trail, Rose-lion trail and Lion Canyon Trail.  Turn Left on to “Rose-Lion Trail” this is at mi 15.70 and at an Elevation of 3,377.  Shortly after the intersection you will cross the stream and continue west on Rose-Lion Trail towards Rose Valley campground.  After winding through this canyon and a small climb, you will arrive at Aid Station #2 Rose Valley campground at mi 17.56 and at an Elevation of 3,416.

Rose Valley AS # Two at an Elevation of 3,416ft mi -TopaTopa Aid station # One at 5,271ft

Mile 17.56 to Mile 23.65

Re-tracing your steps back to Forest Service Road FS 05NO8 on the ridge. Leave Rose Valley campground head east towards the intersection on Middle Lion trail, Rose-lion trail and Lion Canyon Trail at mi 18.95 and at an Elevation of 3,377.  Turn right towards West Fork and East fork Lion campground. Once at the West Fork and East fork Lion Campground This intersection is at mi 19.67 at an Elevation of 3,412. At the intersection, continue straight on Lion Canyon trail no other trails intersect as you are going up towards Forest Service Road FS05NO8.  Once you reach FS05NO8 at mi, 23.29 at an Elevation of 5,139 turn left towards Aid station #1.  Once arrive at Aid station #1 you will be at mi 23.77 and at an Elevation of 5,271. Climb 2 has been completed; time to go down, well maybe?  

TopaTopa Aid station # One at an Elevation of 5,271ft - Thacher Creek Trailhead AS # Three at 1,370ft

Mile 23.65 to Mile 34.90

Leaving the TopaTopa Aid station #1 head west on FS05NO8 until you reach single track trail Red Reef Trail on your left at mi 23.80 and at an Elevation of 5,234ft.  Heading south on Red Reef continue going down towards White Ledge campground at mi 25.50 and at an Elevation of 3,667ft.  Cross the stream at White Ledge campground and continue to Sisar Canyon fire road.  Once you arrive at Sisar Canyon fire road turn right (West) going uphill. This will be at mi 26.5 and at an Elevation of 3,295.  Stay on Sisar Canyon fire road until you reach the intersection of Horn Canyon Trail. This will be at mi 30.25 and at an Elevation of 4,670.  Turn Left on Horn Canyon Trail going down towards “The Pines” campground.  Once at “The Pines” campground this will be Mi. 31.9 and at an Elevation of 3,271.  Stay on the single track going down towards Thatcher Schools. Once you arrive at Horn Canyon, trailhead follow markers to    Thacher Creek trailhead. Once arrived at Thacher Creek Trailhead Aid Station #3 you will be at Mi. 34.90 and at an Elevation of 1,370.

Thacher Creek Trailhead AS # Three at an Elevation of 1,370 ft. - Rose Valley camp ground AS # Two at 3,416ft.

Mile 34.90 to Mile 46.86

Re-tracing your steps back to Sisar Canyon fire road you will down pass “The Pines” campground again to Sisar Canyon fire road. Here you will turn left heading North West towards Chief Peak.  At this intersection, you will be at mi 39.45 and at an Elevation of 4,670ft.   Remain on Sisar Canyon fire road until you reach Chief Peak trail on your left, you will leave the fire road and follow the single track.  You will find an unmanned aid station with only water. This will be at Mi. 42.0 and at an Elevation of 4,837ft. Remain on single track until summit of Chief Peak (get your 2nd bracelet). This is at Mi. 42.5 and 5,572ft. Take in the view and follow the ribbons north to rejoin FS-05NOB.  This will be at Mi. 43 and at an Elevation of 5,161 ft.  Stay on FS-05NOB going west until you reach a 3-way intersection. This is Mi. 44.54 and at an Elevation of 4,837. Turn right (North) going down towards Rose Valley campground.  Once you arrive at Rose Valley Campground, you will be at Mi. 46.86 and at an Elevation of 3,416.

 Rose Valley camp ground AS # Two at an Elevation of 3,416ft - Gridley Top AS # Four at 3,807ft

Mile 46.86 to Mile 52.24

Return the same way you came down on FS 05N42.2. The climb is steep and approximately 2.44 mi and 1,597 ft. of vertical gain. As you make your way to the 3-way intersection of FS 05N42.2 and FS-05NOBS Stay right (West) along the FS-05NOBS Fire Road. Once you reach the intersection, you will be at Mi. 49.3. Continue on the ridge until you reach Gridley Top AS # Four. Once you arrive, you will be at Mi. 52.24 and at an Elevation of 3,807.

Gridley Top AS # Four at an Elevation of 3,807 ft.- Gridley Bottom AS #Five at 1,253 ft.

Mile 52.24 to Mile 57.91

Gridley Top Aid Station # Five. You will be at Mi. 52.65 and at an Elevation of 3,807. Refuel and prepare for the downhill to Gridley bottom.  Head south on Gridley Trail, this sweet 6.5mi single track that’s winding down to Gridley Bottom AS # Five.  The single track is straightforward with no interesting trails until you get towards the bottom. First area will be where several avocado trees will be on your left and right then you will arrive at an intersection follow the forest service’s signs and stay to you right, this is at mi 57.24 at an elevation of 1,714.  Continue down the fire road and you will see several off shooting trails, Stay on the main trail until you come to another intersection of 3 trails at mile 57.66.  Look for a small fruit stand to your left and pick up some yummy Ojai Pixie Tangerine.  Veer left on to a very rocky technical staying on Gridley Trail. Your less than .5 mi from the aid station. Once you arrive at Gridley Bottom, you will be at Mi. 63.44 and at an Elevation of 1,253ft.

Gridley Bottom AS # five at an Elevation of 1,253 ft. - Gridley Top AS # Four at 3,807 ft.

Mile 57.91to Mile 63.83

Return the same way you came down on Gridley Trail. Head north on Gridley Trail after passing the rocky technical trail you will arrive at an intersection veer right on the fire road heading uphill and passing several avocado trees. You will again arrive at another intersection veer left following the Forest service signs continue going uphill.  The single track is straightforward from this point with no interesting trails to the top of Gridley Top Aid Station. Once you arrive at Gridley Top Aid Station, you will be at Mi. 63.36 at an Elevation of 3,807ft.

 Gridley Top AS # Four at an Elevation of 3,807 ft. - Cozy Dell AS # Eight at 881 ft.

Mile 63.83mi to Mile 71.76

 After arriving at the Aid Station head west along the FS-05N08 Fire Road towards Nordhoff Peak. You will arrive at Nordhoff Peak Intersection Mi. 64.84 and at an Elevation of 4,396ft, turn right to the summit and climb up to the fire tower (get your 3rd bracelet) , take in the views and turn back down to the intersection and follow FS-05N08 west to Pratt Trail.  As you are running downhill on FS-05N08 you will see Pratt trail to your left.  Once you reach the intersection of FS-05N08 and Pratt Trail turn Left (South) down on Pratt Trail. This intersection is at mi 65.84 and at an Elevation of 4,012. Run down Pratt Single track until you reach the intersection of FS 5N34 and Pratt Trail. Stay right (West) going downhill. This intersection is at 69.76 and at an Elevation of 2,033. Continue down FS-5N34 until you reach Cozy Dell trail 23W26. It is a hard right and you can easily run by the entrance of the trail. This will be at Mi. 70.33 and at an Elevation of 1,402. Continue on Cozy Dell trail 23W26 you will have some small up and down hills until you reach Cozy Dell AS # six at mi.71.54 and at an Elevation of 881 ft.

Cozy Dell AS # Eight at an Elevation of 881 ft. Gridley Top AS # Four at 3,807 ft.

Mile 71.54 to Mile 79.60

Return up Cozy Dell trail 23W26 to the intersection of FS 5N34 and Pratt Trail. Go left (North) up Pratt Trail. This intersection is at mi 74.25 and at an Elevation of 2,033. You will stay on Pratt Trail until you reach FS 5N34 fire road and turn right towards Nordhoff Peak, no need to climb to the Fire lookout tower for a second time, unless you really want, gaze at the stars or take in the views.  Pass the summit trail road and continue to Gridley Top Aid Station that is at 79.60 and at an Elevation of 3,808ft. Fill up hear as you have close to 10 mi to arrive to the TopaTopa Aid station. 

Gridley Top AS # Four at an Elevation of 3,807 ft. - TopaTopa Aid station # One at 5,271ft

Mile 79.60 to Mile 89.59

Once you have rested and ready for the long stretch along the ridge. Follow east on fire road FS-05N08. At approximately mile 85.36 you will find a water only unmanned aid station. It is the same spot you passed when making you way up to Chief Peak earlier. Shortly after the unmanned aid station at mile 87.11 you will come to the intersection of FS 05N08 and Sisar Canyon fire road, turn Left on to FS 05N08 going up towards Sisar Peak. Once you pass the access road to Sisar Peak continue on FS 05N08 all the way to TopaTopa Aid station # One at an Elevation of 5,271ft.

 Topa-Topa AS # One at an Elevation of 5,273 - Topa-Topa AS # One at an Elevation of 5,273

Mile 89.59 to Mile 93.45

One more Summit to catch in the views, Leaving Aid station #1 head east towards the summit on the fire road. At mi 89.91 and at an Elevation of 5,412ft turn right you will leave the Fire road for the TopaTopa Bluff trail continue up the switchbacks not the direct fire line break. You will reach the summit at mi 90.73 mi (get your 4th bracelet) and at an Elevation of 6,379. From the summit, follow single-track ribbons down towards Old TopaTopa Bluff Road at mi 91.03. Once on the Old TopaTopa Bluff Road turn left on the Old TopaTopa Bluff Road. Continue Northeast on Old TopaTopa Bluff Road until you reach Red Reef trail intersection at mi 92.04.71 at an Elevation of 6,048. Follow Red Reef trail to Aid Station #1 at mi 93.20 at an Elevation of 5,273ft. 

TopaTopa Aid station # One at an Elevation of 5,271ft Rock Tree Sky School finish 1,574 Ft

Mile 93.45 to Mile 100.23

Fill up and prepare for the long downhill to the finish. Leave the Aid station heading west on FS-05N08 after a short downhill you will turn Left on Trial 21W08 towards White Ledge campground at mi 95.29. Continue passed the campground until you reach Sisar Canyon Fire road at mile and you will find a large iron yellow gate go past the gate going downhill. Sisar Canyon Fire road this will be at mi 95.97 and at an Elevation of 3,291. Stay on Sisar Canyon Fire road to the finish at Rock Tree Sky School 100.23mi

Don’t forget your Buckle