Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Park

Las Trampas Wilderness Regional Preserve offers 5,778 acres of wilderness and an expanded trail system that allows hikers to enjoy its remote regions. The park's size and terrain allow visitors a feeling of privacy from the urban hustle-and-bustle. Carry plenty of drinking water for yourself, your dog(s), or horse(s) when visiting this scenic preserve. There is no guarantee that you will find any clean sources around should you get lost in these vast landscapes - carrying some extra bottled water with you might be just what saves your life!

Las Trampas is one of the largest regional preserves in the Santa Clara River Watershed and offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The trail system, which can be accessed from various points on Las Trampas Road (unpaved) or Highway 126 (paved), extends over 74 miles with more than 25 different trails to explore. This includes access to two major rivers: San Antonio Creek and Big Tujunga Canyon Creek, as well as many seasonal creeks that offer excellent fishing opportunities for trout, bass, catfish and bluegill.

Vegetation

The diverse woodlands of Las Trampas and Rocky ridges are home to many different plant species, from black sage and chamise on the western exposures all the way down south. Toyon trees can be found around these areas as well - they serve a variety of practical uses for locals living in this region such as making baskets or providing fruit that tastes like apples! Other plants include elderberry shrubs, gooseberries, chaparral currants, coffee berries- even coyote bushes that have some medicinal properties. Vegetation is not only limited to bushes though; there's plenty more with poison oak hollyleaf red bries (also called "California Christmas" by Native Americans) deer weed and dozens more yet unnamed!

Animals and Birds

Animals and birds are everywhere in the park! Raccoons, foxes, opossums, bobcats, skunks and squirrels all live within its borders. Late at night with binoculars you can count deer on the hills near parking lots as well as elk that might have been caught by traps set up long ago. Other animals such as antelope and mountain lions were plentiful during the last century but sightings of big cats like these happen periodically now too; it's a great place to see hawks-- there are many different types here!

Picnic at The Park

After your hike you can enjoy a picnic in the park. Several of the larger parking lots have shaded areas with tables and barbeques so that picnickers can pack up some food to eat while soaking up nature's beauty.

Picnic at The Pond

You'll find two ponds on Las Trampas Road, both popular spots for birdwatching or enjoying lunch - one has an observation platform! There are no lifeguards present but swimming is allowed as long as care is taken. Please remember not to litter here-- this place should be kept nice just like any other public area!

The Wild Side of Las Trampas Wilderness Regional Preserve:

This vast preserve holds many secrets which go beyond its trails and wide open spaces. These are some of its secrets:

• Wildlife like skunks, raccoons and deer were found in the 1990s but their numbers have increased even more recently.

• Invasive plants such as coyote brush, tansy mustard, field bindweed and large thistle can be seen growing at Las Trampas Regional Preserve - they're not native to California! Watch out for these pesky invaders that threaten our natural environment with their sharp spines which may cause skin irritation or stomach upset if eaten.

• The "Las Trampas Trail" is a 34 mile loop trail open from December through May only-- it connects with Big Tujunga Canyon Creek for 19 miles before returning on the other side of the water.

• If you're looking to escape urban life then Las Trampas Regional Preserve might be just what you need! There are plenty of trails available as well as many other recreational opportunities in this expansive parkland--get out there and enjoy nature's bounty soon!

Every day spent at Las Trampas offers something new: whether it's exploring the coast or gazing up at Mt Wilson from your campsite on top of Rocky Ridge; enjoying lunch by one of two ponds or swimming across San Antonio Creek during a summer heat wave. Come and see for yourself!