Rift Zone Trail

Rift Zone Trail
5 miles
2.5 hours
Start: Bear Valley Visitors Center
End: Five Brooks
Includes: Rift Zone Trail, Vedanta Retreat, Stewart Horse Camp, Five Brooks

Hike 38
Sept 10, 2013

I picked-up the Rift Zone trail at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. Brown grass transitioned into oak woodland.

California bay trees were laden with nuts. Peeled, dried and roasted, they yield an unusual, bitter treat.

Old oaks created mosaics of light even on this cloudy day.

Pearly-pink bindweed offered delicacies to a gnat.

This horse trail had a number of large gates, the trail running through a privately owned patch of land operating as the Vedanta Religious Retreat.

As the trail descended, the field to the left became marshy offering interesting shapes and shades of green against the surrounding woods.

I picked a sprig of pennyroyal and wafted along on its pungent, minty fragrance.

I paused to admire views of rolling hillsides framed through oaks.

I exited the Vedanta Retreat and found my way through Stewart Horse Camp where groups overnight with horses.

My hike on the Rift Zone trail ended at Five Brooks Stables where my friend Andrew offers horse rentals and tours. I sat for a while with Andrew's daughter and her dog Simon. Simon begged for sandwich with complete ardor.

Four-year-old Julina showed me her favorite horse. He had a long and handsome face.

I was happy to get a ride back to my car; the day was getting late and I needed to pick-up my boy from school.

I loved this hike. Oak woodlands are iconic of California countryside and remind me, after my many travels, I am home.