Peak 37B - Peak 4292 (Kanaka Ridge) - A wonderful walk through high grasslands
Peak 4292 Kanaka Ridge
Elevation: 4,292’
Mileage: ~7
Trailhead: Santa Ysabel East Preserve (Upper trailhead)
Agency: Cleveland National Forest
Dates Hiked: 11/03/2016, 06/06/2018, 02/08/2019, 06/05/2019, 06/16/2019, 09/21/2022
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Update 2022: This peak replaces Ant Benchmark, which is challenging to access without crossing private property.
09/21/2022
After my short pleasant hike up to Inaja Hill, I drove the car up to Julian to have a scone and a coffee at the Regulars Wanted cafe. I had skipped my breakfast and had a wonderful time on the patio in the cool morning air.
I got back in the car and drove up to the Santa Ysabel Preserve East upper trailhead on Farmer Road, passing the busier trailhead to Volcan Mountain.
There was one car in the parking lot as I headed down the trail.
This was at least my sixth time on these trails. I’ve brought friends and family here, and I’ve started from the bottom of the mountain on Highway 79 for a 15-mile round trip trail run on a couple of occasions. The pictures from the post are from my several visits.
Pacific blackberries near the trailhead
I was excited to be back out here and was looking for a nice peak to replace Ant Benchmark, which is a fun hike, but the typical reasonable approach includes crossing over private property.
You will always see cows on the Kanaka Flat Trail
The day was getting warm as I strolled along the wide trail through the lower grasslands. I could see that the recent monsoonal rains had greened the grasses a bit and I got occasional shade from the surrounding oaks and sycamores.
In June 2018, it was very green
The lower part of the upper trail follows the valley floor between two mountains, staying just above Santa Ysabel Creek.
I heard the call of the red-shouldered hawk and saw it flying in the upper reaches of the tall trees towering over the grasses. A few minutes later, I saw, then heard, a red-tailed hawk from the same direction. Perhaps they were challenging each other over territory.
Frozen trail in February 2019
On my several times on this trail, I’ve seen coyotes, turkeys, deer, cows, and three different types of snakes. There’s normally something to see if you keep your eyes open.
On the way to the oak trees
I continued down the easy rolling trail, waving to and chatting with some cows along the way. The trail dipped down to the left past some picnic benches as I was able to easily cross Santa Ysabel Creek. The wooden bridge had seen better days and was blocked by some caution signs so I hopped across on some rocks.
The trail immediately began to steeply climb up to the higher plateau as I passed more cows. I normally say hello to them or sing as I approach the herd, just so I don’t spook them. Especially when there are calves around.
If she only knew what I did for a living
As I continued up the trail, I continued to see a fresh set of footprints as the views began opening up.
This part is always great. It gets your heart pumping right as the grasslands widen in front of your eyes.
In former years, I came during the flower bloom and there were lupines everywhere. This time, it was just a lovely green.
Lupines along the Kanaka Flat Trail - Pano (Click to enlarge)
Lupines along the Kanaka Flat Trail
In no time, I came to the trail junction that forms the Kanaka Loop Trail, a large circle that ultimately circumnavigates Kanaka Flat, and the ridge in the middle that holds Peak 4292.
Kanaka Flat Trail Sign
I took a right, enjoying the relatively flat portion of the trail. It had gotten quite warm, but the breeze was nice as I passed another junction. This time it was with the Coast to Crest Trail, which is the way down to the 79. This is where I met up with the loop on my longer hikes from the bottom of the mountain.
Kanaka Flat Trail Sign
I continued counter-clockwise along the loop, approaching the large herd that was huddled around a couple of springs.
Singing again as I passed the large staring herd, I started the gentle ascent up to the ridge of Peak 4292. I finally passed the lone hiker whose car was at the trailhead. I said hello as I passed.
Heading into the pines
Soon, pine trees rose up alongside me as I was offered some occasional shade. I could see activity in the adjacent private ranchlands and wondered what it would be like to live up there in this idyllic setting.
The neighboring ranches in Kanaka Flat
At what I determined to be the high point of this part of the trail, I scanned to my left and found a clear use trail leading up the ridge. I followed left around some trees and it was easy to follow atop the ridge. Either people or cows, or both, regularly use this trail.
Mushrooms along the trail
I strolled along the ridge and reached the point on the map marked Peak 4292 as the trail went along a lone oak tree. There are some stones underneath the tree, but no benchmark was found. There is a benchmark nearby, but this peak, 4292, is clearly marked on topo maps.
View from Peak 4292 in Kanaka Flat (Click to enlarge)
I relaxed into the view and watched the cows below. The view to the west was great, as the grasslands spread out below me. The breeze was great and it was a nice position to look at Kanaka Flat.
I could see the use trail continue along the ridge top, so I followed along the mostly flat ridge until I came to the other side. The trail skirted some fallen trees before it met back up with the Kanaka Flat Loop Trail.
On the Kanaka Flat Loop Trail below Peak 4292
Dropping back down along the Kanaka Flat Loop Trail
Continuing to drop with views to the west
I descended back the way I had come, noticing that the cows had moved a little bit. I also saw a flock of turkeys mingling with the cows.
A little bit later, I saw a coyote standing stock still, staring at the ground, undoubtedly waiting for an unsuspecting ground squirrel to pop its unfortunate head up.
On an earlier occasion, I saw a coyote digging up a burrow and successfully carrying away a squirrel meal.
This coyote noticed me and stared, until trotting away up the hill. Before long, I was back at the car and on my way home.
Kanaka Flat always puts me in a great mood and this day was no different.
Peak 4292 Kanaka Flat Trail Map (Click to Enlarge)
