Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Manzana Trail West (Lower) - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 8.7 Miles
The west portion of the Manzana Trail in the San Rafael Wilderness spans from the Manzana Schoolhouse to Nira Campground. The Lower Manzana Trail intersects with the Sisquoc Trail and reaches the Sisquoc River near the Schoolhouse. Access the trial from Nira Campground via Sunset Valley Road.
MANZANA - A Spanish word for little apples. In the Manzana area it possibly refers to the large number of Manzanita bushes that grow along parts of the creek.
Trail Details
- Trail #: 30W13.2
- Wilderness Area: San Rafael
- County: Santa Barbara County
- Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
- Trail-head Latitude: 34.77176
- Trail-head Longitude: -119.94532
- Trail Condition: Good - Trail is easy to follow and is in good shape
- Topo Maps:
Activities & Features: - Backpacking
- Creek
- Day Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Wilderness Camping
Trail Stats
- Total Elevation Gain: + 1899 feet.
- Total Elevation Loss: - -1273 feet.
- Overall Average Slope Gain: + 5 %.
- Overall Average Slope Loss: - 5 %.
- Kilometers: (km)
- Meters: (m)
- Miles: (mi)
- Feet: (ft)
- Average Slope: (%)
Trail Camps
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Photo By: casafede - Website Link
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Photo By: casafede - Website Link
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Photo By: casafede - Website Link
Survey Photos:
Los Padres Forest Association - 05-24-2014
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-10-2015
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-10-2015
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-10-2015
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-10-2015
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-10-2015
Los Padres Forest Association - 02-13-1983
Los Padres Forest Association - 04-01-2017
Los Padres Forest Association - 04-01-2017
Los Padres Forest Association - 02-18-2018
Anonymous Surveyor - 05-02-2020
Anonymous Surveyor - 05-02-2020
Anonymous Surveyor - 05-02-2020
Anonymous Surveyor - 05-02-2020
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-04-2021
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-04-2021
Erin Carroll - 04-18-2024
Erin Carroll - 04-18-2024
Erin Carroll - 04-18-2024
Submitted Trail Reports
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Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-18-2024 - by Erin CarrollLink: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 04-18-2024 Surveyor Name: Erin Carroll Trail description: Mostly good trail and easy to follow, but prepare to have wet feet. There was one section of trail where the trail is above the private road, right before the Schoolhouse that was really funky and needs work. Downed oak tree, etc. One crossing was a little sketchy with my dog and the water current was strong. Beautiful out there right now. The turtle and the donkeys were awesome! Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow Images: - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-21-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 04-21-2024 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Most crossings were thigh deep or less. Trekking poles were helpful for the deeper crossings Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-21-2024 - by Turbo
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 04-21-2024 Surveyor Name: Turbo Trail description: Trail is in great shape. Flagging is pretty easy to follow. Trail is pretty well defined. No tick or snake sightings Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 05-10-2023 - by Jimmy Cooper
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 05-10-2023 Surveyor Name: Jimmy Cooper Trail description: Trail needs some work from Shoolhouse to Cold Water. There are a few downed tress and some brushy sections. Trail from Colwater to Nira is in excellent shape and easy to follow. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work Condition details: From Schoolhouse to Nira - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-21-2023 - by Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 04-21-2023 Surveyor Name: Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School Trail description: Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work Condition details: This trail was flawless into Coldwater then quickly reverted to classic LP. No really big issues, just approx. 5 trees across trail that need to be cleared - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 08-16-2022 - by Drew Helms
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 08-16-2022 Surveyor Name: Drew Helms Trail description: Good shape through Coldwater Camp and a little farther, I didn’t go much past Coldwater though. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-04-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 04-04-2022 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Trail is open again at happy canyon. Water is flowing from trail head to dabney cabin at least, we never went past that. Lots of wildlife due to being mostly empty last 9 months. Turkeys everywhere. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 02-02-2022 - by Stan A
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 02-02-2022 Surveyor Name: Stan A Trail description: Hiked from the intersection of the Sulphur Springs trail out to the schoolhouse and back. 7 creek crossings. Ankle to calf deep. Ran into a friendly Cody Ranch employee. Big black bear sighting in the AM. Beautiful day on the LP. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 06-25-2021 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 06-25-2021 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Hiked to Potrero Camp. Very hot and dry. Absolutely no water in the creek. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 02-14-2021 - by Jake
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 02-14-2021 Surveyor Name: Jake Trail description: Backpacked from Nira campground to Manzana schoolhouse on Feb. 14th. The trail was mostly clear, There was one, maybe two trees that had to be crossed/climbed over. The Manzana river is flowing very well, we counted 33 water crossings. None were dangerous, and most were ~ankle/mid-calf deep at the worst. The only dry crossings were the last two just before the Manzana Schoolhouse.We also met two very friendly donkey's who were quite interested in acquiring some snacks.Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 01-04-2021 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 01-04-2021 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: Trail from NIRA to the Schoolhouse is good other than two downed trees, see photos below. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work Images:
Between Coldwater and Potrero, easy to walk under, might need a pole saw.
Between Horseshoe Bend and Coldwater, unsure the size but looks beefier than a Silky saw for sure. - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 10-28-2020 - by Tony G.
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 10-28-2020 Surveyor Name: Tony G. Trail description: Did an overnight from Nira to the Manzana Schoolhouse. The trail is in good shape with only a few minor blowdowns and brushy sections at some of the creek crossings, Water around Coldwater camp and near Dabney Cabin, No water at Potrero camp, Horseshoe Bend camp and no water at the Schoolhouse camp. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 05-02-2020 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 05-02-2020 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Clear trail with many wildflowers and thick poison oak Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow Images: - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 02-18-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 02-18-2018 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: LPFA Trail Project spent 3-4 days working on trails out of the Schoolhouse. This included some work along the lower portions of the Manzana Trail. We cleared 3-4 large trees from the trail, worked the bypass around the Cody property and installed the San Rafael Wilderness sign just above the Davis property. The Manzana Trail was clear and easy to follow. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow Images: - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 10-28-2019 - by Tony G.
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 10-28-2019 Surveyor Name: Tony G. Trail description: Did the walk out to Manzana Schoolhouse from Nira. Water was flowing well to Horseshoe Bend, then basically dry from there to Dabney Cabin, where there was water on either side of the cabin for a short distance, then dry out to the schoolhouse. I camped there for the night (not a single person out there). The Sisquoc there was bone dry at the camp. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 06-15-2019 - by Louis Tremblay
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 06-15-2019 Surveyor Name: Louis Tremblay Trail description: Good shape and easy to follow. the PO is starting to encroach but overall it was avoidable the whole way. Many many stream crossings!ÂMode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 05-26-2019 - by Thomas Meissner
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 05-26-2019 Surveyor Name: Thomas Meissner Trail description: Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 01-17-2019 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 01-17-2019 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: There was so much water in Manzana Creek (3-5 feet) that crossing it was impossible. Â Do not try this trail just after a strong storm system. Â The same applies to the upper Manzana Creek trail on this date. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Non existent Condition details: Flooded and impossible to cross - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 02-07-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Assocation
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 02-07-2017 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Assocation Trail description: Article in the Santa Barbara Independent:Manzana Trail MagicGood Time to Explore San Rafael WildernessMode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 12-18-2018 - by casafede
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 12-18-2018 Surveyor Name: casafede Trail description: The trail from Nira Campground to the Manzana Schoolhouse is in very good shape. The creek had very little water. Despite the 30+ crossings, I never got my feet wet. Most of the crossings, in fact, are bone dry. Beautiful scenery all the way to the school house. Dec. 18 is only three days away from the shortest day of the year, and I went there on a day hike and back, so I tried to make it back with enough daylight. Fortunately, I made it back to the car by 4:15 PM, after a 7 and 1/2 hours hike. The trail is mostly flat, though, so it allows for some fast hiking. This time of the year it's also perfect for this hike, as it is cool and there are no bugs! I hiked the eastern stretch of the Manzana trail from Nira to The Narrows during the summer last year and that was a big mistake. Extremely hot, buggy, and hard to find any water at all. One tip. If you've never seen the Manzana School house, and you don't know where exactly it is, you might have trouble finding it. After a 10-mile hike you will get to the Manzana School house camp. There is a small hill to your left as you approach the campground. The schoolhouse is on top of that hill, but it is not easily visible from the campground.The Dabney Cabin, 2 miles before the Manzana School house, on the other hand, is right next to the trail, so you won't miss it. No water ate the School house. The closest spot with water was around the Dabney cabin.I've hiked extensively through Los Padres and the San Rafael Wilderness, and this trail is definitely one of the most enjoyable ones. On a crisp cool day, it's well worth the long hike. Take water with you!Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-28-2018 - by CaHikerChick
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 04-28-2018 Surveyor Name: CaHikerChick Trail description: Hiked from Nira to the Schoolhouse as a 2 night backpack. We camped at Horseshoe Bend. There was plenty of water in Manzana Creek! We ran into one of the land owners near Dabney cabin, he told us to be sure to check out the Sisquoc as there was plenty of water flowing there as well...but we did not go beyond the schoolhouse. The trail is in excellent shape. Absolutely beautiful area.  The Horseshoe Bend camp is not located on maps, etc, but is about 4 miles in. Two picnic tables and lots of camp sites, no outhouse, though;  There were two great swimming holes along the creek.  We had a rare encounter on our first day...we spied a rattle snake on the trail, not moving...in the grass, all coiled up was a king snake swallowing the rattler. It looked like the rattler had a full belly himself. We gave them a wide berth and continued on. We encountered 3 burros near the school house along with 3 horses; these must be owned or watched over by one of the two land owners in the area. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 02-11-2018 - by Josh Gustafson
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 02-11-2018 Surveyor Name: Josh Gustafson Trail description: no water at School House but there is water at Dabney Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-01-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 04-01-2017 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: Report from BSpencer: - New slide located just before dropping down to Potrero Camp (see photo).- Downed medium oak tree (see photo) just above Horseshoe Bend.- Numerous additional downed smaller trees reported as well.- Lots of water.- Lots of trail users.- Beautiful out there!Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work Images: - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 03-12-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 03-12-2017 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Hiked to school house on Saturday. Â Some little/big changes to trail after massive flooding from the storms. Â You will get wet walking out there. Â Lots of new poison oak growth along the trail.... be careful. Tail at Cody gate (on hill over looking property) is very over grown, hard to see and a lot of poison oak. Â This part of trail needs to be clean, if not many will walk the road and climb the Cody gate. Â Which I assume is not want anyone wants.Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 02-11-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 02-11-2017 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Lead a group of Scouts. Only made it too Potrero because the creek was so swollen with a brisk current. Didn't want to take any chances with a kid that was not mine. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 01-15-2017 - by Coyote Dave
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 01-15-2017 Surveyor Name: Coyote Dave Trail description: Trail was in excellent shape down to Portrero Camp and had clearly been worked on recently. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 11-05-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 11-05-2016 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: Curt Cragg reported numerous downed trees along the Lower Manzana Trail. Â Only water sources are at Coldwater and Dabney. Â LPFA is organizing a trail project to start working on the downed trees. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work Condition details: Lots of downed trees across the trail. Passable for hikers but not stock. - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 03-20-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 03-20-2016 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Over all the trail was in very good shape but the poison oak is getting a little heavy on the Cody bypass area. Â and the water was flowing well at Shcoolhouse Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 03-20-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 03-20-2016 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Over all the trail was in very good shape but the poison oak is getting a little heavy on the Cody bypass area. Â and the water was flowing well at Shcoolhouse Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 03-18-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 03-18-2016 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Water flowing from Trailhead all the way to Manzana Schoolhouse. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 01-07-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 01-07-2016 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: Passing along a report from the Forest Service: LOWER MANZANA TRAIL- There are two trees down- One about ½ mile before Coldwater, about 12†diameter, can hop over. Â- The other is about ½ mile past Coldwater and is about 8†but chest high. It looks like it’s been there a while though and there’s already a makeshift hiker trail around it.- Everything is crossable up to Coldwater, after that you’ll get wet to Schoolhouse.- Trail is in really good shape.- Campgrounds look good, other than the usual graffiti at Nira.Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 10-30-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 10-30-2015 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: LOWER MANZANA FROM NIRA TO MANZANA SCHOOLHOUSE Report by BQJThree large trees down that we could not move. Two on the road about half way between schoolhouse and where the road leaves the trail and one about half way between where the road leaves the trail and Potrero. Chainsaw or cross-cut saw will be necessary for removal. The creek was flowing but passable by hopping rock to rock. Water level seemed to be about 4-6 inches deep with  signs of maximum water level during the storm reaching 6-12 inches higher. No significant tread damage due to storm.Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 02-13-1983 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 02-13-1983 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Mode of transport: Array Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow Images:
Fixing the roof on Dabney in 1983, photo Burtness - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 10-06-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 10-06-2015 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: There is a slow but consistent trickle of water near Dabney Cabin. Mode of transport: Array Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 06-13-2015 - by Robert Feinberg
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 06-13-2015 Surveyor Name: Robert Feinberg Trail description: Hiked the upper Manzana trail from Nira to Manzana Narrows. Spent the night and returned.
Trail is easy to follow and in good condition but a little overgrown in a few places. There's a tree down across the path in between Manzana and Manzana Narrows but there's plenty of room to go under it without bending over too far.
First water after Nira is at Rays Camp which is still flowing a little bit. Rays Camp doesn't appear to show on this map, but it's about a mile before Manzana Campground. Water still flowing at Manzana and Manzana Narrows.
Camp sites are all in good shape -- pretty clean. There's one small table kind of broken at one of the sites, Manzana I think.
Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 05-22-2015 - by Caddo Mounds
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 05-22-2015 Surveyor Name: Caddo Mounds Trail description: Water good enough to Dabney Cabin on 5/22/2015 but did not see any more after that to Schoolhouse. Heard there was some water west of Schoolhouse at beaver dam but did not confirm. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 01-10-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 01-10-2015 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: VWR Mike Smith led a project to remove the downed tree at Potrero Camp. Â Using crosscut saws the tree was safely removed, see photos. Mode of transport: Array Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow Images:
They also repositioned and fixed the Potrero Sign - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 05-21-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 05-21-2014 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: Nira - Manzana School House
good water until just after Dabney Cabin
trail well traveled, but plenty of poison oak when traveling on trail as opposed to road
Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 05-24-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 05-24-2014 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: WATER COURSE UPDATE: Of the 22 Manzana Creek crossings encountered along the way, six are now dry and the water level is lower. There is more moss in evidence. TRAIL CONDITIONS: Generally very good although the trail bettween the beginning at NIRA and Coldwater Camp could use some brushing. There were two pine trees (with 10-12 inch diamaters) lying across the trail about a half mile below Coldwater plus a third one, which fell during the past two weeks, a short distance beyond that. This one created a serious obstruction in the trail, especially for livestock.ÂMode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work Condition details: Trail is in good shape. Could use some brushing between NIRA and Coldwater. People Seen: 6 Images: - Manzana Trail West (Lower) Survey - 04-20-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Manzana Trail West (Lower) Date: 04-20-2014 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: Cleared trees from NIRA down to the Schoolhouse.
Repaired fences at Schoolhouse corral.
One downed tree between Horseshoe and Coldwater.
The boards on the ‘catch pen’ still need to be repaired.Mode of transport: Stock Trail condition: Needs some work People Seen: 5
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Survey / Report Form - Please click this box to open the form.Last Updated: Tuesday, March 1, 2016
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