Manzana Schoolhouse and Dabney Cabin

Manzana Schoolhouse is an old schoolhouse last used approx. 1901 when there was a community of religious people living in the area. It has been abandoned since then. Dabney Cabin is an old hunting lodge from near the turn of the century and is a county historical landmark.

The trail is strenuous only because it is long and involves many river crossings that will get your feet wet. But the trail itself is quite level.

You hike in the San Rafael Wilderness area where the terrain is remote and wild. The vegetation is sparse, but in the creekbed it is riparian and relatively lush and cool. There is a high trail and a low trail to get to both the cabin and the schoolhouse, and it is easy to not know which one you are on, except for the fact that the low trail gets your feet wetter.

It is 14 miles round trip to Dabney Cabin.

It is 17 miles round trip to the schoolhouse.

You will need an Adventure Pass to park at the trailhead.

Manzana Narrows/Whiteledge Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: September 28, 2009, 4:48 pm
by: boots

hiked round trip, nira to white ledge canyon, 9/25-9/27. water was flowing nicely in the creek at manzana narrows camp and manzana camp, and to about a mile downstream from manzana camp. between there and nira, however, water is only to be found in small shaded and shallow pools, mostly stagnant. a few of these small pools are not far from nira. at manzana narrows camp the waterfall is flowing nicely and that lovely dipping pool is full. there's no water once you get away from manzana creek and hike up toward white ledge, so take a filter and pump what you need before you leave the creek. saw a black bear at manzana narrows camp. trail is in generally good shape and is pretty well marked with ducks and, up toward white ledge, some old marking tape. good job, trail guys!

Posted: July 6, 2009, 11:47 am
by: Jade

I hiked into Fish Camp and stayed for a few days, with a day hike to Manzana Camp.

There's plenty of water in the Manzana up to Fish Camp. It goes dry just downstream of the camp, and stays dry for maybe 0.5-1 mile, but there's lots and lots of water further upstream on the hike to Manzana. Fish creek itself seems to be dry, but I didn't explore more than 5 or 10 minutes upstream. There is a pool close to the camp that was very nice and refreshing, with lots of little fish in it that like to nibble on your toes.

It was hot! We had plenty of water with us, but a couple people in my group were getting heatstroke on the hike in anyway. I don't think it reached 100 though, so I guess it could have been worse. On the plus side, we only saw one other person on the trail the entire time.

We saw a few deer, a fox, and a red-tailed hawk killing a snake on the road in front of our car (that was a neat experience!). The biggest shock for me was a gartersnake swimming in the pool at fish camp just a foot away from my toes! All in all, an excellent camping trip.

Posted: June 7, 2009, 8:35 am
by: Bryan

June 6, 2009
Still water flowing through the Manzana from the Narrows all the way to Nira.

Posted: April 5, 2009, 4:25 pm
by: Diane

Fortunately I was with a crew that put up lots of flags and ducks in the area. You should be able to follow the way if you stay really alert. The trail gets a little hidden on the mesa past Whiteledge and then again in the boulder field on the way to Lonnie Davis and beyond to South Fork. But our ducks and flags should help.

Posted: April 1, 2009, 12:57 pm
by: Duane

Sisquoc Loop hike (March 28-31, 2009).

The trail from White Ledge down to South Fork is almost completely washed out. Flags and ducks help lead the way, and there is occasionally some trail tread, but the combination of fire and flood has destroyed the majority of the trail. I imagine that it is impassable to stock.

I averaged about a mile an hour as I made my way down.

Posted: March 22, 2009, 12:50 am
by: trinds

Hiked from Nira to Manzana Narrows the weekend of the 14th (March). Hiking was great. Trail was in awesome shape and beautiful. Lots of wildflowers and still some snow visible from Happy Hunting Grounds area.

ONE WARNING: I came within inches of stepping on a good size rattlesnake that was hanging out on a rock about three miles in from the trailhead (1/2 mile or so before I got to Fish Camp hiking out). It was pretty scary. Big Fella. Anyway, be careful in these next couple of months! And yes, in case you were convincing yourself otherwise, there are rattlesnakes there and close to the trail!

Have a great time. Water is flowing at the Manzana Narrows campground.

Posted: January 27, 2009, 9:10 am
by: Wilderness Walker

Just returned from an overnight backpack trip to the top of the switchbacks on Sunday and what a hike! The vegetation is coming in good now almost two years after the Zaca fire destroyed everything. Was worried about the rains we'd been having but all we got was a couple drizzles on Saturday. The night was a bit chilly and foggy but was found some dry wood and built a small fire which kept us warm and dry. On Sunday we couldn't have asked for nicer weather. The sun came out all day and we made it back to Nira in half the time. The trail was in good condition and there was plenty of water in the creek. However it is still dry around fish camp.

Posted: December 22, 2008, 6:38 pm
by: carp_nb

I've been out to the Narrows or past them twice in the past month now. The Trail is in great shape all the way to the top of the switchbacks past the Narrows. From the top of the pass down to Happy Hunting Ground is a little tricky in places but not too bad. There's quite a few rock cairns and ribbons to help guide the way.

From Happy Hunting Ground to White Ledge was pretty easy to follow too. White Ledge to Lonnie Davis wasn't bad except for as you near Lonnie Davis. You're basically hiking through a dry creek bed and there aren't many cairns or ribbons. Even it really wasn't too bad.

As of last weekend (12.20), there was plenty of water in the Manzanna all the way past the Narrows (even though the creek dries up substantially around Fish Camp). The creek up along the top of the pass had a steady little flow. White Ledge Creek had plenty of water and so did the South Fork of the Sisquoc at Lonnie Davis.

Nice all around.

Posted: June 25, 2008, 11:47 pm
by: rob.guzzon

Backpacked in from Nira to Manzana Campsite over the (hot) weekend of June 20th on the way to San Rafael Mountain. Trail is in very good condition and is easy to follow, with water flowing all the way. Signs of the burn all along the valley, but all of the campsites seem to have been spared. Manzana Campsite is a great spot, right next to a few pools of water and nice small waterfalls for washing.

hiking out:

looking south with manzana campsite right around the corner:

water at manzana:

The next day we attempted to follow Big Cone Spruce Trail up to the McKinley Mountain fire road, and had a tough time of it. I'll post some details on that thread.
More photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robguzzon/sets/72157605820500114/

Posted: June 17, 2008, 11:44 am
by: mikerbaker

I, my buddy, and my 7-year-old daughter took this trail for my daughter's first over-night backpack trip. The good news - she loves it and can't wait to go again. Over all, I'd say we had a great trip. Due to my daughter carrying a backpack for the first time (and I and my buddy being a bit out of shape) we only hiked out to Fish Camp, which we guessed was about 3 miles from the trail head. There was plenty of water to filter and to wade in, but the trail was somewhat difficult for a little girl's first time - it was hot, parts were sandy, and some of the trail was washed out so we had to carry her a couple of times. I probably took us about 4 hours of hiking. The good news is that there were plenty of wildflowers to see in spite of the recent fires, there was a nice stretch of trees in the beginning and trees at and past Fish Camp, and the trail back was light, quick, and downhill. There was actually very little poison oak. Camping was easy - there was level ground under huge oaks and sycamores and a really nice picnic table and it was close to water. We had steak for dinner and bacon and eggs for breakfast so my daughter was quite happy. We left this trail with her wanting to come back again.

Some tips: I scrambled and seasoned the eggs and froze them in a freezer bag - froze all the food in freezer bags before we left. Brought powdered Propel drink which she really enjoyed. Brought plenty of gallon freezer bags for trash (they hold a lot if you sit on them before you seal them). If you bring a kid that's never been, teach them how to lean with the pack when going uphill or downhill, how to dig in heals and sides of feet on loose ground, how to shift weight on loose ground, and how to adjust a backpack every now and then to ease the weight. You might also need to teach them how to poop in the woods. Bring a variety of high-energy snacks (you might want to let them try it before you go and even let them make their own trail mix).

Posted: May 27, 2008, 10:01 am
by: carp_nb

Ended up hiking from Nira to Manzanna Narrows, set up camp and then day hiked out to Happy Hunting Ground and back over the weekend.

Still plenty of water in Manzanna Creek. The trail was in great condition up until the top of the rise between the Narrows and Happy Hunting Ground. From the top down to HHG, the trail became pretty hard to follow in places. Not terrible, but just enough to slow you down and make you think every now and then about the where trail heads to. Ended up following some bear and big cat tracks up a dry creek bed for a little while when the trail temporarily disappeared. We tried to add a few rock cairns for future travellers.

We had hoped to get farther than HHG, but experienced pretty steady rain all day Sunday which made for soggy hiking after a while. It's really beautiful out there now with all the new post fire re-growth and the opened up vistas. Spent a bit of time exploring amongst the rocks and caves too. Fun times!

The camp at HHG looked like it's reverting back to wildness... it got burned out pretty good in the fire and the trail and camp area are largely grown over with meadow grasses, wildflowers and sage. Pretty much just make your own trail and look for an occasional ribbon or cairn. There was still a steady little trickle of water coming out of the creek in HHG.

---

Posted: March 31, 2008, 1:34 pm
by: Diane

We hiked Manzana to White Ledge. The Zaca fire and winter rains have devastated much of the trail. You can still follow it but it is difficult in some areas. Nevertheless, it's amazingly beautiful with the open vistas and wildflowers. The campsites have all been spared for the most part and the creek is flowing and full of life.

Posted: January 8, 2008, 5:09 pm
by: icangobackintime

Nice mellow walking here with only a couple switchbacks and not very much elevation gain. The scenery is great all year round, but there is basically no water sources past Summer. Twice it is now that I've had a bad experience on this trail, which isn't to say it's a bad trail but rather bad luck. One time my friend got sick once when we set up camp and had to leave almost immediately. When I decided to try and conquer the trail again, this time alone, I awoke in the night to hear several LOUD screams!! I got out of my tent to see what was going on, but that blood curdling scream wasn't heard again. Freaked me out something awful!! Could've been a mountain lion, could have been some kids messing with me, I don't know, but I now have doubts about this being a "safe" trail.

Posted: June 15, 2007, 1:46 pm
by: pennyhutchens

Hiked in trail May 16 2007. Trail to Manzana in good condition. Lots of day and overnight hikers though so be prepared for company. At campsite 5 miles in a camper made us aware of a mountain lion sighting. He said twice in the night the large male cat entered the campsite and made aggressive sounds and gestures. Be on the look out and keep the dogs and kids close.

Posted: May 8, 2007, 12:16 pm
by: dgoodner

Hiked east out of Nira last weekend (April 28th) headed for west Nira the long way around.

First couple days it was very hot, and of course that figures as we had the heaviest packs. Fortunately it cooled off over the next few days, and we hiked in the early morning hours.

Water was plentiful along the Manzana Creek.

There was water at Happy Hunting -- won’t last long though.
White Ledge also had water, as you might expect if Happy Hunting had it.

Water was good at Lonnie Davis, as well as South Fork. Not as high as I would like to see it this time of year, but plenty to drink and cook.

Water was present all along the Sisquoc, but I suspect that this will be a short-lived water year at the lower ends of the river.

Water was also good all along the Sisquoc until about a mile and half before Schoolhouse. Again, day by day, I expect the river will recede.

Water was also present at the east entrance of Schoolhouse on the Manzana creek.

Ticks weren’t to bad -- I’ve seen so much worst.

Lots of beaver activity. Actually sat an watched a beaver do its thing one afternoon. Pretty awesome.

One note: the trail is washed out somewhere near Forester’s Leap. Headed west (out of South Fork) it is treacherous... but we made it. Coming the other way, it would be much more difficult. It may not even be doable. I suggest taking the river through this portion of the trail.

Second note: trail is negligible between Miller and Sycamore. (Nothing new.) Although we made a dent in the thickets, and tried to replace ducks as we went.

Third note: Wizard cave painting seems to be showing its age. It wasn’t due to vandalism -- thankfully -- it’s just been ravaged by the elements.

We have such a spectacular refuge here in the San Rafael and Dick Smith, and I wish I could get out there more often for longer periods.

Posted: April 19, 2007, 9:05 pm
by: goletasteve

Hiked out of Southfork/whiteledge to Nyra on March 25 after a five day shuttle from Judell Trail . This trail is in great shape. The only thing to report was an AMAZING number of ticks the half mile after Whitelege that follows the creek. I was also amazed and pleasantly surprised to find the piece of driftwood I had burned "WHITELEDGE 04" onto 3 years at Whiteledge camp. Somebody had tied it up to the oak tree there. Pretty cool.

Posted: October 21, 2006, 3:29 pm
by: coyotetrack

Hello to all,

I did a quick 3 day backpack from Nira to South Fork and back starting on October 18. After arriving at Nira after dark I camped in my truck and then got an early start the next morning. Since my aim was to hike about 32 miles in 3 days I wanted to get as far as Happy Hunting Ground the first night, which is about 12 miles from TH. Unfortunately, I started to feel ill and by the time I made it to Manzana Narrows I was ready to stop for the day. The only thing that kept me going was the flies. As long as I kept moving they were'net bothering me too bad. I knew that there would be a slim chance of any water at HHG so I filled up at MN. By the time I made it to HHG I simply collapsed on the ground and slept about 12 hours.

The next morning I awoke feeling a bit better but that didn't last too long. My goal was to make it to South Fork and then back to Manzana Narrows. I left most of my gear sitting at HHG knowing that I would be back later that day.

So I hiked down, took a look at a Chumash rockart site, past White Ledge (still no water) and then finally to South Fork Station.

Plenty of water at SFS being that it's right along the Sisquoc.

I wasn't feeling to bed but I knew that I had a climb back up to HHG and then even further up and over to MN.

I stopped and picked up my gear at HHG and then walked slowly up to the crest around 4000 feet. It was then a 1000 feet down to MN which turned out to be the worst with quivering thighes and a knotted stomach. Total of about 13 miles.

Again I collapsed on a picnic bench for another 12 hours and awoke for the 7 miles out to Nira.

With my sob story put aside, the hike was nice with warm days and cool nights. The trails are in good condition and I did my part with my hand pruner to clear away some encroaching branches. There is plenty of poison oak but not bad enough to matter. I saw plenty of birds, two fox and a bobcat that was walking down the trail in the same direction and didn't notice me for about 100 yards then jumped into the brush.

This was my first trip on these trails and I found it odd that several camps had picnic tables and even latrines. In my opinion, they shouldn't be there but I realize that sometime it's better to provide these amenities at heavily used sites.

All-in-all it was a great walk.

Posted: August 21, 2006, 11:59 am
by: Adam

My wife and I did this as the last leg of the Manzana-Sisquoc-Manzana loop on August 20. There was plenty of water down at South Fork, but by the time we got up to White Ledge camp and the Hurricane Deck junction, all that remained were some small, stagnant pools. From there, no water until Manzana Creek. The trail is in good shape and easy to follow, but also hot and exposed to the sun. The berry-filled scat we found indicates that the bears are well-fed. There were also a lot of ticks attempting to make themselves well-fed on our dogs and ourselves. The Lonnie Davis, White Ledge, and Happy Hunting Ground camps were all in good shape, though I didn't see any water at Happy Hunting Ground.
Manzana Narrows had very recent evidence of yahoos. Trash, cig butts, and food were scattered over one campsite and I had to put out a fire smoldering a good 6 feet away from the fire ring. In some dry oak leaves. Good thing we happened to get there probably only an hour or two after they left. The trail between the Narrows and Nira doesn't follow the river as closely as the maps indicate, so expect it to be drier and more sun-baked than a nice shady canyon stroll. It is well-used and easily to follow, though. Manzana is dry in a couple places, but most of it has plenty of water.

Posted: August 14, 2006, 7:26 pm
by: BernardMines

08/13/06

Hiked out of Nira to the top of Whiteledge Cyn as a day trip.

The trail is in great shape. We had deceptively cool weather the night before, it got warmer thruought the day. Drank 5+ liters of water. It was a cool 88 F at the top so it must have been over 100 going up the switchbacks above the Narrows. This is really beautiful country. Saw 5 people 2 groups, one was packing back from the Narrows, another hiked just to the narrows. There is a reason for this destination the narrows has a really nice swimming hole with 2 waterfalls feeding it.

Also saw a Bobcat. We think he was stalking birds. Lots of hunters, these guys seemed like yobos, one of them even had face paint on, but they all congregated on the road, so the deer even a little ways out were probably safe. I suspect the Forrest service signs fared a worse fate.

Highlights of the trip
1. The view at the top of Whiteledge Cyn.
2. The swimming hole at the Narrows
3. bobcat sighting.
4. beer in the ice chest at the end of a long day.

There were 5 of us on the trip, We originally planned to hike the loop, but after reading about the 5 miles between Whiteledge camp and the Lost Valley trail were dissuaded, as we were only hiking this as a day hike.

I think we'll do the loop in early October so we can hike the deck in the full moon, making it a 2-day trip. It should be fairly easy to do as a 2-day trip. Maybe we can explore some of those rock caves and Pinnacles better. I agree with Diane that the area around Whiteledge seems sacred. Its amazing laying there in the shade listening to the wind whistle thru the pines amid these incredible rock formations. I wonder who came up with the name "Happy Hunting Ground" I wonder if the Chumash attached special sacred significance to this area.

Posted: May 22, 2006, 11:47 am
by: RR

B.P.'d Nira to the Narrows May 18-21. Second day out went to Big Cone Spruce Camp. Back to the Narrows third day. Trail becoming overgrown in some spots. Tall grass etc. Plenty of ticks- saw several snakes. 3 smaller rattlers. Water X-ings all passable. Some more difficult than others. Narrows camp in great shape. BCS camp has a run-off stream of some sort running thru the back half of camp and a lot of branches down. Newer camp spot with new table located less than 100 yds further down the trail tucked in behind a grassy clearing (not near the stream). Trail to BCS easy to follow considering it had been overgrown for many years. Worth checking out. Cooler temps. and fewer bugs at BCS.

Posted: April 24, 2006, 9:16 am
by: jrsdthird

Did Nira to Narrows on 4/22-23. Trail is great. Be prepared to get wet through the stream crossings!

Posted: March 28, 2006, 6:56 pm
by: Bryan

Trail is in great shape. Sorry nothing else to report.

Posted: February 27, 2006, 2:27 pm
by: Anonymous

Went from Nira to Manzana Narrows the weekend of 2/25. No snow, plenty of ticks, no snakes. Water is plentiful, while creek crossings are still managable. Didn't know about the porta-potty at Manzana until the last day of our visit-- it's worth hunting for, simply because of its great view of Hurricane Deck!

Posted: February 20, 2006, 1:05 pm
by: Anonymous

Just back in from the Narrows and getting a full 3 inches of snow! Trail still in great shape though.

Posted: January 24, 2006, 3:31 pm
by: Anonymous

Forget about the upper trail heading downriver from the Potrero junction. Despite the valiant efforts of the USFS, the trail no longer exists. Coyotes still use it, however, so the tick population is plenty healthy.

Posted: January 17, 2006, 12:54 pm
by: Anonymous

Did the Nira-Manzana-Whiteledge-Lost Valley loop. Pretty clear trail on this section. Water was low if there at all even with the downpour we hiked through. Wish we could have seen the narrows on a clear day. Campsites seemed immaculate compared to other trails I've been on. Beautiful view from the top. As a note, Happy Hunting ground is a mile or so past the highest point on this part of the hike.
Mileage signs on the loop don't quite seem accurate. It was a pretty long 4 miles from Big Cone Spruce trail to Happy Hunting Ground. See loop trail post for more.

Posted: November 14, 2005, 2:36 pm
by: BSA Troop 42

Hiked Manzana Creek from Big Cone Spruce Camp to NIRA on 13 November 2005. The trail is cleared and well marked. Flowing Creek through Big Cone Spruce to past Oasis Camp; then it comes and goes. Flowing at NIRA. 21 Creek crossings, including the now dry ones at and just above Fish Creek Camp. Up Creek water tastes better than lower.

Posted: November 8, 2005, 8:27 pm
by: Anonymous

A friend and I just did an overnight at Manzana Schoolhouse--on the night of November 6. There was plenty of water most of the way down, but it stopped short about a mile away from the schoolhouse campgrounds. I didn't check for water at the confluence of the Sisquoc and Manzana. There might be, but if you're staying the night anytime soon at Schoolhouse fill up with water a mile or two before the campsite. Also, we pulled in just as it was getting dark and set up our tent. When we awoke the next morning we discovered the ground was riddled with horse dung, so watch where you pitch. The trip was amazing--the sycamore leaves were turning nicely and the temperature was pleasantly cool in the evening and warm (75-ish) during the day.

Posted: September 19, 2005, 11:06 pm
by: Anonymous

Talked to two guys who came off White Ledge yesterday and said there are only a few stagnant pools between the Narrows and White Ledge. Still lots of water at the Narrows.[/b]

Posted: July 15, 2005, 8:50 am
by: Anonymous

Camped out at Nira July 12, 2005. There is still a ton of water out there. Water levels are like mid Spring yet the water temperatures are like mid July. A swimmers paradise. All of a sudden Nira is a summer time destination. Lots of flies and it was very hot. Read in the register of a guy who was out in the San Rafael for a 12 day trip in July!!!! This year that trip is doable.

Posted: June 1, 2005, 6:02 pm
by: BSA Troop 42

28 – 29 May 05 – NIRA to White Ledge Camp. Trail is excellent. Manzana Creek was rock hop-able. White Ledge Creek started surface flow about one football field above Happy Hunting Ground Camp. Few ticks and no rattlesnakes encountered. Our deepest thanks to those with the energy and initiative required to maintain the trails.

Posted: April 11, 2005, 4:47 am
by: Anonymous

Off of Sunset Valley Road just before the road plunges into Sunset Valley. 19 Creek crossings to Fish Creek Falls. Old trail segments along Creek.

Posted: March 29, 2005, 12:59 pm
by: Anonymous

Hiked to Manzana from NIra. Trail was in good shape, given the numerous showers we have had. It rained all weekend, but the rivers did not swell significantly.

Crossing at Nira was knee-deep -- both right outside the camp, and a little ways up where it is wider.

Other crossings: Fish Creek, just past Fish Creek, and some of the later ones required rock hopping and water-tight boots. Trekking poles came in really handy.

I am looking forward to some summer trip with the possibility that there will be some water out there late into the summer, maybe even the fall.

Oh, and the ticks and poison oak are coming into their own... be advised.

Posted: February 20, 2005, 12:01 am
by: Anonymous

19/20 February 2005 - Backpacked NIRA Campground to Manzana Camp. Trail good overall; some erosion. When the Manzana Creek trail crossing above NIRA looks dangerous, like now, a better place to cross is reached by hiking upcreek until you run out of something to walk on and cross there; where the Creek is wider. This point will get you "above" the Wilderness Entry sign on the other side of the Creek.

Posted: February 3, 2005, 12:01 am
by: Anonymous

Nira is open. Felt sorry for the dude hiking in from Happy Canyon as I drove by. Oh well!

Hiked in to Fish Creek. Trail is washed out in sections but in fine hiking shape.

Happy Cyn looks to be closed for quite some time so get used to the drive up past Figueroa.

Its nice when Lost Valley is flowing like Manzana usually does. Lots of water. First crossing at Manzana was about knee deep, Fish Creek crossing was rock hoppable.

Posted: January 21, 2002, 9:50 am
by: Diane

Post your updates here.