Hurricane Deck (Western Part)

Start at Nira, up Potrero Trail and turn west toward Manzana Schoolhouse along Hurricane Deck, then from Manzana Schoolhouse, return along Manzana river.

About 18 miles

There is something about Hurricane Deck that fascinates everyone. Maybe it is the name. Maybe it is the way it looms over anyone who hikes in the area for miles and miles. Maybe it is the element of the "extreme adventure" because it is so hard to get to, so dry and hot, and without water. You really push your body and mind to the limit up there, while also enjoying beautiful 180 degree views.

The trail is barely maintained at all. I think the Forest Service would prefer that the trail fall into disrepair and close up with brush permanently. They probably get tired of sending rescue squads, and they probably sit behind desks so much that it's too hard for them to get there themselves to keep it maintained.

Some things to consider while hiking the Deck:

• Should you decide to camp on Hurricane Deck and make it a two day hike, do not make a fire. This place will set on fire like a blowtorch!
• Don't forget to bring a few gallons of water for your camp. There is no water on Hurricane Deck. You can fill up at the Schoolhouse end or down on Lost Valley trail or at the White Ledge end, but on top, you will have no water at all any time of year. You can stash water on Hurricane Deck a week in advance if this concerns you.
• You should probably consider bringing a pair of clippers or even a small saw. You will most likely need to hack your way through here or there. The brush is very scratchy, so bring appropriate clothes and gloves, too.

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

Hurricane Deck (the entire thing) Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: March 31, 2008, 1:32 pm
by: Diane

Hiked the Hurricane Deck trail from White Ledge to Potrero. Unfortunately, the fire did very little "damage" (I'd like to consider it more like "clean-up") to the trail. It's just as miserable and overgrown as ever.

The section starting at White Ledge has burned quite a bit and can be a bit hard to follow in a couple of spots, but having it be open like that is nice. Once you pass out of this burn zone, most of the rest of the trail is untouched by the fire.

A few places along the crestline are burned on the front side and a little over the crest. It's a little easier to walk through this burned crest but there are enough burned twigs and yucca coming back to life to make it difficult.

Better luck next time.

Posted: March 14, 2008, 8:04 am
by: trav867

Just read Diane's post in the General Discussion forum- I had no idea the extent of the fire damage- looks like the wilderness will be closed for a long time. Looks like I'll be headed to Sespe Wilderness this spring...

Posted: March 14, 2008, 7:17 am
by: pjthermos777

Nira and Davey Brown campgrounds are still closed. I attemped to go for hike two weeks ago. I ended up just doing a different trail.

I would like to know when it will open again.

Posted: March 13, 2008, 9:57 am
by: trav867

Can't give any info about fire damage, but I'm curious about the status of the wilderness. From the Los Padres National Forest website, I gather that the majority of the place is still "closed." Can anyone tell me with certainty whether this is accurate?

Posted: February 22, 2008, 8:52 am
by: pjthermos777

I am thinking about planning a backpacking trip with a few friends. What is the condition of Hurricane Deck and what about the fire damage?

Planning on going sometime in March.

Thanks for any help that you can give.

-Peter

Posted: May 11, 2006, 5:42 pm
by: trav867

I did the Nira-Manzana-Whiteledge-Lost Valley loop Sunday and Monday. I had never been to San Rafael before. I started from Nira at about 2 pm and camped at Manzana Narrows. Got up early and made great time to the Whiteledge camp.

The first mile or so of Hurricane Deck from Whiteledge is fine, but once you hit the chaparral the going gets reallly tough. I did the Hurricane Deck section between about 11 am and 3pm and honestly it was horrible- a combination of crouching through brush, losing the trail, and picking off ticks. At some points, the only way I could find the trail was by looking for cuts in the brush- thanks Bryan!

The lost valley trail was beautiful- there are 2 spots within a mile of the Hurricane Deck Junction where I found water. It's getting hot during the day, and from whiteledge I'd say bring at least 3 if not 4 litres.

I made it back to nira at 7pm- I would not recommend anyone doing the narrows-whiteledge-deck-lost valley- nira trip in one day. I'm 21 and training for a june marathon, and the trip nearly killed me.

Also, be warned! I just got back from the doctor where I picked up a perscription for Poison Oak medication. I thought I knew what the stuff looked like, but apparently not.

I have a complete journal if anyone is interested in reading it, but if you're planning on doing the loop, just know that the 5 or so miles of Hurricane Deck are basically hell. That said, everything from Nira to Whiteledge was absolutely perfect, and lost valley trail is in decent shape.

Posted: May 8, 2006, 4:10 pm
by: Brian_

Is the trail still passable?

Posted: March 28, 2006, 6:34 pm
by: Bryan

Hiked Western HDeck on weekend on March 5-6, 2006. Trail was pretty overgrown but was passable - no crawling. I've seen the trail better but certainly seen it worse. I brought along loppers and tried to clear as much as I could. I ended up making obvious cuts every 20 yards or so. That way you could follow the trail by looking for the cuts. Anyway the views are nice and never even saw a footprint.

Posted: March 5, 2006, 8:28 pm
by: Anonymous

25-26 Feb. 2006 Hiked Manzana Trail to Manzana Schoolhouse and camped there. Then hiked up Hurricane Deck and down Potrero Trail. Hurricane Deck was a bit overgrown, but passable. We lost the trail twice, but found it again. Encountered some ticks and 2 rattlesnakes. The junction with Potrero trail was unmarked, but otherwise pretty evident (I was afraid of passing it). There is a nice meadow with Chumash cave paintings on Potrero Trail, worth the small side trip.

---

Posted: January 17, 2006, 12:25 pm
by: Anonymous

Did the Nira-Manzana-Whiteledge-Lost Valley loop. Pretty dense brush on the Whiteledge-Lost Valley section of Hurrican Deck. The sign said 5 miles, but it took a solid 4 hours.
No ticks, no snakes. Watch out for the tricky switchbacks in the trail description.
Anyone know what the actual mileage is on this section?

Posted: November 19, 2005, 10:46 pm
by: Chris Chirgwin

Hiked from Nira to the Schoolhouse on Friday, November 18. Camped overnight at the school house (no water about 1 mile below Dabney Cabin to the Sisquoc). On Saturday, hiked up Hurricane Deck to Potrero Trail and back down to Nira. There was alot of brush on Hurricane Deck that slowed us down. Potrero Trail was in good condition however.

Posted: June 1, 2005, 6:01 pm
by: BSA Troop 42

30 May 05 – White Ledge Camp to Lost Valley Trail junction. Good trail. One rattlesnake encountered; no ticks. Hikers and packs turned yellow from blooming Greasewood pollen. Our deepest thanks to those with the energy and initiative required to maintain the trails. It was fun to recognize the spots that Diane mentions in her Trail Guide.

Posted: April 18, 2005, 1:45 pm
by: Anonymous

Hello Diane,
Thanks again for your site. You make enjoying the trails so much better.

There is a bad cave-in on Hurricane Deck between Lost Canyon Trail and Big Bend Trail. It is dangerous without ropes. The trail that had gone to the north side is awkwardly absent for almost a hundred feet - and several hundred feet down.

It is possible to climb up the ridge but is very loose and steep with no solid holds.

With that exception, the Marathon Loop was everything you described.

Thank you!
Dave

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:36 pm
by: Diane

Post your updates here.