Forbush Flat

Forbush Flat is a campsite about 2 miles from the trailhead which makes a nice destination for a short overnight backpack trip, or at least a nice picnic.

The trail to Forbush Flat starts out downhill first and goes down into the canyon where there is lush vegetation and a small creek. The camp is in a meadow with some tall trees and some old apple trees from when it was once an old homestead a long time ago.

Be careful with hikes that start downhill if you are not in good shape. You will start out feeling so confident of your abilities that you may end up not appreciating how much uphill you have to do to get back to your car.

Forbush Flat and Gidney Ridge Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: December 29, 2007, 6:11 pm
by: goodlander

I backpacked the Forbush trail the past three days. Camped at Mono the first night and moved back up to Forbush the following night, then hiked on over into town. The trail was in pretty good shape the whole way except for a few slumps and one spot in the cotton woods near mono where a fire break went straight through the middle of the trail. Got a bit confused as to where the trail went, but finally found it. Water was pretty much stagnant at forbush except for a tiny little pool. Never found any ticks, due to the season I suppose. Overall, a fantastic trip that I would do again in the future.

Posted: February 18, 2007, 9:50 pm
by: kevin751

Hiked to Forbush Flat on 2/18/2007.

It was beautiful, well maintained. Trail was nice and dry, though we did see two ticks. Would've liked to have started earlier so we could hike further!

Posted: January 2, 2007, 8:01 am
by: axel

This trail is in great shape. There has been a lot of bush clearing and repair, including a new bench at the Addison Buckley water basin and slide repair near the crest. No water in the basin yet, but I could hear water flowing in the campground at Forebush. No ticks, and the chaparral is in pristine winter condition. Thank you to the wonderful angels doing service on this trail!

Posted: May 15, 2006, 12:13 pm
by: Jeff

May 13th, the trail is in good condition. A few short sections of bushes crowding the trail, plenty of water in the creek at the camp. Great wildflowers, a few ticks. Best of all, the sun is out, the sky is blue and it's warm!

Posted: March 2, 2006, 9:43 pm
by: Anonymous

Spent night of 3/1. This site is muddy and very ticky, and on a weeknight there were several others there.

I plan to come back when it dries out a bit, and some other critters eat the ticks up. I much prefer black fly to stuff that joins you in your tent.

Posted: February 14, 2006, 1:46 am
by: Anonymous

Spent 2/11-2/12 at Forbush. Trail in great condition. No water until you hit Forbush campsite. Lots of dayhikers. Firepit was recently moved but old ash was not.

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Posted: January 17, 2006, 1:51 pm
by: BSA Troop 42

We backpacked Cold Spring Trail through Forbush Flat Camp on 14 January 2006. The trail is in very good condition. No water in the bench water trough. Flowing water at Forbush Flat and some of Fred’s apples are still on the tree. Thank you to those who maintain the trails and camps.

Posted: November 24, 2005, 10:51 am
by: Anonymous

I took my dogs down to Forbush Flat campsite, thinking about camping on Novemebr 19th, but the ticks were so thick on my dogs, I had to leave. My dogs had Frontline Advantage on them from two weeks prior and I had also placed 100% deet around their collar area.

I removed at least 100 ticks from each of them and 5 from my clothing, and 2 from my body unfortunately.

Great place, but look out for these nasty critters.

Posted: November 9, 2005, 11:44 pm
by: Anonymous

I took a much needed mental health day off last Friday and hiked down to Forbush Flats and on to the river. Just spectacular. The quiet, the solitude, the isolation. Just two people on the trail. There is a beautiful pool of water, and a few trees with good fall color. Trail a little overgrown towards the end, but otherwise in very nice condition. Had a little picnic at the river, built a little campfire too. Take this hike to recharge your batteries.

Posted: September 11, 2005, 8:45 pm
by: Anonymous

9/11

Hiked down to Forbush, Cottam, and out at Big Caliente earlier today. The trail is fantastic down to Forbush. From Forbush to Cottam the trail is very followable but there are some brushy sections. From Cottam down to the Santa Ynez River the trail is tough to follow but has been signed recently by the forest service. I followed the mostly dry creek bed down to the River. Be sure to turn right at the one 'trail sign' fork near the Santa Ynez. Very nice hike and thanks to the family that picked me up near Big Caliente and drove me back to my truck!

Posted: April 17, 2005, 3:43 pm
by: Jeff

Trail is in very good condition. One slide area about midway, but not bad. Plenty of water, wildflowers and greenery. The wild oat grass that chokes up the western portion of the upper trail is only waist high. No ticks today and my socks survived without ankle gaitors (but in about a month all those wonderful burrs will be out in full force).

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:24 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.