Cathedral Peak

This is a super strenuous boulder hop. It's been suggested I recommend you not bring a dog. I'll leave it up to you.

You start the trail on a paved access road that the Edison Company uses. After a mile of gentle uphill, the road turns to dirt and you follow it just a little more toward the turnoff to Jesusita Trail. Take Jesusita Trail to the first creek crossing on Mission Creek, then turn right up mission creek and look for a steep trail on the left that continues up to Cathedral Peak.

This is a steep trail that takes you on a class three rock climb to the top of “Cathedral Peak.” The actual Cathedral Peak, at 3333 ft., is a jutting rock formation a bit further, but this trail goes to a peak just in front of it, properly named Arlington Peak, where there is a nook in a rock with a sign-in book to register your joyous summit.

The views are amazing, stretching from Oxnard on a very clear day all the way up the coast past Goleta and out into the Channel, past the Islands.

The hike is about 4 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 3000 ft.

Cathedral Peak Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: June 14, 2009, 6:15 pm
by: nick stone

I have hiked down several times from La Cumbre peak to Cathedral and Arlington peak post-fire. The main trail that drops down from La Cumbre from near the dish array has been heavily cleared some distance down, by fire crews I assume, and the feeder trails that start more directly under the peak have been pretty heavily cut as well.There are areas on the smaller trails as well as a few places on the main trail with brush cuts that were made at a sharp angle leaving very sharp stubs pointing up that could cause very nasty injuries if you slipped and landed on one.

The main trail down is very dry and loose; be prepared to do some sliding!

The main trail down, the saddle (elfin forest), and up to Cathedral peak did not burn. Past Cathedral there is heavy burn including Arlington ridge.

Some parts of the secondary trails near the top were buried in cut brush, and those are now clear.

The trail between Cathedral and Arlington had some burn-fall on it that had to be cleared.

I have only gone part way down Arlington ridge, but although burned, the trail was in good shape; some of the softer areas further down probably have a lot of dusty ash. It also looks from the footprints that a few people have been going up the ridge from tunnel road; tempting for sure, but probably not a good idea to be entering from the closed area.

I was surprised to see that the entire area is not the total moonscape I imagined; there are significant patches that did not burn.

One last note: only a few weeks after the burn, stunningly green shoots of scrub oak and ceanothus are sprouting here and there at the base of burned brush.

Posted: March 5, 2009, 4:24 pm
by: Esteban

You can thank: el Gato of the Wednesday Night Sierra Club Hikes for cutting and marking trail between the Peak and the Saddle. Glad you found it,

pope wrote:

A month later we came back to do this hike the right way, to keep going up to La Cumbre Peak then come down via Tunnel Trail. A six hour hike but a great adventure. Wanted to thank those who did the great job cutting and placing cairns on the uphill part between Cathedral and La Cumbre. We would have been very confused in a few spots but some miracle worked seemed to have come through very recently for some maintenance. I need to reciprocate on my next venture up there. We really loved the saddle between Cathedral and La Cumbre. The elfin forest in there has a nice feel and even that crazy area where there are reeds. I'd like to see if there is anywhere to shoot off to from there.

 

Posted: March 1, 2009, 9:47 pm
by: pope

A month later we came back to do this hike the right way, to keep going up to La Cumbre Peak then come down via Tunnel Trail. A six hour hike but a great adventure.

Wanted to thank those who did the great job cutting and placing cairns on the uphill part between Cathedral and La Cumbre. We would have been very confused in a few spots but some miracle worked seemed to have come through very recently for some maintenance. I need to reciprocate on my next venture up there.

We really loved the saddle between Cathedral and La Cumbre. The elfin forest in there has a nice feel and even that crazy area where there are reeds. I'd like to see if there is anywhere to shoot off to from there.

 

Posted: January 31, 2009, 4:45 pm
by: pope

Hadn't been up there in a long time until today, and the trail is in great shape. First time to go past Arlington and to Cathedral Peak proper, and first time to find the grotto rumored to have held stolen horses in previous centuries. Would like to continue on to La Cumbre Peak and make the loop to Tunnel Trail someday. JBay's advice in the previous post was good to know for the way down, easy to get confused and end up on the Northern face.

 

Posted: December 24, 2007, 10:12 am
by: jbaysurfer

Did this trail on Friday for the first time. I've been exploring mission canyon once or twice a week progressively seeking out higher spots to psyche myself up to try this trail.

It's spectacular! The hike is steep and fun, watch your steps in some places, cause slips could be consequential. If you're not good at routefinding you might want to go up there with someone else who's been there. I took my time to do most of my bouldering on the way down and used the extra elevation to routefind, but still made a mistake toward the bottom I'd like to warn you about.

Toward the bottom, as the trail dips back into the vegetation, be sure to find the trail on the south edge of the ridge for your decent. If you get to a spot in the undergrowth and think "this is steeper/different then I remember", and you're on the north side of the slope, you're in for an adventurous decent through what basically is a washout. There's lots of poison oak, and foot travel (like mine) can only contribute to erosion. It will dump you off well above 3 pools, then you've got some bouldering to do to descend the creek. This part is not a tragedy in and of itself, but when you are very tired, alone and did not upclimb the pools, it's an interesting downclimb. All in all, as you enter the vegetation off dragons back, stay to the southside of the ridge and you'll find the trail you ascended on.

Great climb, I'm stretching sore muscles still!

 

Posted: December 17, 2007, 8:29 am
by: Gravy

Hello folks, I went to Cathedral peak yesterday. The trail up from the bottom was in nice condition. Expect a few tricky turns in the trail and a real steep climb most of the way. It's worth it by all means. Enjoy!!

PS Hope to hike with you again sometime soon Dan, it was fun. Thanks!

 

Posted: August 25, 2007, 7:03 am
by: Jeff

The trail down from La Cumbre is well-cut and marked (I did a bit of extra clipping yesterday.) There is a short section with larger deadfall that you will need to almost crawl under a little ways below the summit, however. Also, the ash is pretty thick and gets stirred up easily, so bring a bandana or something to cover your mouth---your lungs will thank you.

 

Posted: June 4, 2007, 12:49 pm
by: aeon

Started June off right by doing this hike for the first time in 12 years... Trail was as good as can be expected. I didn't see the logbook, but, I suppose I didn't look all that hard either. Last time I did this hike the "logbook" was a couple pieces of paper inside a glass jar someone left at the top...

---

 

Posted: April 7, 2007, 6:14 pm
by: Jeff

Excellent conditions, trail is clear (except for the spider webs for the first hikers of the day).

And a follow-up on children doing the hike: my 5-year-old loved it.

 

Posted: February 26, 2007, 8:54 am
by: Jeff

Yes, the first peak is Arlington Peak. (You can go down to the Historical Society and look it up.)

Second, follow the path of least resistance (and all the other footprints) and you shouldn't get lost. If you're worried, take along a stick of chalk and make a few Xs here and there, or stack a few rocks (preferably). Once you sit on the Arlington summit block, you'll never go to Inspiration Point again....

Third, kids with stamina are definitely encouraged to come along. My daughter had a blast all the way to Cathedral, the cave and down (at 7 years old). She has since made many other trips. And I'll let you know how much my 5-year-old enjoys it this spring...

Fourth, the ammo box register is on Cathedral, not Arlington. (You'll be searching a long time if you're not on the right peak.) There is a newer log book with room to write now.

Currently the trail is in typical condition. Not much brush encroaches on the path along the "Dragon's Back" and the short climb from 7 Falls trail is in the early stages of brushing out (bring some hand clippers and we'll all be thankful).

 

Posted: December 3, 2006, 10:47 pm
by: Brian_

Definitely bring a couple water bottles and expect it to be hot as hell but other that its looking good. Just go with someone whos done it before and you wont get lost.

 

Posted: August 29, 2006, 8:40 pm
by: Ralph Turchiano

Did the hike last Tuesday. It was about 90 degrees that day. We had an objective of completing the hike, round trip under 3 1/2 hours. I exhausted all 2 liters of water that day, about a mile from the bottom on the way down.

This trail is not well maintained, and it is not a continuous trail. It is highly fragmented, and it is easy to get lost (up and down). Of all trails I have hiked, this by far is the easiest to get injured on.

It is a very rewarding hike. At this stage of trail maintenance though, be prepared for a few cuts and bruises.

Definitely don't bring any children.

Ralph Turchiano
Vitamin and Herb Stores

 

Posted: July 18, 2006, 2:24 pm
by: geostrykyr

Made the trek to Cathedral Peak 7/15/2006. The trail was in decent condition. There was a fallen tree that needs to be sawed; in the mean time it is easy enough to climb over. It seems like it may have been a while since anyone had taken the trail from Anderson to Cathedral; there were old spider webs that I got caught up in. I imagine the heat is a good deterrent and many people think they are at Cathedral peak once they get to the type of the ridge.

We hit the trail at 3PM even though there was a fire danger warning at the trail head. The 80 degree heat combined with wind probably warranted the danger, though I rather enjoyed the wind. The heat broke by 6PM and we enjoyed the pleasant weather for the hike down. The nice thing about starting for Cathedral in the afternoon is that nearly the entire trail was in the shadows while climbing the steep ridge that I've heard called the "Dragon's Back" or "Anderson Ridge". As for vernacular, I've also heard Cathedral Peak lovingly referred to as "Monkey's Tooth" and the cave below "Monkey's Butt". If you look at the peak from the Tunnel Trail, it does resemble a monkey's tooth.

The register is alive and well at the top of Monkey's Tooth in a nice ammo box. I noticed some references to "Arlington Ridge" and "Arlington Peak"; is the same as Anderson Peak? Anyone know?

Happy hiking!

 

Posted: May 29, 2006, 10:34 am
by: mountaingoat

I have noticed, as did someone else that the register box (green amonition box) is missing. This register has been hidden at the Catheral "dome" summit, beneath a large rock forming the summit. If this box is still missing, I will provide a 2" diam X 12" long PVC pipe which will be capped on the ends. This will be placed where the old box was typically kept.

In the past, a temporary register was kept in a boulder at the top of the first summit you reach from the ridge/Mission Canyon side. This is not Cathedral Peak, but what has been called Anderson Peak.

I climb the ridge frequently since it is part of my backyard. Anyone who has not made it to the top, or who is interested in hiking to La Cumbre Peak via the Cathedral Ridge, let me know and we can meet for an early or late day run to the top.
Mike

 

Posted: May 7, 2006, 2:50 pm
by: Brian_

Where is the registry? Is it on the first peak, or on top of the actual summit or what? I looked all over but couldn't find it.

 

Posted: March 6, 2006, 12:04 pm
by: Anonymous

Quote:

This trail is much worse than I remember it from several hikes in the past. Perhaps it was partly washed out in last spring's rains. It is badly overgrown, slippery underfoot with dead leaves, has lots of low branches over the trail, is hard to follow, etc. It was always a difficult trail, but it is worse now. We took it returning from Cathedral Peak, but we wish we had just returned down the Dragon's Back. Just a warning--it's doable, but not much fun!

Surely this refers to the connector down the south-west side from Arlington summit to the Jesusita trail. It's pretty tough going right now and not a preferred alternative to the standard "Dragon's Back"

 

Posted: February 12, 2006, 9:34 pm
by: Anonymous

This trail is much worse than I remember it from several hikes in the past. Perhaps it was partly washed out in last spring's rains. It is badly overgrown, slippery underfoot with dead leaves, has lots of low branches over the trail, is hard to follow, etc. It was always a difficult trail, but it is worse now. We took it returning from Cathedral Peak, but we wish we had just returned down the Dragon's Back. Just a warning--it's doable, but not much fun!

 

Posted: January 28, 2006, 4:40 pm
by: Von

I replaced the old registry with a new 70 page one. Perhaps it will fill up by April? One never knows...

It was a nice day today. Cool at the Peak (9:20am), after beginning the descent from La Cumbre (10:40am) it did warm up a bit.

I find most of the people I meet quite friendly.
Thanks people!

Enjoy your hike and the rest of your day!

 

Posted: January 7, 2006, 1:19 pm
by: Anonymous

Thank you Reyes for protecting the registry. I did the Cathedral peak and ther La Cumbre peak. It will be awhile before I do that again. It is a drive from the valley. I parked at 8:00a and was back at the car by 11:45a. A lot of people are using the Tunnel Trail and a few other joggers. Great-though a bit windy in places-day!

I think the log book may be full by February. God Bless you all! -V

 

Posted: January 5, 2006, 9:09 pm
by: Anonymous

I wanted to go on this trail again so I checked this site for a 'refresher' trail guide. Today was probably the most beautiful in a few weeks. Started at 6:00am from my car and hiked all of the way up. Took me 2 hours. Found the pink plastic tape and the log book. There are actually 5 more entries since 12/30. Put a new zip lock bag and pen up there. I can't believe that so many people find the trail because it's not super easy to find and I think its the hardest trail in the area. Next time I'll try to beat 2 hours and go for 1.5, or a total of 3 round trip.
rick
the worst personal trainer
sb

 

Posted: December 30, 2005, 2:27 pm
by: Anonymous

I placed a small spiral notepad at the top (blue in plastic). Could someone place this in a can or bring another plastic bag to preserve it? I don't think it will last too long as it is- a couple months or so. It is supposed to rain tonight and the next few days. Hopefully it will survive the beating. It is in a hole on the big rock just after the pink flag.
Happy New Year from Sherman Oaks- V (Von Whitsett)
javascript:emoticon('')

 

Posted: November 29, 2005, 3:19 pm
by: Anonymous

Went to the top. The trail is hard to follow as you climb a few boulders and discover the path took an other direction. Left Sherman oaks at 5:30a and arrived at the top around 11:30a.V

 

Posted: June 19, 2005, 9:47 pm
by: Anonymous

sorry didn't bring a new logbook for the ammo can. Saw a nice northern flicker and an oriole and a first for this 40 year old SB native who has climbed this trail many times in the last 25 years. I saw a mountian kingsnake, that's the kind that is red and black and yellow, truly a beautiful snake.not rare but uncommon to see asthey are shy snakes.
Anyhoo the weather was clear,slightly hazy and very nice.
trail very clear ,evidence of recent trail work, thanks somebody.
-patrick

 

Posted: April 4, 2005, 5:48 pm
by: Jeff

The trail is clear (the chamise hasn't had a chance to choke the way from Arlington to Cathedral yet). Though as of April 2, the ammo can needs a new log book if anyone is planning on heading up there soon.

 

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:13 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.