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Hiking the PCT in Vasquez Rocks

November 1, 2013 By Jeff H 6 Comments

Hiking at the famous Vasquez Rocks

The famous Vasquez Rocks will be familiar to most people. They have been used as a film site for Star Trek (Captain Kirk battling the Gorn), Blazing Saddles, The Flintstones and many others. What you might not know is that the Pacific Crest Trail runs right through the park, and that there is a rich history that includes ancient Native American petroglyphs.

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Trail Details
Distance: 5.65 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 650 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round
We tackled this park on a beautiful October morning with three goals: hike on the PCT; explore the iconic Vasquez Rocks; and visit the petroglyphs. This 5.65 mile lollipop loop filled the bill.

Getting to Vasquez Rocks Park

It took less than an hour to get their from LA, driving north on the 5 and east on the 14. The address of the park is: 10700 West Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce, CA 91350. There is a beautiful visitor center with maps and a fantastic relief map of the area. Stop in and they can tell you everything you want to know about the area.

Vasquez Rocks Visitor Center

Relief map of Vasquez Rocks

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail at Vasquez Rocks

I parked at the middle lot, halfway between the visitor center and the famous Vasquez Rocks. We started by hiking on the PCT to the visitor center, where we picked up some tips and oriented ourselves. From here, we backtracked down the PCT, this time following it down the back side of the rocks.

The Pacific Crest Trail

There is a small climb to the top of a hill. Stop here and check out the views.

Vasquez Rocks Park

Behind Vasquez Rocks

Once you descend to the lower parking lot (basically a large, open flat area), look for the pepper tree. You’ll turn left (east) here and head down a dirt road to stay on the PCT.

The Pepper Tree

At 1.25 miles, the trail veers right (south) and follows a slight ridge where we enjoyed panoramic views in all directions.

Vasquez Rocks panorama

As you hike, watch for the concrete-reinforced zip-line tower on your left. As the story goes, there used be a hermit that lived across that gulch. He built a zip-line to ferry supplies back and forth. How, I don’t know, as both the zip line and the hermit are long gone.

Old zip-line support

At 1.75 miles you reach the end of the fire road. There’s a sign marking the boundary of the 2007 wildfire that burned much of the surrounding hillside. Follow the signs for the PCT as it descends into the canyon on a wide single track trail.

On the PCT in Vasquez Rocks Park

At the bottom, you’ll turn left and follow the Pacific Crest Trail signs into a fairly narrow canyon. There is a seasonal creek that runs through here, although it was bone dry in October. In spring, water crossings add to the adventure.

Canyon walls

In the canyon, take time to notice your surroundings. You’ll see holes in the canyon walls with bird markings. There are owls that nest in there, and if you’re lucky you might spy one or two.

At one point in the canyon we stopped to watch some birds circling overhead. We could actually hear the wind in their wings with each flap and swoop. I’ve never really heard a bird fly before, and it was pretty special.

We continued through the canyon until about the 2.7 mile mark, with Highway 14 looming above us. There is a fork in the trail. Bear right, heading towards the highway, and you’ll soon see the tunnel. This is a tall, unlit tunnel. We didn’t need flashlights, but be aware that it is also used by horses and wildlife; you may want to avoid the center of the tunnel or you might step into something you’d rather not.

On the PCT and in the tunnel under Hwy 14

The tunnel leads under Highway 14. We stopped here and took a few photos, then turned around to head back to the Vasquez Rocks. We simply retraced our steps to the lower parking area, then veered straight toward the iconic Vasquez Rocks. I was interested in scrambling to the top, but not sure how easy or hard it would be.

Vasquez Rocks

There is a ridge that is fairly easy to follow that takes you within about 30 feet of the summit. From here, it was pretty easy scrambling up on my hands and feet. I was grateful to be wearing my Keen trail shoes. At the top, there are several places where you can sit and soak in the views.

View from the top of Vasquez Rocks

Going back down was a little more “thrilling.” I crab-walked down the that steep section back to the groove, after which is was an easy scramble back down to the bottom.

From here, we circled around the south side of the rocks and headed west on the History Trail. Note that there are many unofficial trails criss-crossing this area and it’s easy to get off track. Look for the trail signs and follow them to the Tatavium petroglyph site. Here you’ll see some great Native American petroglyphs left by the Tatavium tribe.

Indian pictograph at Vasquez Rocks

We circled back to the Visitor Center to thank the staff for their tips, and hiked one last time on the PCT back to the middle parking lot and our Xterra.

Total milage: 5.65 miles. And all smiles. 

Vasquez Rocks Trail Map

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: Vasquez-Rocks-PCT-Hike.gpx

Vasquez Rocks Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Vasquez Rocks Visitor Center
The Pacific Crest Trail
The famous Vasquez Rocks
PCT trail marker
These rocks tilt at 50 degrees due to seismic activity
On the PCT at Vasquez Rocks
IMG_1467
Behind Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks panorama
The creek that runs through
On the PCT
Vasquez Rocks Park
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
Canyon walls
PCT
Vasquez Rocks panorama
Ridgeline fire road
Old zip-line support
Cairn on the PCT
Pacific Crest Trail sign
Perimeter of the 2007 Fire
On the PCT in Vasquez Rocks Park
One the PCT in the lower canyon
The lower canyon on the PCT
Wild Rose in the canyon
Wild rose bush thorns
Pacific Crest Trail through the lower canyon
Tunnel under Hwy 14
On the PCT and in the tunnel under Hwy 14
This structure keeps large debris out of the tunnel
Faded PCT trail marker at the entrance to the tunnel under Hwy 14
Vasquez Rocks Park boundary
Wildflowers in the canyon
Yellow wildflowers
Bee closeup
Hiking at the famous Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks
View from the top of Vasquez Rocks
Looking down at from the top of Vasquez Rocks
Yoda atop Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks
Sign for the Tatavium pictographs
Pictographs at Vasquez Rocks
Indian pictograph at Vasquez Rocks
Native American pictograph
Native American pictograph
Jeff and Joan at Vasquez Rocks
One of the many movies filmed here at Vasquez Rocks
One of the many movies filmed at Vasquez Rocks

Vasquez Rocks Tips

  • You can visit this park year round, but it can get very hot. Check the weather forecast, bring sun protection and plenty of water, and plan your hikes to avoid the mid-day extremes.
  • Vasquez Rocks Park is closed after rains for two days or more (check with the visitor center).
  • Parking and entrance is free. The park is open sunrise to sunset.

More Vasquez Rocks Resources

  • Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park – official website
  • Hiking Vasquez Rocks – Modern Hiker
  • More on Vasquez Rocks in movies and television, as well as the geology and history – Wikipedia
  • The True Hollywood Story of Vasquez Rocks, Hollywood’s Favorite Rocky Set
  • Bandido: The Life and Times of Tiburcio Vasquez – A history of the park’s namesake bandit
  • Day and Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California – Wilderness Press
  • Aprés-hike libations? We stopped at the Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewery in Valencia

Vasquez Rocks Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Related

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: LA County, PCT, Vasquez Rocks

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. The Frugal Hiker (@TheFrugalHiker) says

    November 6, 2013 at 10:04 am

    I love Vasquez Rocks! This place is a little sentimental to me as it was the first place I took my daughter hiking with me when she was about 6 and she always asks me to go back. She loved it there. Great pics and great trip write up.

    Brett
    http://www.thefrugalhiker.com

    Reply
    • Jeff HJeff Hester says

      November 9, 2013 at 2:57 pm

      Thanks, Brett! Vasquez Rocks would be a great place to introduce kids to the outdoors. There’s lots of rocks to climb on, the Native American petroglyphs and fascinating geology. And you can hike as much or as little as they are comfortable with.

      Reply
  2. Jelena Woehr (@jelenawoehr) says

    March 26, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Hi there! Do you know of any good resources for trail maps of Vasquez rocks? I’m training a horse for long-distance riding and am looking for some longer loops in the park – I’ve only so far been able to do 5-6 miles at a time, like your hike here.

    Reply
    • Jeff HJeff Hester says

      April 1, 2015 at 5:54 am

      Hi Jelena! Just got back from scouting trails in Big Sur. For more maps of Vasquez Rocks I would start at the Visitor Center (there’s a link in the blog post under Additional Resources).

      Reply
  3. Kathie Coulson says

    July 17, 2015 at 9:22 am

    Great info on one of my favorite day hike spots! I take my grandkids here frequently. They absolutely love scrambling around on the rocks, then we picnic under the pepper tree. The visitor center is great. The kids love the live snakes, tarantula, etc. (behind glass, of course). The PCT trail to the tunnel is a really enjoyable and vigorous workout. Thanks for creating this site. Terrific info. Cheers!

    Reply
  4. Kim Garfalo says

    June 20, 2016 at 10:51 am

    Can you still get to the petroglyphs? I thought I heard they were closed to the public.

    Reply

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