West Ridge to Car Wreck Trail and Mathis Canyon Loop

shannon bullard

West Ridge to Car Wreck Trail and Mathis Canyon Loop

01/29/18

This was a great hike. Lots of great trails and scenic... downside is the blazing sun you can’t get away from. Absolutely no shade. Other than that was a fun hike.

5.0

Anna McArthur

West Ridge to Car Wreck Trail and Mathis Canyon Loop

09/29/16

I did this as a hike on a Saturday afternoon with blazing sunshine and 90* weather. I'm a Minnesota girl, so I am not accustomed to the nonstop sun (I'm not complaining about it, I just hadn't taken it into consideration). After taking in the scenic views of the ocean to the west and canyons to the east, I decided to go for it and hike down to the Car Wreck. I had asked someone along the start of the trail if I was on the right track to link up with the Car Wreck. He said "are you sure?" And I should have taken that as a sign haha! The trail definitely increases in technical difficulty as soon as you pass the marker. It's quite steep and I was regretting my decision every step after the first .25 miles in. Shortly before I reached the car, I was mentally preparing for the trip back up (and hating myself) when I ran into another hiker who was resting in the shade. She told me there was an easier way back to the top if I just continued on to Mathis Canyon. Mathis is an intermediate trail. It was still a brutal uphill trek, but I'm sure it was much easier than taking the car wreck trail back up! I thought I was going to pass out and was playing out rescue scenarios in my head during the last leg of my ascent to the Mathis Canyon/Car Wreck trailhead. After a 20 minute rest at the head, I completed the journey back to Top of the World and was then able to get back down to Laguna for a walk along the beach with cool water to soothe my aching dogs, and the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen! (From the Bird Rock area). I would like to thank those who checked on me while I was trying not to die at the top of Mathis Canyon Trail! Bottom line is: if an overweight, slightly out of shape, (intermediate)beginner can hike this and survive - so can you! Prepare yourself if you're going out and back; you start at the top and you must get back to the top!

4.0