I do not know what it is like now. I know that in the 80s I loved it. It was nature. Boy Scouts could be out there camping. Families. Singles. It was great. It was safe and it truly was some the best times of my life. I did climbing there I did hiking I kicked back And loved it every bit of it. It was a great break from the city. Life LA is gorgeous. If you ever want a little break from gorgeous this place is spectacular. read more

Circle X Ranch - This is a picture of circle X part in the 80s from about 1986 to about 1990. - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

Circle X Ranch, Grotto Trailhead amazing place for hiking..waterfalls, fresh air, safe environment. read more

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We drove down to the area from the Inland Empire so it took over 1:40 to get here and my intention was to go to the Sandstone peak trail which I had seen from other reviews had spectacular views. I misread the map and turned late into the parking lot for the Circle X Ranch thinking the path directly connected to Sandstone's peak, but it didn't. Always pay attention to the maps and directions. There is a public restroom in the Circle X Ranch lot(there was a small amount of parking on dirt, but the lot was pretty empty on a Saturday afternoon). We followed what ended up being a 4.5-mile trail with some decent inclines and downhill paths, so I'd consider it a moderate level hike. There are some great views of forestry and mountains, and there is a grotto at the end of the trail. I was expecting some big waterfall, but it ended up being underwhelming for the long hike. It was very peaceful and the weather was great, but just not a trail I'd go out of the way to get to again. read more

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I absolutely love this place! You have 3 trails to choose from and the upkeep of the surrounding area is wonderful !! the paths are easy to find and walk. While your in the sun most of the time there is plenty of shaded areas to take advantage of and the breeze you get is amazing. There is no WIFI here so take full advantage of disconnecting from civilization for awhile and take in the beautiful scenery around you. You will find 3 waterfalls and walk across creeks and hear running water and birds chirping and butterflies flying around the area. The Grotto trail is an easy down hill walk however the walk back is a little challenging since it is all uphill. You won't be disappointed with this place. read more

Love this amazing trail. It leads to multiple hikes all in the mountains. We are so blessed to live in Westlake Village where these trails are in our back yard. We did Circle x to Sandstone and it was an incredible journey. My husband and I felt so accomplished after hiking 6 miles and climbing 3,000 feet in elevation. We were also able to sign the composition book once we were at the top!! read more

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This is a very good moderate hike. Wouldn't recommend for beginners unless you like challenges. I thought this hike was a good challenge for me. On the way back to the car, I wanted to give up a few times. Total time for our hike took about 2 hours total. We arrived at 10:15 and finished at about 12:30pm. I would recommend for you to come early since the parking lot is small. When we got there, there Were still some spots left. Be careful if you're heading to the grotto, there's lots of rock climbing. But trust me, it's worth it. Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes that you can rock climb with. If you are using the GPS here, keep driving until you see the Circle X Ranch sign, if you don't see it, just keep driving. It'll be on your right. Note: Bring bug spray!!! I regretted not bringing any. There are these HUGE fat ugly flies that bite you. I'm telling you, they are fat, not scared of people! I really hated them on the way back. Actually hate insects in general... I also heard some rattle snakes on the way back at where the high dead grass area. Try to stay on the trail and be careful with your dogs. We went on 6/21/14 and The Grotto didn't have much of a waterfall. There was still some water but since we're in a water drought, if you want to see more water, come after a rain season. To me, it was fine, it's not like I'm going to swim in it. Overall I would say the hike had 70% shade. The 30% would be killer if you don't bring plenty of water, sunblock and I would recommend a hat, mostly in the summer. The view is very mice throughout the hike. I really enjoyed it for the most part. The hike back to the car almost killed me. My dog name Taco barely made it. We had to pour some water on his belly since he was getting very tired, he almost gave up and we had to carry him some of the way back. But then again, he has very short legs since he's a dachshund mix at about 25 pounds. Again, bring plenty of water! I would recommend AT LEAST 2 bottles a person. Stay hydrated everyone! Make sure you bring extra water for your dogs too & give them plenty of breaks in the shade. The ground gets very hot during the summertime. Last of all, HAVE FUN!!! read more

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Drive through the long, winding canyon roads of the Santa Monica mountains and you'll eventually come across Circle X Ranch. The drive alone provides you views of the stretching valleys and the ocean in the distance. It makes you feel far away from the urban landscape of Los Angeles. Circle X Ranch has a dirt parking lot right at the entrance. Make your way down the dirt path to find the The Grotto trail. The trail is 1.3 miles and it takes less than an hour to get to the grotto. The path to the grotto isn't really much of a challenge, but it is fun. It just goes downwards until you finally hit the grotto. The beauty of this trail is being surrounded on all sides by the towering peaks of the mountains, coming across streams that turn into waterfalls, looking over cliffs to get views of the canyon, and climbing up and down to explore the boulders surrounding the grotto. The path will eventually just start following the stream. You'll know you've hit the grotto when stream goes through these huge boulders. I spent a good amount of time hopping between boulders and climbing them. Watch your step because you could fall down into the shallow pools of the grotto. There are actually two grottos: One is at the bottom of the boulder path and I'll leave the other one as a surprise to find. Once you find them, the grottos become a good place to just relax and take everything in. read more

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My boyfriend and I decided to hike this trail this past weekend it was absolutely Gorgeous! We met with a Ranger at the Circle X Ranch to start our hike and he was very helpful and even provided us with maps and some tips on avoiding snakes. We began the trail through the whisper of dry shrubbery on both sides of us. It was certainly an extremely dry summer and no Campfires are allowed anywhere at this time of year. It was so quiet that you could seriously hear them whispering. Truly lovely! As we kept on going through, the trail became quite narrow as it trailed around a mountain. There are some beautiful cliffs that you can stop and take photos at and some beautiful trees along the trail as well. The terrain is extremely rocky, so wear comfortable shoes that can grip. We noticed lots of Spider Webs along the trail and snake holes so be careful where you Step and place your hands. My boyfriend slipped at one point and nearly place his hands over a Web with a Spiral web down at the bottom. They are pretty huge and quite scary. The fun began when we finally reach the Grotto. There is even a spot where you can rope climb down into the grotto. Bring your own rope! What an exciting rock climbing adventure! We must have spent over an hour just climbing the rocks and enjoying views of larger mountains and the rocky terrain around us. I love this hike! I can't wait to go back. We could have spent our whole day hiking these trail. Warning: The hike back is an uphill climb and can be quite difficult in the heat. Make sure you take lots of water! I kept telling myself that If I didn't keep going, a snake was going to come out and bite me! That helped! I made it to my car and passed out in my trunk. YES, I was that tired! Great hike but if you are not used to the uphill climbs, it can be challenging! Remember, every time you notice you are going downhill at steep inclines, you must know that at some point, you will have to go back up! Love this Hike! read more

Circle X Ranch - On an enormous boulder at the Grotto - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

Absolutely GORGEOUS! I came here with my husband to do the grotto trail hike, and it was so scenic and so lovely and so amazing. The ~3 mile round trip hike was fairly easy, but become more difficult with some bouldering/scrambling near the end by the grotto (the trail ends before you reach it and you have to forge your own path). This hike is best right after a good rain or when there is still water in the creek, because otherwise the grotto can dry up, which is less than exciting. If you want to avoid the crowds, come early! This trail is extremely popular; as we were leaving a group of about 25 obnoxious pre-teens were making their way to the grotto. You have been warned! I highly recommend this area; there are various hiking trails all around. There is a campground right next to the grotto trail head, but it looked extremely lackluster. We came just for a day hike, as should you! read more

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This was the first hike my sisters and I went on. Let me just tell you, it was worth it. When you get up to Circle X Ranch, the park rangers are very helpful and super nice. One advice I'd give is to bring 2-4 water bottles to stay hydrated. The trail was both shady and sunny. There is a great breeze when you just stop and listen to nature. Lots of lizards down this trail. Its 3 miles roundtrip. We got there around 12 and finished at almost 3. Come on the weekdays because its empty!! Will definitely be back. read more

My son, and two married friends took this hike. It is a very nice little hike, with very relaxing views and a cool groto to hang out around. We hiked in a bottle of red wine and each had a cup while sitting around the groto and allowing my son to explore. I recommend this as a challenge to your young ones. You need at least 1 adult to every two kids, and you need to maintain full control once you get down around where the stream is flowing under the boulders. There are areas where a child could slip down between the rocks and fall pretty far into shallow pools and rocky crevices. I highly recommend this park for camping, hiking, and relaxation. Its a short drive from Camarillo and is a great physical activity for young ones. read more

Circle X Ranch - This is the entrance where you park to hike. - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

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This is a really easy hike to find. Other the other side of Malibu just entering Ventura and with large signs. The only part that was confusing is the paying for parking or not. We did not pay. Lol. The hike is just over 2.5 miles and most of it covered from the sun. It is also not very steep of difficult. The semi hard part comes at the end when getting over and around large rocks. Luckily it rained a few weeks ago and the steam and waterfall was still going. read more

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As you drive here it's in the middle of the mountains with not much around. A great escape from the city. The road to the ranch as others have noted is narrow and twisty. There's a small campground with restrooms, picnic areas and BBQ grills. Will definitely come back to go camping or to do a nice afternoon BBQ. Nice woodsy up and down hike with some great views of the valley. Since it's so far away, there aren't many people on the trail. We went on Sunday morning and hiked the Grotto trail and there wasn't anyone on the trail with us. Some parts of the trail are steep, rocky, and narrow. We didn't walk down the boulders to the grotto, but the trail was definitely harder going back uphill. The trail is clearly marked at junction points and there are maps for free at the ranger station. Parking was free on Sunday. Don't know if there is a fee on other days. read more

This review is specifically for the Grotto hike. The drive is worth the trail. Plenty of water on the trail since it just rained. Suggestion for fun: wear shorts and a whole outfit that dries real quickly. Keep hiking until the boulders gets really big. Explore around everything. The fun part was finding a waterfall and being able to take your shoes off and go around behind the falls. Be carefull of the rocks, it can get slippery if you have been on water. I took a few knocks and bumps but its doable. This hike is short but lots of fun and will works the upperbody if you boulder hop. Gook luck. read more

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This is a pretty easy to moderate 6 miles hike (round trip) . On a clear day you get a beautiful view of green Malibu mountains during hike. At the end of your trail you reach the Grotto. Here there are lots of cool rock climbings to do. Explore and spend time relaxing on the rocks, having a snack break. However, so sad no waterfalls this year because of the little or no rain we got this year in LA. There are some little ponds here and there in Grotto but no major waterfall as it should be. Still, it was fun to explore the Grotto. read more

Circle X Ranch - Grotto Trail hike, cool trees - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

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This was an extremely beautiful hike. It is a pretty easy trail but bring water because it gets pretty warm (especially in the summer!) I have not been in the winter or after a rain so unfortunately The Grotto was completely dry. :( However if you hikes but further (slightly off the trail) you can find a natural spring with water coming from in. I was lucky to see a fee different animals in the water including salamanders, a water snake (not poisonous) and various water bugs. It is beautiful and I would definitely recommend it for a relatively easy hike. Last little side note... The trail is mostly downhill on the way there and therefore uphill on the way back. Be prepared! :! If you have not tried these yet, I also recommend Escondito Falls and Corral Canyon (go off trail to get the full experience! ;) ) read more

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Gorgeous trail, pretty strenuous, and you'll be met with some fun water caves at the end of the trail... :) There are some great pastures for you to walk through, and it's just a picture perfect place (even for engagement photos) to hike and take photos. It does seem "remote" when you first arrive, but there are always a couple of people on the trail, so don't be afraid! :) read more

Their is a lot of small fun rock climbing and an amazing site, but an angry old white guy who yelled at us, who I think works there because he was moving cones. He got mad because we were speeding up a steep hill and told us to slow down. it's a steep hill nim rod you need speed or you lose traction. read more

This was such a beautiful and super fun trail. Once you make it down PCH and turn right onto Yerba Buena Road you keep going until you see the big sign saying Circle X Ranch and park by the ranger station. They are fully stocked with trail maps to take with you and there is also one well maintained bathroom available. A small parking lot is available as well as a camping area. Then you follow the signs to the Grotto Trail which are very clearly marked. This was my first time going and we had no problem following the trail all the way down until you hit the rocks and streams. Lots o' fun, if you love to boulder and it is moderately difficult but if you're in decent shape it's no big deal. Lots of great photo ops throughout the trail. Dogs are allowed. Here's the address posted on the National Park Service website: 12896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu, CA, 90265 Pacific Coast Highway to Yerba Buena Road. Turn inland; go 5.4 miles to Circle X Ranch contact station. Enjoy! read more

Reverse adventurous hike. You initially drive all the way to the top of the mountain and hike down to a cave. Then you hike back up to your car. The cons are that when you're coming back up you're already tired. The pros are that you have no other choice but to keep hiking up. It's not too hard of a hike but you do have to jump over and climb some big rocks so you have to be a little more flexible than on an average hike. It can also get a little confusing with the rocks as there's no set visible trail. The cave is really pretty, a little smelly but overall good. And you might have to walk through a swarm of bees at a point. They don't sting unless you bug them. The long drive up to the trailhead is another adventure. It's such a pretty sight, especially on a slightly cloudy day. Since you're so high up, chances are you will be above clouds. It's a lot of small twisted roads so I wouldn't want to a backseat passenger on that drive but if you're the driver or front passenger you're going to fall in love with the view. read more

Circle X Ranch - Above the clouds. On the drive there - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

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This is a challenging hike. So when you get here you're going to laugh at me and think I"m a joke because It starts off easy- all down hill and you got lots of shade on it too and there are some rocky parts so do bring the hiking shoes to avoid turning an ankle. Once you reach the Grotto 1.3 miles in- it is dried out right now and there is just a stream of water in it so you get the best work out by climbing the rocks at the end. Damn that was an adrenaline rush for me because it's these big boulders with drops to broken limbs most likely. It's once you get passed the climbing like a ninja across these boulders to get to the bottom of those rocks that you find a cave! Yes a CAVE/The Grotto with water and at this time of the year a stream is coming out of it. Before you go all the way down you can climb half way down the rocks in the middle and find the cave best place to see how big it is inside. I was all by myself at the Boulder part and I went in for the photographs but I was very afraid. It's the cold breeze that creeps up your spine when your in it all alone and it's dark in there as the sun was heading down the mountain side. So if there was an animal in there I have no idea but I didn't go in further for that reason. I think during the winter season there is a heavy water flow through here and you most likely can't get passed the big rocks without them being slick. So go now for some rock climbing its soooooo much fun. The campground itself is closed, not sure why but it is and it's not heavy in traffic at all - loved that! The way back to the car is where you climb and it's a great leg work out. Unfortunately my cave pics came out crapy and you will have to go see for yourself. ;P Getting here was a pain the butt. Here's what to look out for..... 1.) Don't follow yelps maps directions I ended up in a residential neighborhood far away. 2.) You will lose signal in here-your GPS will tell you that you have arrived at your destination when you actually end up at someone's house, ignore and keep going. 3.) You will pass two ranch's before hitting this ranch. 4.) Come after a rainfall if you want to see the waterfall, but if you want to do the rock climbing to the cave go now it's just a stream right now and you can go in there...it's dark in there. Climb in between the rocks at half way point through the boulders to get best view of it. Once at the bottom you can get to it too but the climb to the bottom and back up is tough and you can really hurt yourself. With no phone service in the area too...is something to think about. OH and big plus- you can get to Mishe Mokwa Trail from here. Take the turn off at Canyon trail split and you can go to the peak. :) read more

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Was planning to go to Malibu for a day trip. I found that there were also decent hiking locations in Malibu. We decided to do the Grotto hike since it wasn't too long and seemed to have a "purpose." Once you pass Neptune's Net if you're coming from the east, you'll make a right onto Yerba Buena Road. Keep driving for about 15 minutes until you see the Circle X Ranch entrance.The drive to Circle X Ranch can be kind of scary depending on the traffic. Surprisingly people live on the road to Circle X Ranch; if anything happened to them it would take forever for anyone to rescue them. When we got Circle X Ranch, we kind of felt like we were in a movie and someone was going to come get us since there weren't any other cars there. Nonetheless we didn't feel like it was haunted since no one has reported that. After you pass the campgrounds and the restrooms (which are pretty clean for nature grounds), you'll see a sign for the Grotto Trail. The Trail is about 1.3 miles and is mainly slight downhill and some actual rock climbing. When you begin to see a LOT of big boulders and hear water sounds then you've almost reached the Grotto. After climbing down the boulders strategically you'll begin to see the Grotto. The Grotto itself isn't super spectacular as some photos may show. However, it is nice to see a natural attraction. The water doesn't look super sanitary but some people have dipped into the cold water and didn't get sick. Also on a hot day it's just nice to cool down with some cold water. There isn't anything on the other side of the boulders. The hike back is a little more strenuous since it's mostly uphill. Overall, the hike is something to try if you're in Malibu. People drive out over an hour to hike this. It's not the most exciting ending but it's not too hard of a hike and it makes a day at the beach after worth it. read more

Visited Circle X yesterday. If you're headed north on PCH just make a right where Neptune's Nest Restaurant is and follow the road about 5.5 miles. Overall it was a great hike, I'm in semi decent shape so I would say this hike was easy to moderate as the first leg down is pretty easy with some moderate boulder traversing towards the end by the Grotto (so the way back will be more challenging). My fiancée and our 12 year old had no problems managing through the hike and loved their experience. I saw some families with children as young as 5 years old so that gives you some insight In terms of the difficulty of the hike. The Grotto wasn't too exciting as we are currently in somewhat of a drought but I heard it gets very nice post rainy days. Everyone I met during the trail was very nice and shared the trail. We did the short hike which was 3.5 miles I believe. The parking lot is hard to miss where you park and the trails are very easy to find and follow. I will definitely return soon to run the longer trails with my buddies. I recommend to anyone looking to get out of the city and play outside. Tips: - Come early to get free parking (we got there at 10am and the parking lot had 4 cars, came back and it was filled) - Look up the website to Circle X, lots of good info - Have Fun! read more

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I am so glad I went! We went in the morning on a weekday it was not packed I had phone service.I recommend the Grotto trail. Take lots of water!! read more

Free parking and multiple trails to choose from? Sold! Hit up Neptune's Net once you're done hiking for the day. read more

Circle X Ranch - At Tri Peaks - Hiking Near Me - Malibu, California

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Great hike. Once you hit the giant boulders keep goin. The Grotto is about another 10 minute hike from there. Once you see a little pond you've made it. Duck down and you might just see the cave of wonders. read more

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Love this place!!! My new favorite spot to hike near LA! The address is incorrect though, keep driving past the given address here and you see a sign and parking facility about another mile down the road on the right hand side. I strongly recommend this hike! read more

Beautiful and peaceful hike. Easy to get to at this time in June the waterfall at The Grotto is merely a trickle but still awesome. An easy walk down into the canyon on dirt road but it gets a little rocky once you get near The Grotto so make sure you have trek shoes w grip read more

I really enjoyed this hike. I prefer greenery and shade to dirt trails with the sun beaming down on you. We went on the Grotto trail. The trail can be a bit confusing, especially when you are making your way over the rocks. As far as the difficulty of this hike, I will definitely be a bit sore tomorrow but I managed just fine. Some light scrambling, I wouldn't recommend this particular hike if you have any knee problems or are unable to hop from rock to rock. I thought the trail itself was very pretty, the view was beautiful. I wish there had of been a bit more water but that comes and goes. The way down is easier than the way back up. 1.3 miles with roughly 100 feet of scrambling up and down rocks. Sunday parking was free, trail head is off the to left. Bathrooms near the parking area and also right near the trail head. The overall experience is definitely worth it. read more

Beautiful. I just wasn't expecting CLIMBING since my friends told me we were going HIKING. You just need mental preparation for that kinda stuff you know? Now that I know, I would bring gloves for the rocks. And shoes with grip would be nice. And maybe a bottle of bubbly to celebrate surviving the hike down. Then you can be semi buzzed while you start hiking back up the rocks. read more

This was such an extreme/ awesome hike. We came across the first little waterfall inside the cave, but it wasn't all that, but just seeing the cave was pretty cool. So many big rocks everywhere. It's a very good leg workout because you got to climb down and back up. The trail definitely started off easy and it got harder as we kept going. Without a doubt I'll be coming back here again. read more

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This area is beautiful and clean, but BEWARE of campground host Virginia. She is the absolute meanest person I've ever encountered and she will ruin your day, maybe your life, DEFINITELY your camping experience read more

Great hike in Malibu. Soooooo gorgeous over there!! A little bit far from LA, but you can avoid all the annoying crowds. The best thing about Malibu is clean! No trash! I HATE people who trash everywhere... It just so sad that people are not educated enough to care about nature and others. This is an awesome gateway!! The farther you go, less people and beautiful view. It's worth driving from LA! read more

My review addresses the campsite and the hiking trail. Noticed most posts were just referencing the hike. Group camp: We stayed over the weekend and the area was decent and clean. There are trees in the yelp photo of the campground that aren't there anymore which doesn't offer much shade. There's a section that had fire ants which we stayed away from. The camp is the only group camp and there's no other campers which is fun. Water faucets worked well and provided a central area to wash off supplies or hook up a portable shower near it. Don't pitch a tent near it because the water runs off in that area. Vault toilets were very clean for what it's worth and had enough toilet paper for the group camp area with 30+ people. Basketball courts are available and decent. There's also a payphone nearby if you need to call out. There aren't any cell phone access at the campground. Ample parking for 12 cars max. Downside is hikers park in the camping area when they aren't supposed to. Hikers have to park at the top of the hill. Be considerate for campers. Hiking: Not for beginners. Otherwise you may just hike half the trail. We did the entire hike to the grotto. A majority of the trail is easy. But when you get closer to the grotto, the boulders can be a challenging climb for those who don't hike, aren't flexible or have knee issues. It's worth the hike though. Suggestions: If you want to camp, go during spring, early summer, and fall. You won't miss the shade as much. Bring some shade like a pop up tent. read more

What a nice hike! It's lush and not super crowded! To get to the grotto, you have go past the rocks and stream... we didn't go far enough! It still was a great experience and I have to go back! read more

This is by far the craziest hike I've ever done! The views are breathtaking and it's totally worth it. Be prepared to climb!

A gem of a park with a superb selection of hiking trails. Used to be a Boy Scout camp years ago and also used to have a campground down the hill. Park in front of the ranger station or off the road near one of the trail heads up the road. If you hike up from the ranger station, you will be able to hike to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Great view and yes there can be insects if you pick the wrong season. If you hike down from the ranger station, you will find a trail to the grotto, a beautiful hike with some boulder hopping at the end. A couple of picnic tables by the ranger station and you can get water there. My favorite, kinda hidden park in the Santa Monica Mountains. To get there, turn on Yerba Buena Road off PCH by the roadhouse Neptune's Net. You will not be disappointed. read more

Wow. This place is stunning!! We did the usual mile and half walk to the grotto. Which is aiight cuz it didn't rain before we came making the waterfall not that great. BUT after that we ventured off the track and went rock climbing for about a mile! Nothing crazy like mission impossible stuff, but legit climbing involved. Save some juice for the walk back. Especially if you rock climbed a bit like we did. We would have went further in, but didn't wanna get lost. Definitely going back and going on another adventure! Bring snacks and a lot of Agua. read more

The grotto hike is such a great day- outing. The hike down is easy, but borders on strenuous coming back up. Experiencing the grotto is worth it. Lush greenery, multiple waterfalls (when there is water) and great giant boulders to climb around. It is widely used by people and now an Outdoor School, so don't go expecting solitude. read more

Loved this hike! The grotto is absolutely beautiful and the trail is pretty adventurous http://nkadventures.com/2014/06/24/circle-x-ranch/ read more