Trekking to Satwiwa's Hidden Valley Overlook

The Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center and Natural Area, as the name indicates, is more than an assortment of hiking trails.

Also known as Rancho Sierra Vista, so-named in 1937 by a rancher named Carl Beal, the area was home to the Chumash for centuries and the center was established in 1980 by Chumash Chief Charlie Cooke to enrich understanding and appreciation of Native Americans and the local mountains.

One way to appreciate the mountains is from the top of one their peaks, accessible by Satwiwa’s Scenic Valley Overlook Trail, which is nearly a four-mile trek with the additional half loop and offers a challenging ascent.

Beginning in the parking lot on a flat, paved road which is actually Big Sycamore Canyon Trail, the hike starts out with a quarter-mile journey to the cultural center.

Outside the center, a garden features examples of local flora including wild rose, prickly pear cactus and laurel sumac. To the side, a dome-shaped structure called an Ap, fashioned out of twisted willow branches next to a circle of wood stools, provides an apt setting for storytelling and education of surrounding nature and of the native tribes who once called these rolling hills home.

Meaning “bluffs” in Chumash, Satwiwa is located near an old trade route used for hundreds of years and it’s from here that the journey begins, with many possible destinations.

Meandering on the trails can take one all the way to the ocean in Point Mugu State Park, an ambitious journey of eight miles, one-way. Challenging but less time-consuming, the Scenic Valley Overlook Trail doesn’t provide ocean views but does offer stellar perspectives of surrounding bluffs and valleys.

Pass the garden and Ap and head toward the majestic face of the bluffs overhead to take the dirt path that is the Old Boney Mountain Trail.

The trek begins in the open grasslands. The flat expanse is home to an abundance of wildlife like rabbits and occasionally their predators, the coyote, while small groves of trees house many species of birds. A thicket of trees ahead actually conceals a large pond, which depending on the light of the sun can be set afire with reflections of gold and crimson, an unexpected outpost of beauty hidden in the gentle rolling land.

A short distance ahead is a canyon with green-swathed mountains beyond, and one can either go left or right. Going right leads one along the prickly pear cactus-lined cliff to the paved trail that goes all the way Point Mugu. Head left for the Scenic Valley Overlook Trail and enjoys the view of deep canyon gorge accented by prickly pear fruits.

Twisting around the earthen folds, the trail here becomes slightly more challenging but is no indicator of the strenuous climb that lies ahead. Studded with the occasional yucca plant and littered with coyotes bush, oaks, and even a pine tree, the topography is definitely Chaparral but slightly changes as it ascends. The golden fields falling behind with every footstep contrast with the vivid green bluffs of the surrounding ridge tops.  

Eventually, one will come to a fork in the dusty road. Going right will take one down a steep hill toward a ranch. Stick to the left to begin a steep ascent up to the sky.

The higher the trail goes, the steeper and narrower it becomes. Watch out for the sharp edges of Yucca leaves on the ascent. One portion has given way to crumbling dirt and rocks, and the trail might seem to be lost. Fear not and continue past the seemingly treacherous portion; the way back, while a bit hairy, isn’t as dangerous as the precarious footing leads one to believe.

The trail resumes after this and tapers to a skinny footpath, which winds up to the peak. Not yet to the top, the view opens up wide and to the left one can see the hills that hide the way to the ocean.

Once at the top, enjoy a full 360 degree view of the surrounding valleys. The ranch at the bottom of the hill is in sight, as well as the mountains unfolding endlessly into the distance. A great place to watch the sun set or recharge with a snack, enjoy a sense of accomplishment and refreshing winds from the ocean that carry misty moisture below and pleasant fresh aromas all the way up to the pinnacle.

Stay on the trail to explore the mountaintop a little further or follow it back down to return. On the way back, don’t forget to pay attention to the signs. After passing the windmill, go left to make it a shorter trip, which takes through a lush woodland canopy and back toward the cultural center.

Trail Quick Facts:

• Usage: hikers, horses, cyclists and dogs OK on leash
• Distance:  3.5  to 4 miles
• Elevation gain: around 700 feet
• Terrain: chaparral, woodland
• Trail: narrow to wide
• Nearby:  Newbury Park