Fox Canyon Trail

• Length: 2.8 miles
• Terrain: hard packed dirt trail with a steady incline; moderate difficulty
• Payoff: beautiful views of the city of Ojai

Fox Canyon Trail is a very straightforward, moderately difficult trail to trudge.  I was visiting one of my best friends in the city of Ojai and he mentioned hiking in the Valley View Preserve.  We only had a couple hours and the clouds looked threatening (see pics) so we decided to do the nice and easy 2.8 miles of Fox Canyon…

The trail twists and winds through a series of switchbacks, steadily gaining elevation with each step.  The grade isn’t too steep but you are constantly walking uphill, which can get tiresome…

The trail itself is well-maintained and the flora surrounding it is lush, green and plentiful (at least it was when I went in March ’19).  As you begin to climb higher, you begin to catch glimpses of the city of Ojai below (see picture)…

The hike is quiet and relaxing as you go and it can get a little monotonous.  The scenery seems to stay the same as the trail continues its climb up and through the canyon…

Huge rocks dot the landscape as well.  Nestled deep into the sides of the hills, the rocks look as if giants had a fight and were throwing them at each other whilst taking cover behind the hills…

Eventually the trail makes its way down to the canyon floor where a stream is running and everything is teeming with life…

As the trail climbs back upward, you begin to climb along a ridge where you can see the entirety of Ojai sprawled beneath you.  This contrast of city life and rural life is really what makes this a unique hike.  Below, people are working away and tending to their lives while the mountains and hills tower above them.  It’s almost like natural walls are surrounding Ojai leaving it protected from outside influences…

Eventually, you have to begin to make your way down.  Just as the climb up was moderate, so is the way down.  You’ll know you’re going the right way when you can see the giant soup can nestled into the side of the hill…

Fox Canyon Trail is a nice little trail that’s perfect for getting a good workout in while not straining yourself too hard.  I hadn’t seen my friend LJ in a couple months and it was the perfect activity to do to catch up on our lives and also enjoy nature.  I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of what Valley View Preserve has to offer and I can’t wait to go back and see the rest of the trails in the area.  I feel like Fox Canyon is a good one to start off with though and if you are in the area, I would definitely recommend it.