Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 55
TASSAJARA HOT SPRINGS
LENGTH AND TYPE: 19.2-mile out-and-back, 15.3-mile loop, or 11.5-mile point-to-point
RATING: Moderate to strenuous
TRAIL CONDITION: Passable to difficult, poison oak
HIGHLIGHTS: Hikers follow Tassajara Creek through narrow gorges that shelter hidden pools, while
guests of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center can enjoy the mineral-rich hot springs.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:
This hike begins where the pavement ends on Arroyo
Seco Road.
TRIP SUMMARY:
This route along Arroyo Seco Road and the Marble Peak Trail to the
Tony Trail or the Horse Pasture and Tassajara Cutoff Trails accesses rugged, steep-
walled Tassajara Creek canyon and its invigorating hot springs and swimming holes.
Only take this route when the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center is open. The center
is open only to guests with reservations from late April to early September: (831)
659-2229 or (415) 865-1899 for reservations,
sfzc.org/tassajara
.
From late September
to early April, Tassajara is closed to the public while the resident community immerses
itself in Zen training. The public does have right-of-way through the grounds year-
round, but the monks would prefer not to have unregistered guests. Without reserva-
tions you cannot use the hot springs or bathhouses.
The climb from Willow Creek canyon to Tassajara can be arduous. The trail
is overgrown, and along steeper sections the narrow tread suffers from slides and
washouts. Expect flies, ticks, and lots of poison oak. Nevertheless, these routes via the
Tony, Horse Pasture, and Tassajara Cutoff Trails lead into one of Ventana's most beau-
tiful canyons.
The route from Arroyo Seco offers several out-and-back, loop, and point-to-point
options, including: (1) Arroyo Seco to Tassajara Zen Mountain Center to the Church
Creek Trailhead via the Tony Trail and Tassajara Road (11.5 miles point-to-point,
if you can arrange a shuttle vehicle); (2) Arroyo Seco to Tassajara Zen Mountain
Center via the Horse Pasture and Tassajara Cutoff Trails, returning via the Tony Trail
(15.3-mile loop); and (3) Arroyo Seco to Tassajara Zen Mountain Center via the Tony
Trail (out-and-back 19.2 miles). Choose this last route if you're unable to arrange a
shuttle vehicle. The Horse Pasture Trail is overgrown with waistdeep poison oak, rul-
ing it out for those highly allergic to this plant. The Tony Trail is steeper and considered
abandoned by the US Forest Service, though as of this writing it was passable.
