The area surrounding the Snail's Head is that of a private rancher's but I recently learned from a long-time local that if one or two hikers want to hike up there and don't litter or shoot or anything he'll allow it. So I set out to find a place to start hiking. Needles to say, it is not easy to find a legal place to park and hike from. Locals don't take kindly to you blocking their driveways and jumping their fences and hiking through their yards, but I talked to someone up at the Lighthouse Church which borders the ranch and he let me park there and start hiking. After I told him I worked for the Forest Service he said I'm welcome back anytime.
I crawled through the barbed wire fence surrounding the church property and then quickly found an old cow trail to follow. At first the going wasn't too steep but soon the cow trails faded and the terrain got tougher. But I admired the many lichen covered rocks, the oak and buckeye trees that have mostly lost their leaves and are prepared for winter dormancy, and the expansive grassy slopes. Already wary of mountain lions that frequent the hills, I saw a pile of cat scat and then decided to turn back. About another 20 minutes and I would've had the summit... But I climbed just high enough above town to get some great views. And, thankfully, the mountain isn't going anywhere, so I'll go back another time after I find someone to join me... and maybe once our winter rains begin and the hills get green and the flowers bloom. Holler if you'd like to join me :)
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