Solstice Canyon was a real winner. We hiked 9 miles there on Sunday morning and were rewarded with waterfalls, ridge-line views, intriguing ruins, and a great workout. Though most of the parkland was burnt in a 2007 fire, it's coming back nicely now. As for the intriguing ruins, there's a burnt-through modernist home foundation on the trail that's somewhat mind-blowing. (The place was built in the 50s, photographed by Julius Shulman, and then burnt down in 1982 after the owner's heirs didn't bother to maintain the water-piping system built to protect the house from fire.)
Also: The Modern Hiker has a great writeup on this trail.
And: Be sure to take a right on the "Deer Valley Loop" off of the 'Sostomo Trail" — it makes for a better viewing experience and is less confusing…
Here are a few pictures:
Love this area!
BTW: Is that a fanny pack?
Took this hike today and really enjoyed it! Can’t believe we’ve never been on this one. Jack’s standards had been raised a bit high by our creek-jumping adventures of last week but he got some good climbing up and around the falls (with a very enthusiastic Leo right on his heels).