Horn Canyon drains the eastern south flank of Nordhoff Ridge, below Chief Peak, east of Ojai and the Ojai Valley. March through June are the best times for seeing native plants blooming in this area. The lower part of the canyon generally follows Horn Canyon Creek, and the upper part leaves the canyon bottom and climbs steeply to The Pines Campground, and then on further up to Nordhoff Ridge Road and Chief Peak.
The rains of 2004-2005 were the second highest ever recorded for the area. The abundant moisture brought forth a tremendous density of blooms from nearly every native plant species. The Farewell-to-Spring (Clarkia unguiculata) was especially dense and thick, while always present, had more plants then normal. The flower heads of Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum) are twice as large as they are normally.
All photos copyrighted by David L. Magney 1974-2005
