"The 2,860 acres gives me the space to go off and explore with friends. It makes this place so much more than just a school with great teachers." ~Colin Weaver `09

We encourage our students, staff, and pets to see as much of Midland's 2,860 acres as possible, and beyond. During our stints of free time, labeled "half holidays," kids can sign out to hike, run, mountain bike, or horseride. With nearly 30 miles of trails on our campus, there's always a new canyon or meadow to investigate, with dozens of species of plants, mammals, and birds to occupy the more detail-oriented student. Midland's property abuts the Los Padres National Forest--the state's largest national forest--and so we can literally hike from our back door for days. Students and faculty arrange camping trips, from simple overnighters to week-long treks. Lots of students bring their mountain bikes, as well, to give them a different perspective on our backcountry.

Hikes take place all over the campus, from the nearby "Bowl" behind the campus to an afternoon-long journey to "7th Corner," which involves a great deal of bushwhacking. Some Midland seniors have earned basic CPR and first-aid certification, and can lead hikes on their own. Once a year, the school hikes Grass Mountain, the dominant landscape feature on our property, together. We also have a tradition of taking night-hikes when the moon is bright.