|
Santa Barbara Photos:
sunsets
| beaches
| dolphins
| surfing
| clouds
| rainbows
Things to See & Do:
attractions
| activities
| hidden treasures
| where to eat
| events
more articles like this
Local Hikes
updated: Oct 16, 2010, 9:00 AM
By the dedicated staff
Looking for a great place to go for a hike while you're visiting Santa Barbara? We have a few suggestions.
Our area is renowned for its local hiking, and every weekend (and most weekdays) you'll find plenty of people out on the trails. Be sure to exercise proper caution and safe hiking protocols: Take water and snacks, sunscreen and headgear, a flashlight if it's anywhere close to dusk, wear appropriate footwear, and let someone know your plans, where you're going and what time you plan to return.
The Sierra Club offers group hikes weekly. Edhat contributor, Robert Bernstein frequently shares his photos of these outings. You can see some of his images from Lizard's Mouth and Rocky Pine Ridge.
Recent wildfires have been devastating to some of the areas around our most popular trails, like Rattlesnake Canyon. However, all trails are currently reopened at this time. The selections we've included here are more out of the way spots. They'll all require a car trip to get to the trailhead, and you may want to consult a local website or online mapping service for more detailed directions from your starting location.
 El Capitan State Beach
If you're not headed to El Capitan for the camping or surfing, there's a beautiful short hike through the sycamore trees that's a well-kept secret.
These sprawling sycamores are some of the most amazing specimens of the species on the South or Central Coast.
To get to the grove, park in the day-use parking area near the El Cap store and walk south toward the rocky point. Before you round the point and head back toward the freeway, you'll see a trail heading off to the left and disappearing into the dense, flowery foliage. Once you're in there, it seems as though you've entered another world. On your right, a Tarzan-style rope hangs over the creek. Ahead are the giant sycamores.
The trail will wind you through the trees -- the only thing regretful about this hike is that it isn't longer -- and spit you out near the kiosk entrance to the park.
Of course, there is always great beach walking here during the summer, particularly heading north toward Refugio. You can also take the bike path that runs between the two state beaches. Or enjoy one of the rocks or picnic benches near the trailhead for watching a sunset.
 Angostura Pass
This hike takes you down a 7-mile access road toward the Santa Ynez River and Gibraltar Dam. The descent is rapid and may leave you expecting a debilitating elevation gain when you turn around and head back up. In fact, the elevation is spread over enough distance to make this a very manageable excursion.
The trailhead is located on East Camino Cielo Road, about a half mile from where Gibraltar hits East Camino Cielo. The pass is behind a locked gate on the right hand side of East Camino Cielo.
This is a usable access road, and ideal for mountain biking. About 31/2 miles down the trail (roughly the level of the power lines), there are large rocks on both sides of the road. These are the perfect spot for a picnic, but also look like they'd be fun to climb around on.
This could also be a turnaround for a 7-mile hike. If you wish to continue, the road goes on to the dam. Another option is the Matias Potrero trail, an unmarked trail that takes off down the left side of Angostura, about 2 miles down. You'll need to have a good sense of distance and a sharp eye to find this one.
 Gaviota Hot Springs
To get to the hot springs, take the Highway 1 exit off of Highway 101, just north of the Gaviota tunnel. Turn right off the offramp and drive about 600 meters to the parking area. There's a $2 parking fee that goes to the California State Parks system.
This is also the trailhead for the Gaviota Peak hike, a wicked 3-mile ascent with big elevation gain that splits off to the left from the hot springs trail just before the final push to the springs.
The pools aren't completely natural -- over time, people have placed rocks and concrete around the spring to contain the water, which is lukewarm at best. But the overall effect is still pretty natural. And yes, there may be naked people in the springs, so be prepared for that.
There are two pools at the hot springs, one smaller, higher one about 8 feet in diameter and another, larger one down below that's about 20 feet across.
They're surrounded by lush green growth, and a narrow corridor of poison oak surrounds the last 100 meters of the half-mile hike from the parking lot. If you're going up bare legged, watch out.
Hot springs photos by Toby Ayars
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
# # # #
 Coal Oil Trail
The Coal Oil Point Reserve north of Isla Vista and south of Ellwood Mesa is an easily overlooked spot for hiking, and its natural beauty right next to the ocean makes it the perfect choice for these hot late summer days.
There isn't any designated parking for reserve visitors, so you'll need to find a spot along El Colegio or off of Storke Road. The easiest way to access the reserve trails is from Slough Road, which is the main access way to UCSB's West Campus. Parking is completely restricted here, however; so don't leave your car here.
Walking along Slough Road toward the ocean, you'll see a trail on the right-hand side of the road that borders the slough. Drop down a steep short hill and head north. You'll be walking along the border of the Devereux Lagoon, and will very briefly be on pavement before reaching the Coal Oil trailhead.
The trailhead is clearly marked by a "Coal Oil Point Reserve" sign, with a list of do and don't regulations. This will let you know you're in the right spot.
This is an ecological study area, so it's important to obey the signs that ask you to stay on the trail and off of the plant and wildlife habitat areas. UCSB scientists and students are conducting research projects here, and volunteers are working to remove non-native plants from the area and replace them with the species that would naturally grow here.
The basic Coal Oil loop hike will take you along the slough and back to the trailhead via a trail that also leads to the beach. The beach beyond Coal Oil Point is one of the most beautiful wild beaches in Santa Barbara County, and also home to the endangered snowy plover. During the summer months, plover docents are constantly on watch here.
To access the loop trail, watch for a trail to the left that goes into the trees within the first 50 meters from the trailhead. You'll be headed toward the slough at an angle. Along the water's edge, several benches are placed for bird watching on the slough. There are dozens of species of gulls, terns, egrets, herons, ducks, grebes, divers and shorebirds that like to visit or live here. There are even some species that you won't find on the helpful signs provided about a half mile from the trailhead.
Continuing away from the slough, you'll head north toward Ellwood Mesa. There are several vernal pools between the point area and a Venoco holding facility, which are also popular with birds and small animals.
To extend the hike extensively, cut down the beach for another half mile before using the old access road to get up to Ellwood Mesa, where miles of trails are now permanently protected from development.
Photo by Jeanette Barnard
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
 Davy Brown
The trailhead is located 7.4 miles up Figueroa Mountain, if you start the odometer at the bridge right before the mountain ascent. (To get to the mountain, take Figueroa Mountain Road and travel seven miles from Highway 154.)
The trailhead is pretty clearly marked -- about one mile past the Figueroa Mountain campground, on the left hand side of the road, with a "Davy Brown trail" sign of rusted metal. There is parking at the trailhead; vehicles must display a Forest Service Adventure Pass.
The trail starts out heading immediately downhill, and is essentially downhill all the way to the Davy Brown campground, three miles down the canyon. You'll enter the canyon about 400 meters from the trailhead.
Much of the trail is cut into the edge of the canyon wall, and it can be slippery and narrow.
You will pass an amazing outcropping of flaking sandstone not far into the canyon. As you continue, the creek gains momentum, and small waterfalls, pools and other beautiful sights result. There are beautiful butterflies, moths, many ladybugs and chattering squirrels.
One mile down is a three-way trail intersection and the former site of a cabin of early ranger Edgar B. Davison. According to the plaque that marks the spot, Davison patrolled the backcountry from this remote site.
The trails that split off to the left and right here go to the Catway - a fire road on the ridge above, and to Ranger Peak, via the Munch Spur. If you don't want to continue all the way down to the camp, you can take the Munch Spur and make a loop, ending up on Ranger Peak and returning to your car via the road.
If you wish to continue down to Davy Brown, you will find that the trail briefly climbs out of the canyon for a time, into the dry sage and chaparral of the Los Padres back country.
But as quickly as it came out, it goes back in, descending to even more spectacular creek side hiking for another mile and a half.
The closer you get to the campground, the more creek crossings there are, as well as more water. Several deep pools beckon as great spots to sit and relax. They are also breeding grounds for mosquitoes, so be prepared to fend them off.
If you have time to backpack, Davy Brown is a great camping spot, located just over the last creek crossing (past the green gate) and around the bend.
The return trip will be much more strenuous, and Santa Barbara County's Recreational Map Series even recommends having someone pick you up at Davy Brown and drive you back to your car.
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
5 comments on this article. Read/Add
# # # #
|
