Grace C. Chang - Santa Barbara Hikes

Distance (R-T): 3 mile loop, 3.5 miles to the waterfall, 8 miles to Camino Cielo
Elevation gain: 800 feet to the waterfall, 2970 to Camino Cielo
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, depending on destination

I never fail to see a banana slug along this trail, which completely grosses me out, but I take it anyway because it's pretty. For the first 1/2 mile, we walk near or along a road past huge Montecito villas. The one at the end of the road is AMAZING. Their gardens are expansive and the house (and views from it) is spectacular. Oh, the hike - after the houses, we are on somewhat of a road. At some point along the trail, we have a choice to take a right onto a single-track trail and follow San Ysidro Creek or go left and continue up a fire road. First, the single-track trail. This follows San Ysdiro Creek. A few sections are somewhat steep, but it's a pretty mellow trail. Just after the creek crossing, is a fork in the trail. If we go straight, it leads to a narrow, but high waterfall with ferns growing on the walls and a small, shallow pool below it. If we take the right turn, we go up switchbacks and proceed to Camino Cielo. It's pretty boring until you reach the road for some great views. If we take a left up the fire road, the trail gets VERY steep up never-ending switchbacks and then ends on the "Catwalk". The Catwalk can be taken to Cold Springs or Hot Springs trail and back around on the Mcmenemy trail. Or we can take a left and go down the hill toward the electric tower. Take a right at the bottom of the hill onto the single-track trail. This curves around for lovely ocean views, and then reaches another fork. Go left to get back to San Ysidro trailhead. Go left and you end up heading toward Hot Springs trail or Cold Springs trail.

Driving directions (from the 101): Take the San Ysidro Road Exit. Drive toward the mountains. At the second 4-way stoplight, take a right onto East Valley Road (also the 192). There are shopping malls at two of the corners. Drive until you cross a bridge for San Ysidro Creek. The next left turn is Park Lane. Take a left onto Park Lane. You'll be in a beautiful tunnel of Eucalyptus trees and see many houses that you will never be able to afford. The road curves left. At the fork in the road, take the lower fork (left). This is onto Mountain Drive. Mountain Drive ends at San Ysidro Ranch. Park on either side of the road. The trailhead is near the Ranch on the right.

Left: Mudslide on trail in '05 and Right: San Ysidro Creek, spring '05

Left: Greg on San Ysidro Trail and Right: Frank and Brian enjoying the view

Tam

Also see Bella Vista.

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