Read an Excerpt
SADDLE ROCK LOOP
- LENGTH AND TYPE: 2-mile loop utilizing a portion of the Girard Trail; 2.4-mile out-and-back to Edison Catway
- RATING: Moderate (for a short but steep climb up Saddle Rock)
- TRAIL CONDITION: Clear
- MAP(S): USGS Santa Barbara; Conant’s Matilija & Dick Smith Wilderness (Note: Route only partially shown on USGS map)
- CAMP(S): —
- HIGHLIGHTS: Sandstone formations; excellent views of Montecito and surroundings
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD(S): Use the Saddle Rock Trailhead for this route.
TRIP SUMMARY: From East Mountain Drive, this popular day trip ascends the southern flank of Saddle Rock to the Edison service road through riparian and then chaparral-covered sandstone trail, topping out with fantastic views at Saddle Rock.
Trip Description
From the parking area (600', 257034E 3815087N), follow the trail northward along an easy and well-worn track shaded by numerous sycamores and live oaks and skirted by poison oak. The trail progresses behind numerous private properties and along a number of fence lines; be sure to stay to the trail and respect private property. Some nonnative plants (fennel, along with some that are landscaped) creep into the mix here, and soon you’ll cross a marginally residential stretch of Hot Springs Road (0.2 mile, 720', 257132E 3815338N); cross the first street and then stay left as the track parallels the road northward for a short spell before cutting onto the road proper.
Follow the road, crossing the creek (0.25 mile, 720', 257178E 3815420N) and continuing on the narrow road until reaching a large driveway gate (0.3 mile, 750', 257218E 3815484N). The trail follows this private drive along the right (east) side of the property before passing it and joining a dirt service road. Continue northward here until a Montecito Trails Foundation sign (0.45 mile, 850', 257415E 3815691N) directs you to the right (east) off the road to follow a small stretch of trail that then curves right to rejoin the road rather quickly and then cross Hot Springs Creek (0.5 mile, 860', 257448E 3815684N).
From the creek, follow the stone steps up and to your left, again following private property fences as you continue up the increasingly rock-strewn service road. Soon you’ll spot a large gate across the road—clearly indicating private property lays beyond—and it’s just before this gate that the trail (0.6 mile, 925', 257540E 3815685N) forks off to your right (east). Follow the trail up the erosion bars (not the deep-cut drainage on your left, which is an old and now abandoned route to the once-accessible hot springs), and from here you’ll climb somewhat steeply at points alternately beneath the shade of oaks or rocky, exposed trail for a brief stretch until you reach a gap (0.7 mile, 1,090', 257717E 3815640N) under cover of a mature live oak. Here the McMenemy Trail cuts down to your right (north); follow the left fork to continue up the Saddle Rock route.
From the gap, the route becomes steep and very rocky, leveling out at the Saddle Rock formation (0.75 mile, 1,120', 257760E 3815695N), a series of sandstone outcrops that curve above Oak Creek and provide some fairly mild but worthwhile opportunities for bouldering and scrambling. Bush monkeyflower is often the easiest-identified flower along this stretch of trail, but also common on this route are sage, nonnative fennel, gooseberry, and brodiaea.
Continue following the trail up along the exposed rock while you’re hemmed in by high chaparral (heavy on the chamise and laurel sumac) on both sides for another steep 0.25 mile—gaining impressive views rather quickly en route—until you crest the hill (1 mile, 1,400', 257853E 3815939N). Most hikers turn around here, the bulk of the work done, but consider continuing beyond the north slopes, where the trail continues, dropping into a saddle along which the well-known power lines travel. Follow the trail down into this gap, then climb again, passing beneath the power lines before gaining the service road, known locally as the Edison Catway (1.2 miles, 1,300', 257988E 257988N).
Here you have a few options. You can either return the way you came or follow the service road a very easy 0.3 mile right (eastward) to the junction with the Girard Trail (1.8 miles, 1,450', 258285E 3816066N), which you can follow for a nice loop to the upper McMenemy and back to the junction with the Saddle Rock Trail (see Map 6 and Routes 26 and 27). You may also wish to follow the service road left (west) from the junction, climbing 1.5 miles to the road’s intersection of the East Fork Cold Spring Trail (see Route 24).
