Hike Montecito Peak Los Padres National Forest, CA

Directions

Route Map

Download GPX

Montecito Peak GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

Add to Cart

View Cart

Montecito Peak is a popular hike for the locals of Santa Barbara and surrounding area, so we found it odd that the trailhead was comprised of little more than pull-outs off the winding East Mountain Drive. Chris and I set out along the East Fork Cold Spring Trail, which took us north as it paralleled Montecito Creek. We passed a junction with the West Fork Cold Spring Trail, keeping to the East Fork. The flowing water sounds were really nice, and the hike was shaded for the first mile. The well-maintained trail crosses the creek a couple of times and passes a waterfall before ascending east and away from the creek.

A couple of long switchbacks brought us up the slope and to another trail junction, which some hikers use to form a partial loop. We enjoyed the shade and Cold Spring Creek, and rather than do this other loop portion on our way back decided to just make this an out-and-back. The trail continues ascending and soon we reached a junction with a dirt service road complete with powerlines overhead. Sticking to this road only a short time, the Cold Spring Trail became single track again as it led north. Wrapping around minor humps and creeping along the western slope of Montecito Peak, the trail progressed toward the summit. All the trees and lush foliage were gone at this point, replaced with typical chaparral. Fortunately the view toward the coast was quite nice as we ascended, otherwise it would be a bit of a bland section of hiking.

The Cold Spring Trail actually passes right under Montecito Peak since the trail itself doesn't lead to the summit, instead leading to the range crest farther north. A social trail has been created at a point where the Cold Spring Trail approaches the northern ridge of Montecito Peak. It's quite eroded from rain runoff. Ascending steeply, we took this social trail to gain the north ridge, then continued south to reach the summit. We could see the Channel Islands off the coast, Santa Ynez Peak to the west, and the suburban sprawl below. We also noted the other route hikers seem to enjoy using to reach Montecito Peak, a much shorter endeavor starting from the range crest. We were happy to have done the longer route to enjoy the sights and the pretty Cold Creek.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Montecito Peak

3214 ft

339 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Starting along the East Fork Cold Spring Trail.

Following the watercourse along the shady trail.

Approaching a waterfall and stream crossing.

I took this shot of the waterfall on the way back when the lighting was niver.

It was a nice cozy spot.

Past the waterfall, the trail continues along the creekside.

And then it starts ascending via switchbacks up the slope.

Montecito Peak visible up there.

Approaching a dirt service road. The trail then leads along the ridge seen on the left.

View back just before the road.

A short spurt of road walking along the Cold Creek Trail. Montecito Peak seen left of center.

The coast visible over there as the trail ascends the south ridge of Montecito Peak.

The trail avoiding a lump along the ridge.

And then we entered typical chaparral.

Ascending along the trail, decent views into the canyons below.

Montecito Peak ahead.

We got some good views of the ocean as we progressed.

A social trail leading away from the Cold Creek Trial, which brought us up to the north ridge of Montecito Peak.

View back after the trail wrapped around the west side of Montecito Peak.

North ridge of Montecito Peak.

It's a steep, eroded social trail.

Montecito Peak, view north.

Montecito Peak, view southeast.

Montecito Peak, view south toward the coast. You can see hints of the Channel Islands poking up under the marine layer.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!