Santa Ynez Peak via Tequepis Trail in Los Padres National Forest, CA

Hike Santa Ynez Peak via Tequepis Trail Los Padres National Forest, CA

Class 1 12.2 miles 3300 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Apr 25, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Santa Ynez Peak via Tequepis Trail GPX Track

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Santa Ynez Peak is the high point of the Santa Ynez Mountains, and it's often reached by just driving to the summit from the west along Camino Cielo Road. Plagued with a desire to hike my peaks rather than drive them, I was hoping to locate some sort of trail. I was surprised to find the Tequepis Trail, a popular set of switchbacks leading to the Santa Ynez Mountains ridge crest. Located far enough away from Santa Barbara CA, it doesn't get as much traffic as a trail well-maintained as this normally would. Often used by hikers to reach a nice viewpoint of the Pacific Ocean, some seem to also access the summit of Broadcast Peak. The trailhead is reached by driving through a private ranch on an excellent road to a well-signed trailhead, arrows pointing to where it's legal to park.

I followed the first sign, which directed me to walk through the Circle V Ranch Camp, a retreat center complete with a pool, cabins, and the like. Once through the camp a large sign marked the Tequepis Trail, an easy crossing of the flowing creek a pleasant welcome to gorgeous Tequepis Canyon. The trail followed the flow of the water and there were gorgeous trees growing within the canyon, wildflowers creeping onto the trail. After about a mile of this, the trail emerged into a small clearing and started the first switchback. I started getting views to the north toward Lake Cachuma and toward Santa Ynez Peak high above.

After about a half dozen switchbacks and progressively improving views, the Tequepis Trail continued south toward the ridgeline on the east side of Broadcast Peak. There'd basically been no shade since the oak grove within Tequepis Canyon until here, so I was happy for slightly thicker vegetation on the steep slope blocking the sun. The aftermath of a landslide on an adjacent slope was cool to look at from this angle. I noted multiple planes flying overhead throughout the hike, airtankers training for fire suppression. On the drive in earlier I'd seen one drop a haul of water and I subconsciously hoped they'd do it again, this time directly on me during this extremely warm hike.

I reached the ridge crest and was a little deflated to find the view to the ocean obscured by clouds. Fortunately they receeded a bit later on and I could better experience the scale of the ocean from this high up. The crest is sparsely vegetated, granite boulders sporadically popping out of the brush. I started west toward Broadcast Peak, a steeper endeavor than the Tequepis Trail and using an eroded use trail. There was no bushwhacking, but it was loose and quite different in character from the highway of switchbacks I'd just hiked up. Broadcast Peak is just a bump on the ridge surrounded by machinery, so I continued on, taking a service road down to Camino Cielo Road. The road was rocky, so I was surprised to see two motorcyclists driving along it. They politely waited for me to pass.

I hiked for about a mile to the base of Santa Ynez Peak along Camino Cielo Road, and then another steep use trail took me up the peak's east slope. The views were similar to what I'd been enjoying since Broadcast Peak, but now I was at the range high point. I backtracked, using Camino Cielo Road to bypass Broadcast Peak, and then continued on a social trail to get from the road back up to the Tequepis Trail.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Broadcast Peak
4028 ft
228 rise
2
Santa Ynez Peak
4298 ft
2058 rise

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Plenty of signs pointing to the Tequepis Trail.
Plenty of signs pointing to the Tequepis Trail.
After walking through the ranch property, a creek crossing along the Tequepis Trail.
After walking through the ranch property, a creek crossing along the Tequepis Trail.
The trail led through a beautiful portion of trees overhead and a flowing creek.
The trail led through a beautiful portion of trees overhead and a flowing creek.
Hints of views toward the Santa Ynez Mountains ridgeline above.
Hints of views toward the Santa Ynez Mountains ridgeline above.
Image 4 from gallery
A small clearing marking the start of switchbacks, Santa Ynez Peak seen above.
A small clearing marking the start of switchbacks, Santa Ynez Peak seen above.
The Tequepis Trail starts to switchback.
The Tequepis Trail starts to switchback.
Views down toward Lake Cachuma to the north.
Views down toward Lake Cachuma to the north.
Santa Ynez Peak hovering above.
Santa Ynez Peak hovering above.
Image 9 from gallery
Santa Ynez Peak seen on the right.
Santa Ynez Peak seen on the right.
Image 11 from gallery
A view back toward a lower Tequepis Trail switchback, Lake Cachuma in the distance.
A view back toward a lower Tequepis Trail switchback, Lake Cachuma in the distance.
Higher up, a view down into Tequepis Canyon, Santa Ynez Peak above.
Higher up, a view down into Tequepis Canyon, Santa Ynez Peak above.
A cool landslide on the opposite slope.
A cool landslide on the opposite slope.
Image 15 from gallery
Just a bunch of switchbacks with slightly changing views as it progresses up the northern slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Just a bunch of switchbacks with slightly changing views as it progresses up the northern slope of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Image 17 from gallery
The trail then continues to the ridgeline.
The trail then continues to the ridgeline.
Approaching the crest.
Approaching the crest.
A view toward Broadcast Peak.
A view toward Broadcast Peak.
The use trail up to Broadcast Peak, much more steep than the Tequepis Trail.
The use trail up to Broadcast Peak, much more steep than the Tequepis Trail.
A view east as I approach Broadcast Peak.
A view east as I approach Broadcast Peak.
Broadcast Peak ahead, Santa Ynez Peak on the right.
Broadcast Peak ahead, Santa Ynez Peak on the right.
A view east from Broadcast Peak, Pacific Ocean covered by clouds on the right.
A view east from Broadcast Peak, Pacific Ocean covered by clouds on the right.
Shot toward the coast, marine layer blocking my view for now.
Shot toward the coast, marine layer blocking my view for now.
Along Camino Cielo Road, Santa Ynez Peak ahead.
Along Camino Cielo Road, Santa Ynez Peak ahead.
View back toward Broadcast Peak.
View back toward Broadcast Peak.
Approaching the use trail for Santa Ynez Peak.
Approaching the use trail for Santa Ynez Peak.
View back along the use trail.
View back along the use trail.
Wider shot as I near the summit of Santa Ynez Peak.
Wider shot as I near the summit of Santa Ynez Peak.
Santa Ynez Peak, view west.
Santa Ynez Peak, view west.
Closer shot west along the ridgeline.
Closer shot west along the ridgeline.
Santa Ynez Peak, view east.
Santa Ynez Peak, view east.
A shot toward the coast after the clouds receeded.
A shot toward the coast after the clouds receeded.
A view toward Lake Cachuma to the north.
A view toward Lake Cachuma to the north.

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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!