Santa Barbara Canyon Trail - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 6.92 Miles

Trail Details

• Trail #: 25W02
• Wilderness Area: Dick Smith
• County: Santa Barbara County
• Ranger District: Mt. Pinos Ranger District
• Trail-head Latitude: 34.77264
• Trail-head Longitude: -119.57235
• Water Sources: The creek along Santa Barbara Canyon is very seasonal. Expect water in the winter and spring months but no water in the summer and fall.
• Trail Condition: Kind of Good - Little to no bushwacking and easily followable
• Topo Maps:
  
  Malduce Peak
  Salisbury Potrero
Activities & Features:
• Backpacking
• Birding
• Camping
• Creek
• Day Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Hunting
• Panoramic Views
• Spring
• Wildlife Viewing
• Wilderness Camping

Trail Stats

• Total Elevation Gain: + 2151 feet.
• Total Elevation Loss: - 642 feet.
• Overall Average Slope Gain: + 7 %.
• Overall Average Slope Loss: - 4 %.
• Kilometers:
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• Meters:
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• Miles:
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• Feet:
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• Average Slope:
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Trail Camps

Madulce - 7 miles from the trailhead

Photo By: - Website Link

Photo By: - Website Link

Photo: Bryan Conant

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Survey This Trail

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Survey Photos:

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  Hike Los Padres - 05-01-2015
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  Hike Los Padres - 05-01-2015
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-18-2017
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-18-2017
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-18-2017
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-18-2017
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-18-2017
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  Mike Maki - 04-21-2017
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  Mike Maki - 04-21-2017
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  Mike Maki - 04-21-2017
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  Mike Maki - 04-21-2017
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  Mike Maki - 04-21-2017
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  Abby Fitch - 04-30-2017
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  Abby Fitch - 04-30-2017
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  Abby Fitch - 04-30-2017
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  Abby Fitch - 04-30-2017
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  Abby Fitch - 04-30-2017
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-19-2018
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-19-2018
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-19-2018
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-19-2018
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-19-2018
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  Antonio Calderon - 05-15-2020
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 11-27-2021
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 11-27-2021
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 11-27-2021
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 03-13-2022
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 03-13-2022
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 03-13-2022
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 03-13-2022
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 03-13-2022

Submitted Trail Reports

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-24-2024 - by Clancy

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-24-2024
Surveyor Name:	Clancy
Trail description:	Generally pretty good by LPF backcountry standards these days. Some downed trees and occasional pushing through brush. Easy to follow for the most part. A little tricky at some of the stream crossings to find the trail again. There is a picnic table on the creek before Chokecherry Canyon and going up Heart Break Hill.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 11-24-2022 - by Charles

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	11-24-2022
Surveyor Name:	Charles
Trail description:	The trail was in good shape for the most part. There were about 7 downed trees and the rosebush thorns were very overgrown, but the tread was still findable the whole way. Just a couple of crossings with water. Switchbacks in heartbreak hill would be amazing.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 04-30-2022 - by Mojo

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	04-30-2022
Surveyor Name:	Mojo
Trail description:	Recent trail work makes this a pleasant and easy trail to follow as far as SB backcountry goes. Hiked from the trailhead to Madulce where I turned up towards the ridge. Lots of wildflowers and great examples of other local flora. First few crossings were dry but reliable water starting not far from the trailhead. Unbelievable amount of ticks in the mile stretch before Heartbreak Hill. They really like to hang out on the wild rosebush encroaching on the trail. Picked off a total of 106, glad I wore pants. Tickmageddon ended once I got a little up the hill and out of the creek bed. No downed trees or heavy chaparral. One crossing was ankle deep, feet stayed dry on all the rest. The rose grows in fast but thorns weren't too bad yet. Poison oak was present but unoppressive. Saw two fire rings on the side of the trail before reaching Madulce. But for the ticks this was a 10/10 section.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 03-13-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	03-13-2022
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Many creek crossings and roses as indicated in the description. 3 camps/fire rings were observed along the trail. Water was flowing in the creek. Water was cleaner in the upper portion of the canyon and not Orange like in the lower portion. Went down heartbreak hill. Definitely a gully down the middle of it. Would not go out of my way to hike the judell-sb canyon loop again
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 02-17-2022 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	02-17-2022
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	The LPFA is working on a reroute of Heartbreak Hill and will be out along SB Cyn quite a bit over the coming months and years. The trail is in good shape at the moment and easy to follow. Some brush in spots but otherwise a wilderness freeway by LP standards. Water starts along the trail at third creek crossing and continues from there up to Heartbreak. Enjoy.....
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 02-21-2021 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	02-21-2021
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Trail was in good enough shape by LP Backcountry standards. Some brush once again encroaching on the trail in places and the occasional downed tree but overall in good shape. Heartbreak remains steep and rutted! Good water along most of the trail..... Enjoy.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 11-27-2021 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	11-27-2021
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Very beautiful trail. Only a couple fallen trees and some overgrowth. Easy to follow. Rosebush was annoying.  The creek had a couple different spots with flowing water but other than that it was completely dry.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 04-24-2021 - by Addison Jerlow

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	04-24-2021
Surveyor Name:	Addison Jerlow
Trail description:	Clear and easy for the first few miles, intermittent flow/pools in the creek after 3ish miles (first flowing creek crossing has fastest moving water). Lots of roses from then on but not too sharp right now, trail still easy to follow. Heart Break Hill looking a little washed out/overgrown but easy to follow.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 12-20-2020 - by Luna

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	12-20-2020
Surveyor Name:	Luna
Trail description:
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	A few downed trees, and a lot of overgrown rose. Some sneaky poison oak hidden in the rose.

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 06-23-2020 - by John Doe

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	06-23-2020
Surveyor Name:	John Doe
Trail description:	The first half or so of the trail is in great condition, gradually becoming more overgrown, with several downed trees and sections choked with ceanothus and rose thorns as you near Heartbreak Hill. Once the steep climb begins, the path widens and the  bushwhacking ends. There are a few crossings that are choked out with vegetation to the point where you have to stop and think about where the trail might be on the other side, but it is easy to follow overall. Water (of varying quality) present in most crossings, passable without getting your feet wet.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Easy to follow w/ bushwhacking near upper creek crossings

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-15-2020 - by Antonio Calderon

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-15-2020
Surveyor Name:	Antonio Calderon
Trail description:	Did a portion of the trail from willow flat to chokecherry canyon. The deeper you go in the canyon the brushier the creek crossings get. Bringing some shears next time to cut through some of the rougher sections. Creek was flowing good and getting our feet wet was unavoidable at some creek crossings.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-17-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-17-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	The LPFA led 8-days of trail work on SB Cyn between mid April and late May 2019.  The focus of these projects was to brush the lower 1/2 mile of the trail and we also cleared 21 downed trees between the trailhead and the bottom of Heartbreak Hill. It's very depressing seeing how fast all the California Rose and willows at the crossings have come back after all the work we did on SB Cyn in 2017-2018.  The trail was in near perfect shape in late 2017 and early 2018 and now in some spots it looks like we were never there.  That's part of life working in the chaparral but it's also partly due to the Reyes Ranch gate now being closed during prime backpacking season.  SB Cyn just isn't seeing the amount of users it once did and as a result the trail is becoming overgrown at a much faster rate.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Water was available along the full extent of the SB Canyon Trail.

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-06-2019 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-06-2019
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	The trail was a lot of work to hike. There are a lot of fallen trees requiring constant negotiation, sometimes removing your pack to get under. The trail is brushy. Lots of ticks. Fortunately not much poison oak. The heartbreak hill section is more like footbreak hill for anybody going down. And the start of the trail at the top near Madulce Camp is faint.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Trail is brushy with a lot of small fallen trees

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 04-09-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	04-09-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA trail report that there are "tons of down trees from Santa Barbara Cyn up to Madulce".   There will be a trail crew working SB Cyn later this month, we'll update when they get back.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 01-02-2019 - by Brad Anderson

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	01-02-2019
Surveyor Name:	Brad Anderson
Trail description:	Approximately 10 1-2 ft diameter trees down between Santa Barbara canyon trailhead and madulce camp. There is a trickle for me spring about halfway to madulce camp.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 08-25-2018 - by Andrew

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	08-25-2018
Surveyor Name:	Andrew
Trail description:	Easy to follow trail however the second half of the trail will mostly have waist-high brush along the rest of the way until Heartbreak Hill. The California Rose Bushes were incredibly annoying. Trail was completely dry this time of year. A few large dead trees required a little bushwhacking to get around including one spot that unfortunately required cutting a switchback.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-15-2018 - by Valerie Norton

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-15-2018
Surveyor Name:	Valerie Norton
Trail description:	There is water in the canyon from about 2 miles up until shortly before Heartbreak Hill. There is more water from Madulce Camp on up to until shortly before that one tree that had fallen along the trail. You know it? That's the last crossing, anyway. Water can be heard past that, but it would be really hard to get to. I guess we are calling that bit Madulce Trail anyway even though the signs clearly think it is more of Santa Barbara Canyon. Sure, there is a certain amount of sense to doing it this way... Anyway. I jumped over/walked around 9 trees, none of them very big but half of them annoyingly high. I followed the switchbacks on the first bit of the rut up Heartbreak Hill. I take it those are being left to return to the bushes? Oh, the roses. They all seem soft and not particularly grabby as they are still getting started. Or maybe I found the right pair of pants. I doubt it is the pants. A few of the leaves have galls on them, which was interesting to see. No one else out there, but it was a Tuesday. For pictures and details, my first day write up can be found here.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 03-19-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	03-19-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	The SB Cyn Trail is in FANTASTIC SHAPE, best shape its been in for many many years.  All the work from the past two seasons is holding nice.  It starts a little brushy for the first 1.5 miles but then opens up into a really lovely trail - best way to describe it.  There are two larger crosscut trees down across the trail at 3.1 and 4.2 miles.  Heartbreak Hill remains a sloshy rutted challenge but all the brush has been cleared along that section as well.  Good time for SB Cyn - get it while the gettin is good.   The biggest bummer is that the gate remains closed at Reyes Ranch, which tacks on an additional 4 miles each way to your hike.  You could ride it on a mountain bike but lets hope the gate gets opened again soon as the road is in good shape.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	New trailhead sign. Lovely Still breaking hearts One of the best views out there Trail junction at Madulce Camp

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-07-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-07-2017
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA trail project clearing a large downed oak from the trail: http://lpforest.org/santa-barbara-canyon-oak-tree-clearing/
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 04-30-2017 - by Abby Fitch

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	04-30-2017
Surveyor Name:	Abby Fitch
Trail description:	The gate at Reyes Ranch is still closed, so plan for an extra 4 miles each way on this hike from the closed gate (we were lucky to run into forest manager Joe Dura, our knight in shining pickup truck, who gave us a lift back to the gate on our way back out and saved us the walking from the trailhead).   Trail is in good shape and easy to follow, except to note that it iS getting a bit brushy in spots - definitely wear your hiking pants- and that at the first water crossing the trail picks up to the left on the opposite bank - we missed that on the way out and walked downstream for almost a mile.   Water everywhere - prepare to get wet on the numerous creek crossings - and the Maldulce campsite is in beautiful shape.  Saw a rattlesnake but no bears.  Have a great time!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	Pine canyon Full bloom Stunning Water everywhere Green at last

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 04-21-2017 - by Mike Maki

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	04-21-2017
Surveyor Name:	Mike Maki
Trail description:	I second what Los Padres Forest Association reported from 3/18/2017. Still good water all the way to Heartbreak Hill. Couple of easy crossing trees down and a little brusy in some areas. Definitely a "Yellow" Bryan Conant map trail. Able to keep feet dry at all crossings. Saw two other hikers that day on top of Heartbreak Hill when I was about half way up. Made it to Lower Bear Camp that afternoon. First of a four day Condor Trail section hike to Manzana Schoolhouse and out at NIRA. Pics here if interested.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	Wayside at beginning of trail section after 3 mile hike in up road. Trail on the lower section. Good water The "in the creek" section. Able to keep dry. VIew north down the canyon from top of Heartbreak Hill

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 03-18-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	03-18-2017
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail is in really good shape by Dick Smith standards.  Someone has gone through and cut out around 30 trees (all but two) along the trail.  There remains brushy sections, that one section that literally goes through the creek and some severe ruts, but there is no trouble following the trail.  Heartbreak Hill remains a steep rutted slog but is still open after last years May Working Vacation trail work.  Water along the entire length of the trail.  The gate is still locked at Reyes Ranch, which does add an extra 4miles of hiking/riding the road in order to get to the trailhead.  Enjoy!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	Signs of recent tree removal along the entire stretch of SB Cyn Trail. One of two remaining downed trees along the trail (34.7416, -119.5668) Dick Smith rose sections, ouch! Heartbreak Hill, looking better than normal! Views down to Madulce Camp and Madulce Peak (no snow)

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 02-12-2017 - by Kevin Pietrzak

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	02-12-2017
Surveyor Name:	Kevin Pietrzak
Trail description:	Water water everywhere! We had to wade a number of the creek crossings as the creek was too high for rock hopping. The trail was in good shape and easy to follow. The roses haven't taken over... yet. Thanks to all the folks who have been working on the trail! There were about 10 trees down between the TH and Madulce. A couple of trees were down at creek crossings which made for awkward fording. Next time I'm bringing a saw. Manzanita and silk tassel were in bloom but otherwise a little early for spring. It was very nice to see all the green in the hills and water in the creeks I was taken aback by the abundance of trash along the trail, almost entirely beverage containers (water bottles, beer/soda cans, gatorade, pedialyte, etc.) My girlfriend and I packed out all we could find. In total we brought back 83 plastic bottles, 34 aluminum cans, a glass bottle and a small trash bag of non-recyclables. Both of our packs doubled in volume with all the trash. While I'm glad people are taking care of themselves and staying hydrated I wish they would show the same respect for the Los Padres and their fellow hikers.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-30-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-30-2016
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	The LPFA led two trail projects along Santa Barbara Canyon Trail in 2016.  The trail should be very followable from start to finish but expect sections of brush-pushing and having to fight back the California Rose.  All in all, it should be in good shape and great shape by Dick Smith measures.  Go and get some..... More information and photos can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/LosPadresForestAssociation/posts/617391001719161
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 12-18-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	12-18-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	See report below: http://arcg.is/1INNXQh
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 05-01-2015 - by Hike Los Padres

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	05-01-2015
Surveyor Name:	Hike Los Padres
Trail description:	Mount Pinos Volunteer Wilderness Rangers patrolled the SB Cyn Trail and removed a few downed trees before Heart Break Hill.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:	Before After

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 03-29-2015 - by Hike Los Padres

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	03-29-2015
Surveyor Name:	Hike Los Padres
Trail description:	UTMC and Wilderness Corps led a trail project up SB Cyn and removed nearly 60 trees from the trailhead up to the base of Heartbreak Hill.  There was one large downed oak that was not cleared at the base of  of the HBHill. Link to Wilderness Corps photos: https://www.wildernesscorps.com/2015-santa-barbara-canyon-trail-logging-trip
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 02-28-2015 - by Hike Los Padres

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	02-28-2015
Surveyor Name:	Hike Los Padres
Trail description:	Wilderness Corp and United Trail Maintainers of California led a trail project to log fallen trees from the SB Canyon Trail.  They counted 25 trees and were able to remove 11 of them from the trail corridor.  Further projects are planned to remove the remaining downed trees.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 04-25-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	04-25-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	• Most of the crossings along SB Canyon had water.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Santa Barbara Canyon Trail Survey - 06-21-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Barbara Canyon Trail
Date:	06-21-2014
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Approximately 4 downed trees. The rose was awful. Worst time along this trail, time for a clearing.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Overhead California rose was gnarly
Number of trees down:	4

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