Los Angeles: Cold Springs Trail
This 8.3-mile lollipop loop quickly ascends 2,500 feet into the coastal hills; bring your camera to capture striking above-the-fog seascapes.
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©Gail and Harry Steele-Moyer
©Gail and Harry Steele-Moyer
©Gail and Harry Steele-Moyer
©Gail and Harry Steele-Moyer
Trail Facts
- Distance: 7.8
Waypoints
CST001
Location: 34.456298828125, -119.652496337891
From road, head E up Cold Springs Ridge Trail through coyote bush and manzanita on old stagecoach route
CST002
Location: 34.4559593200684, -119.651000976562
Ascend singletrack dirt switchbacks; turn S for first views over Santa Barbara and out to the Channel Islands
CST003
Location: 34.460620880127, -119.650703430176
R @ Y with E Fork Cold Springs Trail; head E past showy CA lilacs
CST004
Location: 34.4605293273926, -119.647201538086
Cold Springs Trail intersects with Edison Co. service road; stay on N side of jeep trail
CST005
Location: 34.4607200622559, -119.645698547363
L @ Y with Cold Springs Trail, head up slope
CST006
Location: 34.4691314697266, -119.644599914551
Trail skirts W slope of Montecito Peak (3,214 ft.) Spur: On R, .1-mi. nontechnical scramble to pointy angel’s-nest peak; summit is roughly 50 ft. in diameter, nearly flat–perfect for photos of Santa Ynez Mtns.
CST007
Location: 34.4841499328613, -119.638999938965
Reach Cold Springs saddle and E. Camino Cielo Rd. with views of Pacific shoreline and backcountry of Los Padres NF; retrace route to WPT 3
CST008
Location: 34.4637908935547, -119.650596618652
E. Fork Trail creek crossing; head N to finish loop WSW through lush canyon and creek spilling over small pools framed by alders; watch for poison oak
CST009
Location: 34.4561386108398, -119.653198242188
Reach E. Fork Cold Springs trailhead on E. Mtn. Dr.; return on rd. to car
Emerald Slopes and Azure Skies
Location: 34.4575881958008, -119.648941040039
The sky and the hills of the Santa Ynez. ©Gail and Harry Steele-Moyer
Gully and Clouds
Location: 34.4838180541992, -119.638786315918
The hills unfold for miles. ©Gail and Harry Steele-Moyer
The Pacific from on high
Location: 34.4837684631348, -119.638687133789
The Pacific Coast to the E through the haze. ©Gail and Harry Steele-Moyer
View Near Montecito
Location: 34.4694290161133, -119.643020629883
Through the trees and over the ocean. ©Gail and Harry Steele-Moyer
