Cold Spring Backpacking

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Features Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers

Cold Spring Trail is likely the best hiking trail in the region, offering great if not moderately steep grades up sandstone cliffs, crossing and meandering along the creek of the same name. Once atop Camino Cielo (summit) a descent down north Cold Spring Trail takes one into an old homestead with camping sites, followed by a natural cool grotto for a swim.

Cold Spring is not the longest backpacking trip, but Santa Barbara miles can often be harder than advertised. Cold Spring Trail is a reasonably difficult hike, involving some steep sections just 3 miles past the parking area, and all the way to the summit at Camino Cielo Road. Along the way the ecology changes in step with geology, from sandstone and thick toyon to shale and chaparral. Incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands are frequent along the climbs and descents.

Once over the road at Cold Spring Saddle and heading down Old Cold Springs Trail to the north, views of the San Rafael Mountains appear, offering dichotomous experiences in place. At the first meadow along this trail is the site of an old homestead, that of Forbush, where campsites and an old ruined fireplace are present. If camping here, set up your site and then head another half mile down the trail to find the cold spring grotto---perfect for swimming and an evening dip. Reverse course and head home the next day!

This trail was used by early sheepherders and settlers, and was likely an established Native American route long before.