Introduction:
What? :
The hike to Inspiration
Point is about 3.4-mile out-and-back trail in the mountains north of Santa
Barbara. The hike considered to be moderately challenging with an elevation
gain of nearly 1,000 feet.
When reaching
your destination at the top of a mid-range mountain, 1,800-feet above the Santa
Barbara Coast, you will be reworded by the stunning views of the ocean, Santa
Barbara coastline, Channel Islands (25 miles away into the ocean), and the surrounding
mountains.
You can add to this trail a side hike to Seven Falls.
This hike will lead you to a side canyon where you can find several waterfalls (when the water are running).This challenging
side trail will add one or one and a half mile out and back hike, depending how
long you want to go into the side canyon. This short but challenging hike,
climb up and back down, can add one hour to your Inspiration Point hiking time.
Where? :
Located at the
mountains north of Santa Barbara.
From the Santa
Barbara Mission drive up to Foothill Road, turn right and when you see the fire
station on your right turn left into Mission Canyon. Drive up and take the left
fork into Tunnel Road. Continue to the end of the rod and the lock gate.
You can’t park here,
and you need to find a legal parking spot along Tunnel Road.
When driving up
and you see you are getting closer by the cars that are parking on the right
side of the road. S you are getting closer, and you see vacant parking spot get
into it. There is no parking lot at the trailhead.
Google Map Link
When? :
Year-round
hike.
When raining
the trail can get slippery and muddy in sections but not something you can’t
overcome.
Nearby Destinations Blogs:
Due note 1: This is a very
popular hike, especially at weekends and holidays. The main problem is that
there is no parking lot. You need to find legal to park spots along Tunnel Road.
Park properly outside the road and without blocking any local entrance. The
police frequently ticket illegally parked cars. We had to park half a mile down
the road, this add 1 mile to our overall hike.
Due note 2: This trailhead
is also the beginning of several much longer hikes leading up into the
mountains.
Due note 3: Dogs are allowed
but they must be on a leash.
Due note 4: The dirt road trails
are mountain bike friendly, but im not sure if you can ride up to Inspiration
Point. According Alltrails map it show it is OK to drive this single-track
trail.
Due note 5: There is
little shade along the trail, so ware hat, put sunscreen and bring plenty of
water. If you can plan to start your hike earlier in the day, it will also help
to avoid the crowd and easier to find parking spot.
Due note 6: It is best to
hike here on a clear day so you can enjoy the amazing views from the top.
Due note 7: There is very
little reception along the hike so download the map before you drive up.
Due note 8: There are no restrooms
or water in the trailhead.
Due note 9: No fee or
permit is necessary to hike here.
My thoughts:
We really enjoy
this fun hike to a nice viewing point, the view from inspiration point is impressive.
Although the trail climb almost 1,000 ft in 1.7 miles it is not so challenging,
and you can make it with many stops along the way.
The side trail
into seven falls is short but may be challenging and does not fit everyone.
The waterfalls
are nice, but you need to come during winter months for running water.
The Hike:
The official hike start at the gate at the end of the road.
It start on a wide path road called
Tunnel Trail that follow up the west side of Mission Canyon. The trail gain elevation
and you will have nice view of the town below you as you climb up.
This section, although
climbing up is moderate and difficult.
On your way you
will cross over to Mission Creek by a road bridge, here you can see below you some
operational structures, flood control dam, and a small bridge.
Keep walking
and after about 0.8 mile, you’ll reach the Mission Canyon Trailhead junction. You
can’t miss it, here you will see a large map and instruction board.
In this trail junction you can connect to several other hiking and mountain biking trails.
Take the road
left and after a short climb take left into the narrow semi-marked but clear trail,
Jesusita Trail, that leads to Inspiration Point.
The trail go
down to Mission Creek crossing, this will be exactly 1 mile from the starting
point.
During most
times of the year, the creek water level is low, so you shouldn’t have an issue
with dry crossing, hoping from rock to rock. We hiked here mid-February 2024 after
a several days with a lot of rains, and we manage to cross it without getting
wet.
At this
location there is the trail that fork right and up into the canyon, leading to Seven
Falls.
I recommend taking
this side trail on your way back, after visiting first Inspiration Point.
From the creek
crossing, the trail turns left and climb the other side going up. This section starts
to get steeper, but you can take resting stop and you have occasional shade.
If you will
look up the mountain you can see the high-voltage power lines, this is you
direction. It looks intimidating but it is not so difficult or very long.
Near the top the trail cross under the power lines and soon after you will reach another a dirt road, left to right. Cross it and “surprisingly” after the tall bushes you will reach your destination and see the view below you.
This will be 1.7 miles from
the trail starting point.
Find a place to
seat and enjoy the stunning views in all directions.
To the south and far below you can see Santa Barbara coastline, Stearns Wharf, and the large Main Harbor.
On a good visibility day, you can see the large Channel Islands that are located 25 miles into the ocean.
On the back side (north) you can see the
high Santa Ynez Mountains ridge towering above you.
After resting,
eating, and drinking you will start your hike back the same way you came here.
Seven Falls Hike:
On your way
back you will cross again Mission Creek, here you can take the side hike to
Seven Falls.
Although short
(a mile in and out) it is challenging hike that involved with unmaintained
trail, very steep climbing up the trail in its first section.
From the creek
crossing you have 3 options:
1. Walk in
the creek – this is not an actual trail and it involved with bushwalking and overcome
boulders and rocks.
2. Up right
– this trail is start by following the canyon but soon climb sharply over rocks
and large “steps”. This trail connect to the left one at some point on the
ridgeline.
3. Up left
– this is the recommended trail, still climbing up sharply but it the most “maintained”
out of the 3 options.
Start hiking the left trail (#3). The trail is narrow and steep and gaining elevation quickly.
At some point you will find yourself out of the canyon, keep hiking on
this “ridgeline” and soon you will see the “up right” trail connecting.
After additional
short hike you will reach a trail junction, turn right.
A short walk
and you will see the “trail” leading down the steep cliff into the canyon.
Walk down
slowly and you will see the rope that will help you to overcome the cliff steep
with loose dirt section. Be careful not to slip in this section, using the rope
and holding rocks.
After short
walk you will reach the creek, the waterfalls will be on your left.
From below you will
see the tallest fall, about 20 feet tall, cascading over the rock into the
small pool below.
You can climb
the waterfall on it left side, over the rock crack, find footholds in the rock
and climb to the waterfall level.
Once you are in
the upper waterfall level you will have the view of series of small falls, only
few feet tall, one after the other.
There are large
pools between the falls, and you can’t progress from here without completely
getting wet.
On hot summer
day you can enjoy the pools for swimming and refreshing.
When you are
done you need to climb the strenuous climb back to the upper trail, using the
rope.
Now you can
keep walking on the upper trail up the canyon and soon you will see another
trail going down into the canyon.
Take this trail
and slowly climb down, there is no rope here.
Once reaching
back to the creek level head left and walk over the boulders. Soon you will see
another nice waterfall. You can access the waterfall on the right side of the creek.
Here the swimming
option has less water.
After finishing
your stay here, you need to walk back up the cliff to the above trail, turn
left and hike back all the way down to the main inspiration point trail.
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