Santa Barbara Hikes Devil's Canyon Trail
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Boulder, CO Leave No Trace Frountcountry program

Devil's Canyon Trail

NOTE: Due to the Zaca fire, you should check the Los Padres Forest Closure Orders page and the Zaca Fire Closure Area Map to make sure the hike you want to do is open.

Rating:
[out of 5]		 * * * 1/2
For:Hilly, somewhat long
Shooting Star flowers
Shooting Stars

Devil's Canyon is a beautiful, hidden jewel near to the Gibraltar Dam and Red Rock area. The nicest way to take this hike is to start on Paradise Rd. on the Matias Potrero trail which goes by Matias Potrero Camp, then hike to Devil's Canyon, down to Gibraltar Dam and back along either the road or the river to Red Rock. This hike is a car shuttle when done this way. If you don't want a car shuttle, then when you reach the dam, hike back the way you came.

You will need an Adventure Pass to park your car in the area.

Devil's Canyon done as a car shuttle (which means two cars - one at the start and one at the finish) is about 7.5 miles.


Devil's Canyon Trail Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: May 14, 2007, 5:33 pm
by: Liz

Yup, it's pretty. Yup, the creek is delightful. Yup, the place is entirely infested with ticks right now.

Black ones, brown ones, rust-colored ones.

I hiked the trail with a friend yesterday, and we picked and flicked no fewer than 80 ticks between us. That's a conservative estimate. We couldn't even enjoy the scenery because we were so busy playing defense.

We were never so happy to see a fire road when we exited the Devil's Canyon Trail (appropriately named for its resemblance to hell).

You may try it when it's not tick season, but I'm not sure I'll ever be comfortable going back.

A few spots along the trail are washed out, too, but it's entirely manageable.

As for the drive, the river is so low that almost all the crossings are dry.
 

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:29 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.