Arroyo Burro Trail

This hike is a challenge. It's one of the rare front country hikes that has uphill both on the way up and on the way back, and all of it is steep. It's a long hike, too. 12 miles.

You will have to hike part of the way on paved and dirt roads and through private easements that are constantly in flux.

The Arroyo Burro Trail is a historic trail. In the days before automobile travel trails the only way over the impenetrable mountain barrier between the coast and the interior. Arroyo Burro supplied a route for miners and other trade. The trail continues over the other side of the mountains to the Santa Ynez River. This other half of the trail is shady and very lovely, but not described here.

The hike is 12 strenuous miles round trip with an approximate 4000ft elevation gain. The gratuitous 500ft. drop you do in the middle of the ascent adds that extra 1000ft.

Arroyo Burro Trail Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: June 28, 2010, 1:45 pm
by: dmarchiando

Took the Arroyo Burro to Camino Cielo Sunday 06-27-10. Beware, in the dirt road, in the lower section of the trail, before you get into the single-track, there is a huge colony of ground-dwelling bees that, that you will want to keep your distance from. There is another large colony about half-way to Camino Cielo, right in the middle of the trail, before you start decending into the next drainage/canyon/creek. Upper trail was fairly over-grown with lots of different thorny weeds, and tall mustard. Upper-most sections of shaded trail has lots of poison oak, much of which hangs vine-like from the trees. I wish I had worn longs pants and gaiters over my socks.

Posted: May 2, 2010, 1:35 pm
by: graytest

I tried to do the Arroyo Burro trail today but had problem finding the trail after the pavement. Was hoping that someone could help me so that I'll find it easier next time!

I reached the two roads. One going from left to right (left leading to a gate, right having a sign that says "private, no trail access") and one road going up the hill. I took the one going up the hill (had sign saying "public trail"). Followed the road and passed a few trail-signs.

Once I reached the top of the hill there was a dirt road to the left that said "Private" (seemed to be fenced in for horse use or something). On the right side of the road there was another Trail-sign that pointed sorta off of the ridge (assumed that it was just misaligned and pointed along the road). I kept following the pavement trying to find the non-paved trail access. After a short walk I passed the gate to San Roque Ranch.

After passing the ranch there was a dirt area to the left. A bit further ahead a dirt road led off the ridge to the left. I first thought this was the trail, but the road had a No Trespassing-sign (and barbed wire across) a few yards down.

Trying to follow the paved road a bit further led me to a locked gate across the road.

Could anyone please let me know where I missed the trail? And give me a more detailed description how to find it next time?

Thanks for the help!

Posted: August 9, 2009, 1:18 pm
by: Rokrover

Indeed, as GerryC updated,the trail is mostly undamaged and these pictures confirm the current conditions:
http://picasaweb.google.com/rokrover/ArroyoBurroBuff#

Posted: July 12, 2009, 9:01 pm
by: GerryC

Hiked the lower portion of the trail today from the Cater Water Treatment plant. The Jesusita route is burned in places, but the trail undamaged to the AB trail junction. After climbing up the paved road, I rejoined the trail. The formerly overgrown section from the top of the paved road to the meadow (prior to rejoining the old trail route) is now very clear. All the brush is gone. Some of trees on the first portion may survive, but there are lots of green shoots sprouting.

Posted: April 23, 2008, 11:48 am
by: Slothers

I hiked this trail about a week ago and it's looking very nice. My only concern would be the empty shotgun shell I saw and the gun shots I heard on the other side of the mountain. But I figure there is probably a shooting range nearby. The shots sounded very close however.

Make sure to bring at least a half gallon of water, it's a strenuous trail and you don't want to be dehydrated. I'd also be aware of ticks, I went on the hike 3 times in the past two weeks and had to pull them off each time. Lastly I'm pretty sure there is a bear and a few mountain lions up there.

I didn't see them but I saw their prints.

Oh... and watch out for poison oak.

Posted: May 4, 2007, 6:46 pm
by: Rattler

Hiked AB two days ago. Amazing! Stunning view. The description I found to be helpful up to the last part where it leads you to believe you have on .25 miles to get to E. Camino Cielo Rd. It is more like 1.25 and feels like at least 2! Wildflowers out in force. Get up there.

This was my first major hike for a long time. It took us 7 hrs. I was practically comatose by the time we were 6 hrs out and only a couples miles to get back. Developing tunnel vision (ie eyes looking up about 4-6 ft ahead) and walking fast down a slight decline, I suddenly became aware that I was directly in line to hit a - what is it? !!! it's a rattlesnake right smack in the middle of the trail!! At the same time I saw it, it saw me and writhed in a most hypnotic, frenetic fashion, just as it turned on the max volume of it's rattle. Needless to say I was startled and reared back when I could check my speed. It was like it was in slow motion. The sound was so loud. The sun was blazing down at 3:00pm and the rattler just stood it's ground and continued to sound that rattle about 30-40 seconds longer after I backed away. The snake is apparently a Souther Pacific Rattler. It was black with diamonds and had a white 3 in. rattle which it held high out in front.

What an experience!! It pays to keep alert. These last few days I've been reliving this experience in my mind. It is certainly one of the most intense experiences I've had.

Great trail!!!

Posted: March 9, 2007, 5:06 pm
by: SkipSmith

The person who said the trail is closed because it crosses private property is wrong. It used to be closed to the public, but an easement was negotiated a while back. See for example:

http://www.lpforest.org/trails/arroyo_burro_trail/

Posted: November 19, 2006, 8:21 pm
by: quickstep

I did Arroyo Burro Trail today - really hot for late November (81F). I read all these discussions about legal issues with this trail ... As far as the lower part all the way down into San Antonio Canyon (after ~5mi) is concerned it seems to be perfectly alright. There are parts where you have to cross private property but there are signs indicating that the trail is a public way. There is even a sign posting the agreement between San Roque Ranch and the county. I guess it is now hikers responsibility to treat the private land with respect and stay on the trail. Down in San Antonio Canyon I saw only a "No Trespassing" sign on the way back from the ridge, so cannot comment on that.

In general this hike is rather strenuous and not that impressive I have to say. I certainly prefer all the canyons over to Montecito or Mission/Rattlesnake Canyon. Arroyo Burro Trail just involves too much hiking on dirt and paved roads but the later 3mi are not too bad. And on a clear day - like I had today - you can catch great views to the Islands.

http://www.chem.ucsb.edu/~hnahler/hiking

Posted: March 12, 2006, 11:26 am
by: Diane

If you can't use this trail without tresspassing the owners sure do go out of their way to guide you through with plenty of signs.

Posted: March 12, 2006, 6:12 am
by: Anonymous

The information about this trail is wrong. First of all this trail is not a through trail. There was a court case involving this trail in the 1980s in which the public represented by the County LOST the right to use the trail past the first half mile. You can not use this trail without TRESSPASSING. Second the owner had every right to pave his driveway, the public never owned the trail they merely had permission to walk accross someone's private land.

Posted: September 6, 2005, 7:15 pm
by: Diane

Yes, this trail has moved a few times since the topo was created. It is marked, however, so you should be able to find the way despite the map.

Posted: September 4, 2005, 9:04 pm
by: Anonymous

I was looking at the map provided for the Arroyo Burro trail and noted that the Jesusita trail (using the Cater treatment plant trailhead) is the original trail. This portion of the trail was moved years ago. The original route will tend to take you thru someone's back yard.

Posted: April 4, 2005, 6:50 pm
by: Jeff

Yes, it's extremely beautiful up there right now (April 3), though wear long pants unless you really, really like ticks (oh, and poison oak, too).

Posted: March 25, 2005, 10:32 pm
by: Anonymous

Oh, joy. I just found this trail report area.

As I posted in General, Arroyo Burro was gorgeous last Sunday (March 20). Waterfalls, wildflowers (blue dicks, indian paintbrush, indian pinks, lupin--what's with the lupin this year?--the first peonies, shooting stars, mariposa lilies, milk maids...and the list goes on) and no other hikers!

It takes a little extra effort to get there, but it sure is worth it...

Posted: March 23, 2005, 8:12 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.