Inspiration Point

This version of the hike starts at Tunnel Trail. There is another way to get here, starting at Jesusita Trail.

Beware of kamikaze mountain bikers on this trail.

This hike is a relatively moderate hike, especially if you are in good condition. One thing to consider with hiking in Santa Barbara is that the area is not flat. It's all mountains! So an easy hike is one where parts of the hike at least aren't too difficult for the average person, and usually that part is at the beginning so that if it does get too hard you can turn around.

The trail begins on a paved access road that the Edison Company uses. This road is a popular exercise spot for many active Santa Barbarans. You can see people getting their morning and evening workouts running, biking, walking the dog, and taking the kids for a walk year round. The road is about a mile long, which is perfect for a quick workout. The trail begins near the end of the pavement and is wide and maintained. The trail climbs through shady chaparral to a small summit which is another Edison access road, dirt this time. The summit is indistinct, except for the fact that when you reach it you have a beautiful view of the city, the ocean and the Channel Islands. This view makes this a popular sunset hike.

The hike is about 3.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 800 ft.

Jesusita and Inspiration Point Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: August 23, 2009, 5:02 pm
by: pope

We hiked up Jesusita from Stevens Park on Saturday morning to Inspiration Point. I had recently been re-reading Ray Ford's book when I realized all the times we thought we were at Inspiration Point might have been wrong. We used to end on the little 100 yard side trail just to the West of where Jesusita and the power line road meet coming up from the Tunnel direction. If that makes sense. This area used to have a rock to perch on, but I no longer see it there. Did the big rock roll down this hill during the fire?

However we pushed past this area and found, finally after 15 years of hiking up here, perhaps the correct Inspiration Point further to the East. This has a geocache that although melted did survive the fire. Also has the rock initial noted in Ford's book. A much different Inspiration Point than the fake one we'd been going to all this time. Very nice to cruise around cross country up there, found a rock foundation of some sort of structure from sometime ago.

We then headed down Jesusita Trail to Tunnel Road, walked all the way down Tunnel to Foothill, and walked back to Stevens Park. I was looking for the side trail to Arlington South but couldn't find it. Also still looking for the "steps" to Fern Falls Ford mentions.

Posted: August 16, 2009, 2:24 pm
by: Rokrover

We never really liked the primitive connector from the Jesusita Trail up the south side of Arlington Peak. It was hard to follow at a crouch through tunnels of overhanging brush that never saw enough traffic to get cleared back. We reasoned the Jesusita fire should have transformed it into a pleasant outing with even better views now the brush had gone. Wrong! Tunnels through the brush actually helped delineate the trail and now most leaves had been stripped it was difficult to find the old tread, such as it was. I remembered enough landmark rocks to find the way but post-fire conditions were worse with lots of clawing, blackened branches in the way. We came across a set of footprints that faded after the trail vanished again. I scouted ahead from a convenient pinnacle and recognized an oak grove where we once became very disoriented. A dry creek bed led up and through the grove past some familiar rocks I knew had to be right next to the old trail. Now there was nothing other than a dreadful tangle of brush as the fire had not stripped this section to the ground. Our enthusiasm waned so time to bail below the landmark big slab. We passed some interesting rock fingers before rejoining the Jesusita Trail near the fire origin. At least on the way out we had time to inspect the curious PacMan rock. http://picasaweb.google.com/rokrover/JesusitaArlingtonConnector#

Posted: July 12, 2009, 8:13 pm
by: GerryC

The lower portion of the Jesusita, from the Cater Water Treatment plant to the hiker's stop, just beyond the Moreno Ranch junction is undamaged. Much of the trail route next to the creek was almost untouched. The side away from the creek is burned extensively, but the lack of steep slopes next to the trail has resulted in no soil sliding down onto the trail.

The only detour is a 40 ft section, before reaching the road junction, which was detoured because of a pile of cut downed trees. I'm guessing this short detour may become permanent.

Posted: May 12, 2009, 4:15 pm
by: waterboy174

i have. it is amazing. i dont know tho now that the fire has wiped out this whole area. night hikes to the point are the best thing ever. get a group and just hacharge it. someday ill be hiking 3 pools and beyond at night.

Posted: April 24, 2009, 1:58 pm
by: angelgrl

Greetings friends,

I'm interested in doing an overnight up top Inspiration Point. Anyone done here done that? Any suggestions?

Angelgrl

Posted: September 25, 2008, 11:51 am
by: BillV

Sounds like fun but with a dog that bounds off into the underbrush at the first hint of an animal, it would probably be suicidal for both of us at night.

Seems to me that extra flashlights are also in order.

I've recently seen a fair number of what I think are called alligator lizards on the various trails. Is late summer their time to appear?

Posted: September 23, 2008, 3:01 pm
by: waterboy174

i highly reccomend hiking this trail at night.
one of the best experiences ever.
but make sure you have atleast 3 people or else it gonna be quite scary.

Posted: June 18, 2008, 10:53 am
by: BillV

As you come out of the chaparral you reach an Edison access road. The usual summit is reached by going straight across the road and proceeding another 100 ft. or so. However there's another hidden summit that is reached by going east on the access road about 100-200 ft. towards the power line tower. Look for a trail that goes off to the right. It's distinct but very winding and you'll have to duck down at times to clear the growth. You're there when you reach several large rocks to climb up onto. Graffiti indicates that others have been there before.

Posted: October 5, 2007, 9:22 pm
by: BillV

The text in the description "It gets a little confusing right away as you come around a curve" isn't as clear as it could be. It's more like "as you reach an open meadow". The narrower path to the left looked like a side trail so I went ahead on the wider path that gradually becomes a road. This was a mistake. The trail goes to the left and runs between the creek and the meadow.

The trail was in generally good condition. I was impressed with the picnic table (which isn't submerged any more) and the drinking fountain but I'm unimpressed with people who think it's enough to bag the poop and leave it next to the trail. I've also seen this on other trails. I hike with a dog and it's a minor inconvenience to carry the bag out.

Posted: August 13, 2007, 9:52 am
by: jkercher

Zaca Fire Update *Tunnel Trail Closed as of 8/11/07*

Be Advised - The county announced the closure of tunnel trail in this news release dated Saturday, 8/11:

http://countyofsb.org/documents/07_08_11ZacaUpdate200pm.pdf

Posted: June 25, 2007, 6:14 pm
by: dylyluv

Not exactly challenging for experienced hikers, it's easy accessibility for Santa Barbarans (particularly downtown dwellers) makes this a popular, though not crowded hike. Dog owners are generally very responsible, though at times I'll see deposits along the Edison paved road. Generally a very clean trail.

Dramatic examples of root wedging along near-vertical stratified siltstone and sandstone exist along the paved section as well, and few striking, huge, aloe-looking plants along the ridge on the way to the trail section of the hike.

Lots of canopy cover at the beginning of the trail, so I suspect this is a safe hike even if the temperature hits 90 degrees F.

Occasional snakes populate the top third of the trail, but I haven't seen anything dangerous. Lots of cute lizards.

I haven't seen mountain bike treads along the path for a while.

---

Posted: January 1, 2007, 9:09 am
by: gogirlzz

Beautiful,slightly hazy, cool day(46 degrees at 8am) with no breeze,near perfect conditions. Jesusita Trail to Inspiration Point was busy but not crowded. Saw a lot of well behaved dogs, and people were courteous and cheerful.Trail was cleared and well maintained, with a new switchback cut into the hill to replace the older eroded trail. It made the climb a lot smoother.Creek crossings were comfortable, with enough water to make the woods sparkle.Fun to crunch though the golden sycamore leaves blanketing the trail creekside. Saw a hillside of cape ivy (I think) blooming and some chapparal nightshade, I'm trying to learn the flowers so be patient. Also a suprise on the path was a baby gopher snake.Breeze came up as we left around 1pm. Commendation to the responsible dog owners who keep the trail nice and clean.

Posted: April 24, 2006, 1:01 pm
by: jbaysurfer

This trail is still passable, but try to wait 3+ days after a rain, otherwise it can be treacherous. Lot's of rain = lots of growth= beautiful foliage and lots of poison oak! This trail is notorious for Poison oak anyway, so this year will be itchy! In a couple of spots it's growing right across the trail. If you don't know what to look for, check the photos linked from this site. Keep 'em clean, pack out what you bring in (and maybe some other trash you find along the way).

Posted: June 7, 2005, 9:00 pm
by: Anonymous

Just wondering if anyone knows if there are any upcoming plans to work on the lower section of this trail. It's getting REALLY overgrown with thistle! Would love to be involved in helping to clear it, as my dogs and I hike it nearly every day.

Posted: April 25, 2005, 4:09 pm
by: Anonymous

There are a couple places where the trail has slipped down the hill leaving a narrow passage - still totally manageable. Near the top there are spots where the trail is a little overgrown - both high and low - but not too bad. I like this trail because there's tons of shade.

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:15 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.