McMenemy/Saddlerock/Girard Loop

This is a lovely hike in the lower parts of the mountains above Montecito. It's a very well-maintained trail, suitable for horses (hitching posts along the way.)

The hike is a loop, or more like a figure 9, that starts at the San Ysidro trailhead, branches off to the McMenemy trail, then forks over to the Saddlerock trail, the returns down the Girard trail back to McMenemy.

There are nice view spots along the way. You can choose to make your summit at the junction with the Girard trail for a 3 mile hike, or at Saddlerock for a 5.5 mile hike.

(P.S. I dare you to say McMenemy 5 times really fast.)

McMenemy Trail Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: March 3, 2009, 1:25 pm
by: jjcavins

Hiked this trail sunday, starting from the trailhead on east mountain and riven rock road. 3 different groups asked me if this was the trail to Cold Spring/Tangerine Falls. I think they all ended up going back on the dirt service road behind "saddle rock" and the power-lines down to the left (west) to the hot spring, thinking tangerine falls would be down there. Trail was in great condition. This is trail is fun to climb a couple rocks and enjoy the amazing views. All places are easily passable for dogs.

Remember the service road to the hot spring is on private property...

Posted: March 6, 2008, 11:58 am
by: JMader2008

Hiked the trail on Monday and conditions were great. There are a lot of flowers in bloom and the views from the bench dedicated to Colonel McMenemy were astounding.

Posted: September 1, 2006, 9:47 am
by: jemstarr

Hiked it yesterday afternoon and was amazed at the beauty and diversity of the mini-ecosystems along the trails--eucalyptus forest, arid sections, wet little canyons . Keeps a hiker continually inspired. The trail is in good shape and the various trails are well demarcated.

Posted: March 10, 2006, 1:22 pm
by: Anonymous

Just did McMenemy to Hot Springs up to Cold Springs and back down San Ysidro. Trails are in great shape. Even ran into Ray Ford doing some brush clearing on McMenemy.

Posted: January 12, 2006, 3:07 pm
by: Jeff

Paxil aside (Paxil?), the trail is in great condition. A fair amount of trail work has been done and the new lookout on Girard seems finished.

---

Posted: August 30, 2005, 12:07 pm
by: Diane

I was there recently. It seemed ok before the stream crossing. After the crossing there is a downed tree, so I imagine any poor trail conditions you have seen are probably leftover from the rains this spring.

Posted: August 27, 2005, 9:19 am
by: Anonymous

Does anyone know what's going on with the McMenemy Trail... it's been obliterated before it gets to crossing the stream...

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:16 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.