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Inspiration point5/30/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() There are also views to the northeast up Mission Canyon toward the tops of the Santa Ynez Mountains and a jumbled cluster of sandstone called the Rock Garden. Look up the coast to the west or down the coast to the east toward Ventura. Take this path out to a clusters of sandstone boulders that you can sit down on or stand up on and enjoy sweeping views over Santa Barbara. At the bottom of a shallow dip, a hard-to-spot path breaks off to the right and heads out to the crown at the end of the ridge. To get to Historic Inspiration Point, head back to the junction at the top of Jesusuta Trail and go east along the road for just 150 feet. If you need extra inspiration, you can take a path to Historic Inspiration Point, which offers expanded views to the southeast along with privacy that can be fleeting at Inspiration Point. This worn path goes past several charred trees in an area recovering from the 2009 Jesusita Fire. Inspiration Point is only about halfway up the mountain range in terms of elevation, so tall sandstone summits like Arlington Peak, Cathedral Peak, and the Mission Crags jut skyward high above Inspiration Point to the north.įor additional views, trek down a footpath to a bluff a tenth of a mile (and 75 feet) below Inspiration Point. ![]() Inspiration Point also looks west down miles and miles of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the dramatic backdrop behind Santa Barbara. Inspiration Point provides a clear view over the coast of Santa Barbara and across the Pacific Ocean toward the Channel Islands. To reach Inspiration Point, turn right at the junction and walk a hundred feet out to a worn dirt landing where the memorable vista awaits. A path off this road can be used to reach Historic Inspiration Point (described below). Straight ahead, the wide dirt road heads down into the canyon and dead ends by electrical towers. The trail to the left is the other end of Jesusita Trail, which descends into Mission Canyon and can be used for the shorter hike to Inspiration Point. The trail to the right leads to Inspiration Point. Just as the road starts to level and turn downhill, after 3.75 miles of hiking, come to an important unmarked junction. The road climbs a rise on the mountainside through two long curves shaped like a backward S. Sharp sandstone peaks rise above the trail, adding a new sense of rugged grandeur. When the single track meets a dirt service road, 3.25 miles from the start, turn left and continue east up the road beneath a row of power lines. The crescent-shaped trail bends east, climbing higher into the Santa Ynez Mountains to deliver expanding views of the Pacific. Another 500 feet of elevation are gained over the next 1.25 miles of lovely trail leading up to Inspiration Point. The ocean views begin, 2.5 miles from the start. The trail climbs out of the oaks and sycamores and begins up a sunny mountainside covered in manzanitas, chamise, and other chaparral. Hike along the creek for another 0.9 miles to the back of the canyon. The trail leaves the ranch road and resumes its original nature as a single track bordering a fork of San Roque Creek. On the far bank of the creek, follow the sign and turn left up Jesusita Trail. Turn right and descend back toward the creek. Walk toward a green barn to reach a split in the dirt road. The trail passes through the ranch gate by a canopied picnic table and a drinking fountain. Walk 0.05 miles up the road to a bend and turn right up a bit more pavement to a gate at the entrance of Moreno Ranch, which grants access to hikers on Jesusita Trail. After three creek crossings, the trail merges with the paved road. Jesusita Trail returns to the creek and runs parallel with a paved private drive. Stick with the worn path on the left to stay on course. The trail appears to split when you reach the field. Leave the oak woodland and cross a field with broad views of the mountain range ahead, including the rocky face of Cathedral Peak. After 3/4 of a mile, turn right at a marked junction with Arroyo Borro Trail. Oaks arch over Jesusita TrailĮnjoy intermittent shade over the first 2.5 miles of Jesusita Trail as it follows the riparian banks of San Roque Creek. Despite these changes in character, Jesusita Trail is well marked until the final spur to the overlook at Inspiration Point, when the fantastic views will draw you to the finish. It starts as a dirt single-track, briefly overlaps a paved road, transitions to a wide dirt road, back to a narrow single track and back to a dirt road again. Jesusita Trail takes many forms on its way to Inspiration Point. Cater Filtration Plant and begin hiking down into the San Roque Canyon. Find the trailhead next to the William B. Jesusita Trail starts from San Roque Road just above Foothill Boulevard west of downtown Santa Barbara.
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