21–23 June 2024
Route: Goleta – San Marcos pass – Santa Ynez river – Los Padres national forest – Camuesa creek – Cold Spring saddle – Goleta, ~130 km
A culmination of several cycling trips during a month-long stay at University of California–Santa Barbara.
The Santa Cruz trail ascending from the Santa Ynez valley to the Little Pine mountain was barely passable even walking the bike! in some places, landslides crumbled away parts of the trail, and in others, one has to squeeze through dense and spiky shrubs (chaparral).
Once up on the ridge, there is a decent road going north all the way across the mountain ranges. I planned to get to Big Pine mountain, but the weather was too hot (above 30o) and water scarce, so turned back halfway.
The Camuesa creek valley is very lovely, with lots of canyon-like features made of limestone.
Camping at the Little Caliente hot spring was an absolute highlight; nobody out there, could soak in the hot tub under starry skies..
Next morning brought a nasty surprise – flat tyre, and I don't have any repair kit. Have to walk it back across the mountains.. There is a road (Camino Cielo) on top of the ridge, and after waiting for almost an hour, another biker helped me to pump the tyre just enough to last until the end of the journey.
The downhill cycle trail from that point (Cold Spring saddle) was quite fun!