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| | This trail is gone without a trace, and is only visible on topographic maps dating from before the 1970s. Even on high-resolution aerial photography, you can find no evidence that there was ever a trail here, except in the lowest portion, which is on private land, completely and irretrievably closed to entry. The chaparral in this vicinity is old, hard, and impenetrable to anything larger than a rabbit. I hiked the lower portion last in 1974, and it was overgrown then; I had to trespass to get there. Says David
(?)The trail actually no longer |
exists.(?) Says Bruce
Outdoors folks generally like this part of California. Here in California trekking is an outstanding idea. Backpacking and hiking trails for trekking, and backpacking can be found all over California; one of them being Gato Trail in Santa Barbara County.
| | Being 6.6 miles long it's a mid length backcountry trek. There are not too many trails in this neighborhood. This vicinity does get very dry sometimes, so do check for current fire restrictions before you go if you plan to bring a stove or make a camp fire. The total elevation difference for Gato Trail is 3,037 feet, and that is higher than average. At Gato Trail during the summer months highs are in the 80's. Through the moonlight hours it's ordinarily in the 50's. The wintertime brings highs down to the 60's, and overnight lows in the 30's for Gato | |
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Trail. And keep in mind that there could be temporary safety restrictions in location. Hitting the backcountry trails is always a fun thing to do, and Gato Trail in Santa Barbara County, California is such an excellent place. A long tour parts Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta from
Gato Trail, but backcountry trails like these are great. This is a long great outdoors hiking trail, so make sure you bring plenty of supplies. These hiking and backpacking trails here in the Santa Ynez Mountains are a really tremendous way to spend quality time in the wilderness.
Different parts of Gato Trail are at very different elevations which of course means you need to be prepared for different conditions on different parts of the backpacking and hiking trail. Gato Trail has only one trailhead, so you're looking at an in and out trek. The time needed
for this hike is roughly 5.5 hours, but of course some people walk a bit slower and some a bit faster. Each one of the many backcountry hiking trails of California has its own unique beauty. Gato Trail is a normal length hiking and backpacking trail having an average number of
uphill miles which makes this trail good for hard core backpackers looking for adventure. Gato Trail is ordinarily a relatively dehydrated location; the month with most of the rain is February; July on the other hand is the driest.
Briefly about the general area:
Gato
Trail is a place with many visitors from Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, and Las Llagas Canyon is also a tremendous site to discover. All year is a tremendous time in the Santa Ynez Mountains if you fancy the outdoors. You should without doubt pop by lovely El Capitan Beach since
you're here at Gato Trail, and Gato Trail is a wonderful location to visit for more than one day, Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is a wonderful location to camp nearby.
Looking for a fine tour? Channel Islands National Park is pretty next to Gato Trail. You'll need more than a day to look at everything Gato Trail has to offer, you can camp at El Capitan Ranch Park Campground.
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Location of Trailhead: Latitude 34.5236, Longitude -119.9611
- - Directions and Road Map
Total in and out hiking length = 6.6 miles
Total climbing distance = 2.6 miles
Difficulty : Difficult
Casual Hiking Pace:
5.5 hours
Fast Hiking Pace:
3.5 hours
Total elevation difference: 3037 feet
El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbara
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5 miles away
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains lies El Capitan Ranch, an incredible beach side canyon resort located 15 minutes North of downtown Santa Barbara. Built in 2001, El Capit...
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Bacara Resort Spa, Santa Barbara
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6 miles away
On the bluffs and beaches of the central California coast lies a resort of stunning natural beauty and relaxed luxury. Like an intimate Mediterranean village; Bacara sprawls over 78 pristine beachfron...
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User input for Gato Trail, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara County, California:
Outdoors Recreation Near Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, California
Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, California, the metro area neareast to Gato Trail. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.
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Current weather conditions at Gato Trail, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara County, California
Local climate location: TWITCHELL DAM 16 miles away
     
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Super 8 Santa Barbara/Goleta, Goleta
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10 miles away
65 air conditioned rooms w/cable TV, HBO, ESPN Complimentary SuperStart Breakfast Free High Speed Internet Large, heated outdoor swimming pool Located across the street from an executive 9 hole golf c...
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Santa Ynez Inn, Santa Ynez
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10 miles away
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County wine country, our wine country getaway awaits in individually decorated rooms and junior suites. Accommodations feature unique antiques, luxury linens, gas...
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More Hotels and Campgrounds Near Gato Trail, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara County, California
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| These outdoors activities are available near Gato Trail. |
| | Trails Near Gato Trail:
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Rattlesnake Trail, Santa Barbara
County
, 8 miles away, 1.6 hiking miles, 207 feet elevation difference |
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Ranger Peak Trail, Santa Barbara
County
, 11 miles away, 3.8 hiking miles, 2190 feet elevation difference |
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Santa Cruz Trail, Santa Barbara
County
, 15 miles away, 9.9 hiking miles, 2660 feet elevation difference |
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| | Hotels Near Gato Trail:
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El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbara
, 5 miles away |
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Bacara Resort Spa, Santa Barbara
, 6 miles away |
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Super 8 Santa Barbara/Goleta, Goleta
, 10 miles away |
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Santa Ynez Inn, Santa Ynez
, 10 miles away |
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Holiday Inn SANTA BARBARA-GOLETA, Santa Barbara
, 10 miles away |
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