| |
|
| | 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
You'll must go far from Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta to get to Gato Trail, but it is an enjoyable location to walk. A visit to California is not complete without some backcountry hiking. There are many splendid backcountry hiking trails in California,
| | and Gato Trail in Santa Barbara County is one of them. 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 wilderness hiking trail. Every single California backcountry hiking trail has something unique to offer. Gato Trail has a total elevation difference of 3,037 feet which is a higher than average number. All through the warmest time of the year here at Gato Trail, high temperatures mostly reach the 80's while nighttime lows are commonly in the 50's. | |
|
Highs all through the wintertime are commonly in the 60's with temperatures at Gato Trail dipping down into the 30's all through winter nights. Now this hiking and backpacking trail is pretty long, so don't forget to pack enough supplies. This hiking and backpacking trail sometimes
gets very dry, so make sure you check current conditions and fire restrictions with local forest authorities before you head out. There are not too many backpacking trails in this vicinity. These great outdoors trails here in the Santa Ynez Mountains are a very magnificent way
to see these highlands. This great outdoors trail is a mid length great outdoors trail having an average number of uphill miles which makes this a very tough backpacking trail for advanced backcountry hikers looking for a great challenge. You should count on this walk taking about
5.5 hours, but you never know stuff could go wrong and you could get stuck so be prepared for that. Please follow all local rules about fires and camping. Gato Trail gets very little rain; all through February this area sees the most rain, and the driest of the months is July.
This trail has only one trailhead, so in and out is the way to walk it normally. When was the last time you got out in the outdoors a bit? Gato Trail in Santa Barbara County, California is such an excellent location. Gato Trail is 6.6 miles long it's a mid length trek. When you're
here in California backpacking along one of its backcountry hiking trails is something that is always fun to do.
Briefly about the general area:
Las Llagas Canyon is a tremendous place to spend some time at, and at Gato Trail you always meet someone from Santa Barbara-Santa
Maria-Goleta. Life's too short to enjoy all the amusing stuff in the Santa Ynez Mountains. Camping is available at El Capitan Ranch Park Campground, and if time allows, Channel Islands National Park is a national park worth taking a look at.
A pleasant spot to camp here at Gato Trail is Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, and El Capitan Beach is quite close by if you're in a beach type of mood.
|
|
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
|
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...
|
| |
Bacara Resort Spa, Santa Barbara
|
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...
|
|
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.
|
Current weather conditions at Gato Trail, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara County, California
Local climate location: TWITCHELL DAM 16 miles away
     
| |
Super 8 Santa Barbara/Goleta, Goleta
|
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...
|
Santa Ynez Inn, Santa Ynez
|
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...
|
|
More Hotels and Campgrounds Near Gato Trail, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara County, California
| |
|
| These outdoors activities are available near Gato Trail. |
| | Trails Near Gato Trail:
 |
Rattlesnake Trail, Santa Barbara
County
, 8 miles away, 1.6 hiking miles, 207 feet elevation difference |
|
Ranger Peak Trail, Santa Barbara
County
, 11 miles away, 3.8 hiking miles, 2190 feet elevation difference |
|
Santa Cruz Trail, Santa Barbara
County
, 15 miles away, 9.9 hiking miles, 2660 feet elevation difference |
|
| | Hotels Near Gato Trail:
 |
El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbara
, 5 miles away |
|
Bacara Resort Spa, Santa Barbara
, 6 miles away |
|
Super 8 Santa Barbara/Goleta, Goleta
, 10 miles away |
|
Santa Ynez Inn, Santa Ynez
, 10 miles away |
|
Holiday Inn SANTA BARBARA-GOLETA, Santa Barbara
, 10 miles away |
|
|
|
 |
|
