McMenemy Trail Xerox Mountaineering & Backpacking Club ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Santa Ynez Mountains Saturday, 7 March 1992 Brief: An easy-moderate semi-loop dayhike in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains NE of Santa Barbara. Round trip distance is 6.2 miles with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet starting at 500 feet. When: Saturday, March 7. Meet at the trailhead at 9:30 a.m. Driving time from El Segundo is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Description: The trail starts gradually up San Ysidro Canyon and in about half a mile turns to cross San Ysidro Creek, an easy crossing and the only one on this trip. After about a quarter of a mile the trail starts steeply uphill on a series of switchbacks. At the top of the ridge there is a hitching post and a stone bench dedicated to Colonel McMenemy who deeded the land for the trail. For about the next mile the trail cuts through chaparral with heavy growth of laurel sumac, manzanita, ceanothus, chamise, and black sage. This part of the trail is fairly level with some moderate changes in elevation. The most challenging part of this hike comes at the junction with the Saddle Rock Trail. Here we will head up the steep, but short, trail to Saddle Rock Bluff, the highest elevation of the hike. From this point there are excellent views of the ocean and the Channel Islands. The trail then begins a gradual decent for about a mile into Hot Springs Canyon and the ruins of the Hot Springs Club, where we will stop for lunch. Many introduced plants from the time the resort was in operation are still growing, including fig, banana, and avocado trees, huge agaves and blooming ground cover. There are several pools here formed by the hot springs - in varying conditions. We will have time to explore around the ruins before we head back down. For the return trip we will follow the trail down Hot Springs Canyon then rejoin the McMenemy Trail to San Ysidro Canyon and back to the trailhead. Topo Maps: Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, 7.5 minute series USGS (most of the trail is not on the map). Bring: Ten essentials, lunch, camera, a towel. Tennis shoes should be okay, but sturdier footwear is recommended. Weather: Expect mild weather, it may get chilly. Inclement weather will cancel. Directions: Take northbound Highway 101 to the San Ysidro exit (just past Summerland). Turn right on San Ysidro Road and go 1.1 mile to East Valley Road (State Highway 192). Turn right on East Valley Rd. and go 0.9 mile to Park Lane (just after crossing San Ysidro Creek). Turn left and go 0.4 mile to East Mountain Dr. Bear left at the fork onto East Mountain Dr. and continue to the end of the pavement. Park wherever space is available. Do not park near the horse stables or on the San Ysidro Ranch property. The trailhead is marked by a sign on the east side of the road. Background: The hot springs were "discovered" in the 1850s by Wilbur Curtiss who came to Santa Barbara suffering from an incurable disease and given only six months to live. After repeated visits to the springs, his health began remarkably to improve. Six years later, still alive and doing well, Wilbur Curtiss filed a homestead claim for this part of Hot Springs Canyon. The site slowly evolved as a resort - from a camping spot to a tent camp and eventually to a cottage. By 1877 there was a large plunge, showers, and three bath houses with large tubs, enough in all to handle forty persons. In the early 1880s a three story hotel was completed on a bench above the springs. Anyone with a bank account of less than seven digits was not considered substantial enough to apply for membership to this private club. The hotel was destroyed by a forest fire in 1920 and rebuilt in 1923. The hotel was again destroyed by the Coyote Fire of 1964. Today, most of the hot sulphur spring water is piped out by the Montecito Water Company. Leader: Randy Ortland, work: 805/962-6332, home: 805/9666-9422, E-mail: 71620.2666@compuserve.com. Please contact the leader if you plan to come so you may be kept informed of any last minute changes.