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A challenging run that offers fantastic views of the ocean and surrounding mountains.


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Map Key

6.7

Miles

10.7

KM

71%

Runnable

2,412' 735 m

High

320' 97 m

Low

2,143' 653 m

Up

2,143' 653 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

42%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Cave · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This run features over 2000 feet of elevation gain across a state park and a national forest. It has great views and small wind caves.

Need to Know

It costs $2 per vehicle to park at the trailhead. There is not much shade either, so be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water.

Runner Notes

Trespass Trail has some rocky and washed out sections.

Description

From the trailhead, you start out on Gaviota Peak Fire Road for just a 1/4 mile before taking a right turn on to Trespass Trail. From here there are some doubletrack sections intermittently dispersed for the first 1.5 miles, but it's mostly singletrack for this relatively flat section. Here, there are some great views of the valley and the tunnel on Hwy 101 below.

Around mile 2.0 the grade starts to increase as the trail narrows. This is also where the ocean starts to come into view. Around mile 2.5 there are some washed out sections that require some careful navigation near the cool wind caves.

Eventually, you'll reach the top of Gaviota Mountain. At 2,458 feet, this peak has a great view of the Pacific Ocean. From there, head down a rocky section before reaching the Gaviota Peak Fire Road where you'll take a left and continue your descent the mountain.

Almost the entirety of the Gaviota Peak Fire Road is doubletrack, and very straightforward. There are plenty of spots along the way with great views of mountains. Eventually, the trail intersects with the Gaviota Hot Springs trail at 6.2 miles. This is not a part of this run, but it proves a good side bar if you want to make the quick jaunt to soak your feet.

From here, continue on the doubletrack to the trailhead parking lot.

Contacts

Shared By:

Luke Brisk with improvements by Jason Fields

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 9 votes

#2604

Overall
  4.3 from 9 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
44%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#344

in California

#2,604

Overall
20 Views Last Month
6,112 Since Jul 21, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
27%
0%
73%
0%

Photos

A view of the ocean from the top of the Gaviota Peak Fire Road
Jul 21, 2015 near Buellton, CA
View of the  Pacific Ocean from the top of Gaviota Mountain
Jul 21, 2015 near Buellton, CA
Small Wind caves off the Trespass Trail.
Jul 21, 2015 near Buellton, CA
Survey Mark on top of Gaviota Peak
Sep 25, 2020 near Buellton, CA
Views from the Trespass trail of the 101 and the ocean under the fog
Sep 25, 2020 near Buellton, CA
A view of the valley from a high vantage point on the Gaviota Peak Fire Raod
Jul 21, 2015 near Buellton, CA

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