Santa Barbara Nine Trails

Big climbs. Big views. Technical trails. Great people. The Santa Barbara Nine Trails 35 Mile Endurance Run is a challenging problem for trail runners of every ability level. The trails are steep, rocky, inaccessible and long. There is more than ten thousand vertical feet of gain and descent packed into the relatively short 35 miles. Experienced runners will tell you that Nine-Trails runs like a tough 50 miler. Athletes attempting this course should be prepared for long, slow sections with no support. Santa Barbara Nine Trails is the Jesusita Trailhead to Romero Canyon Trailhead and back. This 35 mile endurance run will cover most of the Santa Barbara front country trail system. Starting at the Jesuita Trailhead the course climbs approximately four mies to Inspiration Point. From here the course descends a couple miles to the Tunnel Trail. Climb the rocky Tunnel Trail to the junction of Rattle Snake Trail. Follow Rattle Snake to Gibraltar Road. Run a mile or so down Gibraltar Road to the West Cold Spring Trailhead. Follow the long, steep downhill of the West Cold Spring Trail to the bottom of the canyon. Cross the creek, turn left and climb the east side of the Cold Spring Trail to the junction of the Hot Spring Connector, approximately mile twelve. Run to the bottom of the canyon and cross San Ysidro Creek to the very steep, Edison Catwalk. Locals call this section "the wall". Continue along the steep, hot and dusty Catwalk Road to the Buena Vista Trail. Follow the Buena Vista Trail along the creek to the bottom of Romero Canyon. Cross the creek and work your way to the Romero Canyon Trailhead. Turn around and re-trace your steps all of the way back to Jesusita. This little course is beautiful and shockingly difficult. Enjoy!