Romero Catway -
Overview
Difficulty: Moderate •
Mileage: 4
Elevation Gain: 2175 ft. • Location: Front Country, Santa Barbara
Features: Canyons, Creeks, Viewpoint, Out & Back, Loop Trip
User Type: Hiking, Equestrian Trail, Mountain Biking, Dog Walking, Trail Running
Elevation Gain: 2175 ft. • Location: Front Country, Santa Barbara
Features: Canyons, Creeks, Viewpoint, Out & Back, Loop Trip
User Type: Hiking, Equestrian Trail, Mountain Biking, Dog Walking, Trail Running
Highlights
For hikers who would like to experience the feeling of a walk along the upper edges of Montecito, where you can look down on the coastline from a lofty perch nearly 1200’ in elevation above the valley floor, the route up to the Buena Vista lookout provides just such an experience. The power line road is wide, easy to walk on, and the views are spectacular. It is possible to reach the Buena Vista Trail or hike all the way to San Ysidro Canyon on the power line road.
The Basics
- Length : .4 miles to power line intersection and start of Buena Vista Trail; 1.25 miles to top of power lines; 1.2 miles to first bench; 2 miles to 2nd Buena Vista overlook.
- Gain : 700’ to top of power line road; 100’ elevation loss to the Buena Vista overlook
- Difficulty : Moderate with one very steep section of catway.
- Path : Old road, dozed several times during recent wildfires and is now re-growing in.
- Season : All season.
- Restrictions : Multi-use; you may encounter bikes.
- Canine : OK for dogs off-leash. Be wary of the bikes coming downhill fast on the steep section.
- Points of Interest : Canyons,Creeks,Viewpoint,Out & Back,Loop Trip
Marker GroupsTrail Facts
Difficulty: Moderate
Points of Interests: Canyons, Creeks, Viewpoint, Out & Back, Loop Trip
User Types: Hikers, Equestrians, Mountain Bikers, Dog Walker, Trail Runners
Locations: Front Country, Santa Barbara
Sub Regions: Romero Canyon
Get Directions To The Romero Catway Trailhead
Driving Directions
Get Directions to Romero Catway which is located at 34.46325877334401,-119.5876221649814.
Print Directions
Access / Getting There
- From Highway 101 take the Sheffield Drive exit.
- Follow it 1.5 miles to East Valley Road.
- Turn left, then almost immediately to the right on Romero Canyon Road.
- Continue another 1.5 miles to Buena Vista and turn right on it. Note the sharp right turn that Romero Canyon Rd. takes about .5 miles up from East Valley and the twists and turns it takes up to Buena Vista.
- The trailhead is about .3 miles east on Buena Vista. You will find a locked red steel gate marking the trail’s beginning.
- Head up the jeeway for a bit under a half mile and as oyu cross the cement bridge look for a dirt road heading off to the left (west).
Download Directions: Download PDF Map Directions
Get Directions To The Romero Catway Trailhead
Driving Directions
Get Directions to Romero Catway which is located at 34.46325877334401,-119.5876221649814.
Print Directions
Things to Know
Background
Trip Log
On The Trail
From the locked gate the route finding is easy—as you walk up the oak-lined road, the power line road splits off to the left a bit beyond the concrete bridge. This is where the hard part begins. The road leads up a side canyon and begins to gain elevation fairly rapidly. Fifteen minutes of strenuous climbing will get you to the summit and from here the next mile along the power line road is easy. The road is almost, though not quite, level as it winds along the side of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Just after the road begins to level out look for a small trail on the ocean side that diagonals up to a high point. It doesn't look like much but at the top is one of the great viewpoints and stone benches you'll find in the front country. The bench was constructed in honor of Jimmy Andros' son, Mark James, who died tragically in 1961.
There are several promontories along the way which provide great places to stop but the best is near the end of the road on a knoll which is marked on the Carpinteria topo with a small triangle and the elevation—1543’. Look for a trail in the chaparral leading out to the top of the knoll. On it you will find a beautiful hand carved bench to sit on and enjoy the sunset views. You can thank the Montecito Trails Foundation for providing this magnificent bench.
The power line road ends just a few hundred yards beyond the knoll trail. If you look closely you will spot the Buena Vista trail sign without too much difficulty. The trail drops down into Buena Vista Canyon, a very pretty sycamore-filled canyon which is the most colorful front country canyon in November and September when the leaves are a golden yellow.
On The Bike
On The Run
On The Walk
Last Updated: Sunday, November 9, 2014
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