HOT SPRINGS CANYON – 8:30 AM. The Hot Springs, Saddle Rock, Girard, and McMenemy trails form a loop on the ridge between San Ysidro and Hot Springs Canyons. This diverse hike follows a stream in Hot Springs Canyon and climbs to the ridge below Saddle Rock, a group of gorgeous sandstone formations with great views of the Santa Barbara coastline.   (“Day Hikes SB”, R. Stone)  Hiking Distance: 4.2 miles round trip; Elevation gain: 1000 feet; Hiking Time: 2.5 hours (go at your pace); Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous.  Co-leader sweeps the trail, Hikers look out for each other, No one left behind.  DIRECTIONS: From either direction on Fwy 101, exit at Olive Mill Road and turn toward the mountains. Continue up Olive Mill Rd 1.0 mile, crossing East Valley Rd where name changes to Hot Springs Rd. After another 1.0 mile turn left on East Mountain Drive. Go 0.2 miles to trailhead and parking spaces on the right.  HIKE LEADERS: John Watson, watsonjw@swbell.net, 805-689-4379; 

Bo Kite,roykite2004@yahoo.com; Neal Polans, & Susan Wong.

If you are uncertain about the difficulty of our hikes, you might want to begin with Jesusita Trail to Moreno Ranch.  It is the easier of our hikes, with less elevation gain.  But all of our hikes have significant stretches with uneven footing.  Happy Hikers events are open to graduates of Newcomers, visitors of Newcomers, and members of the general public.  Our hikes feature good conversations and the opportunity to make new friends.

Hope to see you there!