DUE TO THE RAIN, THE TRAIL IS IMPASSABLE.

We begin our 1½ hour hike at the corner of Gibraltar Road and El Cielito, walking steeply up Gibraltar Road for 1/3 mile, stopping along the way to admire panoramic  views. We then turn into a gated area where we start our descent through the lower portion of Rattlesnake Canyon which offers more scenic views.  The trail meanders along a creek and is generally a fairly easy descent on a wide, sandy path, except for a short rocky stream bed.  We leave the Rattlesnake Canyon trail at the trail head on Las Canoas Road across from Skofield Park and continue down Las Canoas to El Cielito Road and back to Gibraltar Road. 

 Dogs on leash are welcome. Just be aware that for a short time we will be walking along a narrow road (Gibraltar Road).

No need to register.  Just show up.  We will go ahead in light rain, but the hike is canceled if there is heavy rain on the day of or either of the two days preceding the hike. (If that happens, the trails will be impassable.) Bring water and sunblock.

 Directions: We will meet at 1901 Cielito Lane, a private home near El Cielito and Gibraltar Roads since there is no parking on either of those roads. Cielito Lane is a small private road off Gibraltar between Mountain Drive and El Cielito Road.  Once on the Lane, 1901 is the third house on the left.  Parking is available on Cielito Lane.

Roads get confusing up in this area so Google Maps is probably a good idea. 1901 Cielito Lane is in Santa Barbara and zip code is 93105. 

If you are coming East on Route 192, stay on Mountain Drive by turning left before the old water filtration plant (large white building on the left side of 192).  Less than 1/4 mile up, the road will split: Las Canoas to the left and Mountain Drive to the right.  Bear right on Mountain Drive and take the immediate left onto Gibraltar Road.  Cielito Lane will be on your left a little ways up.  It is the first left turn off Gibraltar.  (If you miss it, you will get to the corner of Gibraltar and El Cielito.  Turn around and look for Cielito Lane on the right.) 1901 is the third house in on the left (downhill side).

If you are coming West on Route 192, the water filtration plant will be on your right and you will turn right just past it onto Mountain Drive and follow the directions above.  (Note: You will pass El Cielito before you get to the water filtration plant and Mountain Drive.  Ignore it.