Description for Little Pine Loop
The Little Pine Loop contains 10.3 miles of dirt roads and 4.5 miles of single-track trail. There is over a 3000 foot elevation gain from Upper Oso Camp-ground to the top of Little Pine Mountain and Happy Hollow Campground. Most mountain bike riders take the Camuesa and Buckhorn road to the top of the mountain, and the steep Santa Cruz trail back down. Motorcycles and ATVs are allowed to use the dirt roads but not the singletrack trail.
The Little Pine Loop:
Section 1.
Camuesa Road (3.8 miles/dirt): Start at the locked gate and hike to the intersection of the Camuesa and Buckhorn roads. One-half mile from the locked gate, you will reach the single-track Santa Cruz Trail on the left hand side of the road. The Camuesa Road then begins to gain elevation on its many switchbacks. Continue past Hidden Potrero Campground to the intersection of the Camuesa and Buckhorn Roads where you will see a large wooden trail sign. Turn left onto the
Buckhorn Road.
Section 2.
Buckhorn Road (5 miles/dirt): Take the Buckhorn Road for 5 miles and then turn left onto Little Pine Road. There is a big cement water tank on the left just before this junction.
Section 3.
Little Pine Road (1.5 miles/dirt): Take Little Pine Road for 1.5 miles heading toward the top of Little Pine Mountain and Happy Hollow Campground.
Section 4.
Little Pine Connector Trail (.5 miles/dirt): The Santa Cruz Trail can be reached via a half-mile connector trail which is on the right side, just before Happy Hollow Campground.
Section 5.
Santa Cruz Trail (4 miles/dirt): Turn left at the connector trail/Santa Cruz Trail junction. Take the Santa Cruz Trail downhill past Nineteen Oaks Campground, that is 1⁄4 mile off of the trail and approximately 1.5 miles from the Camuesa Road. This section of trail is very steep and narrow.
Section 6.
Camuesa Road (.6 miles/dirt): Turn right onto the Camuesa Road and travel .6 miles back to the Upper Oso Parking Lot.
Fees: The Forest Adventure Pass is needed for day use recreation in the Santa Ynez Recreation Area. This area is all managed by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company. A separate fee is charged for camping in the area. Visit this website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres and look under Passes and Permits section of the website or call the district office for more information.
Places to buy an Adventure Pass: please call ahead to confirm availability of passes
Los Prietos Ranger Station
3505 Paradise Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 967-3481 Monday-Saturday 8 am to 4:30 p.m 5 miles from Hwy 154 on Paradise .Road
Los Padres National Forest Headquarters
6755 Hollister Ave, Suite 150 Goleta, CA 93117 Monday-Friday 8am-4:30 p.m. (805) 968-6640
Rocky Mountain Recreation Co.
Paradise Campground and when the kiosks are open (805) 967-8766 Campground Reservations 1-877-444-6777 Rocky Mountain Recreation Company manages the Forest Service campgrounds on Paradise Rd.
Big 5 Sporting Goods
3935 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 964-4749
M-F 10 am –9 pm, Sat. 9am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm
The Adventure Pass is sold at most Big 5 Sporting Goods throughout Southern California.
Directions to Little Pine Loop Trailhead
Directions to trailhead: Highway 154 to Paradise Road, and then travel 5.7 miles on Paradise Road to the first crossing of the Santa Ynez River. Just after crossing the river, and before crossing the bridge, turn left onto the road that goes to Upper Oso Campground. At Upper Oso Campground, take the road around the lower loop of the campground until it comes to a parking area adjacent a locked gate. The Camuesa Connector Trail Loop begins here.<br />
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