Cold Spring Full of Water on New Year’s Day

By Robert Bernstein

Gushing water is no surprise in most of the country, but here it is a big deal. We went hiking the Cold Spring Trail on New Year’s Day and saw plenty of water.

Here are my many photos.

We first tried entering via the trail on the west side of the creek. But we soon found crossing the creek impossible due to this scene!

We opted to walk across the bridge and try from the main trail that was rebuilt after the 2018 mudflow.

Here is my video of the creek taken from the middle of the bridge.

We walked a few minutes and came to the fork to the West Fork Cold Spring Trail. Quite a few people were gathered there, pondering whether they could cross. It did not look possible. Here is my video of the area near that crossing.

Here is my video of the creek just above the crossing.

We continued on another fifteen minutes to the big crossing where there is usually a small trickle of a waterfall. This time it was a real waterfall!

Another fifteen minutes of walking and we saw this beautiful scene of flowing water.

Both of these crossings took some care. There were some young people who made it across with just a running start and a leap. But we took our time, holding each others’ hands, stepping on rocks.

In some places the trail itself became a bit of a stream. But nothing too challenging.

There were plenty of downed trees and branches across the creek and across the trail. But nothing that really blocked continuing on the trail on foot.

The moss and the ferns were having a great time with all the water!

But what really stood out were the toyon bushes, festooned with red berries! These are edible, but they don’t taste that great. We sampled a few. This photo shows some berries up close, while also showing the distant hillsides covered with them!The top of the lower section of the East Fork Cold Spring Trail is about 850 feet above the start on Mountain Drive. We paused here. From this point the trail continues on up to Montecito Peak and on to Camino Cielo at the top of the mountains.But we just climbed a bit higher for a snack and to take in the view down the coast.We then headed back down the East Fork Trail to connect to the “Ridge Trail” which used to be known as the “Hippie House Trail”. Because of the remains of a small commune that used to be there. Unfortunately, when the trail was reopened in recent years, vandals destroyed and scattered those remains.

Thanks to Montecito Trails Foundation for the trail maintenance and for the new, informative signage. Much better than the old signs that just said “Trail”!The Ridge Trail offered a clear view of a very lush green Tea Garden on the other side of the canyon.Thanks to the new signage we learned about a new Lookout Trail, complete with a bench built by Boy Scout Troop 33.The bench offered a magnificent view, indeed.We continued down the new Lookout Trail for another view of the Tea Garden.After reconnecting with the main Ridge Trail we enjoyed looking at this fungus that was thriving in all of the fresh water. A great way to start the New Year, with plenty of water!