Summary: short and scenic jaunt along the East Fork Cold Springs trail to the summit of Montecito Peak.
Where: Santa Barbara front country.
When: Last Sunday.
Why: Because.
Distance: A mere 3.5 to the summit. Trip can be extended to 4.5 by continuing to East Camino Cielo along the crest or to about 6 if you drop down the north side to Forbush Flats. This would make a nice little over-nighter.
Bonus: Beer at IBC in Carpinteria.
Some Pics:
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/ColdSpringsTrailSignage120912.jpg)
The beginning.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/EastColdSpringsTrail120912.jpg)
In the shade.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/ColdSpringsCreek120912.jpg)
Cold Springs.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/TrailAboveCanyon120912.jpg)
Into the light.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/MontecitoPeakonAscent120912.jpg)
Hump in the middle is the objective.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/TrailConditionsAboveCanyon120912.jpg)
Trail.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/MontecitoPeakfromEucalyptus120912.jpg)
The "peak."
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/SummitRegister120912.jpg)
Summit register.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/SummitViewII120912.jpg)
View south.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/ChannelIslandsfromSummit120912.jpg)
Channel Islands.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/CaminoCielofromSummit120912.jpg)
View north. Trail crests at trees along ridgeline. San Ysidro trail right middle. Camino Cielo East just above that.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/TrailDescendingBelowPeak120912.jpg)
Descent.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/photobucket/i1258/albums/ii528/fivevikings/Montecito%20Peak/IslandPaleAle120912.jpg)
Yay beer! I disclaim ownership or responsibility for the 2 dead soldiers.
The end.