Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Santa Cruz (Little Pine Mountain) Trail
USFSLand Manager
Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaSanta Barbara
, California -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlack Diamond (1 vote)
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular direction shown
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Dogs AllowedYes
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Global Ranking
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Local Popularity45 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
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Land Owner
Santa Cruz Trail, also known as Little Pine, is a Santa Barbara back country classic. The upper trail head is near Happy Hollow camp ground at the top of Little Pine Mountain, and the bottom trail head is a short way up the Camuesa OHV road from the Upper Oso camp ground. While some adventurous souls climb the Santa Cruz trail, most continue past the lower trail head and up the OHV road. Take a left at the intersection with Buckhorn road. Next take the cut off to Happy Hollow at the cistern. The trail head is on your right as you arrive in Happy Hollow. It is about 11 miles and 4000 feet of climbing from Upper Oso to the upper trail head.
While overall an intermediate trail, there are sections of extreme exposure and loose shale. The section near the top from Alexander Saddle down to the upper meadow has breathtaking views, but you really don't want to ride off the trail here. And don't be shy about walking areas in the shale slides. Otherwise just hang on for more than 5 miles of single track bliss.
Disclaimer
Wear a bell to let other trail users know you're coming. Mountain bike access hinges on respecting other trail users.
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportdonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
More Stats for Santa Cruz Trail (Little Pine Mountain) multi-use trail trail
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Altitude change-2,966 ft
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Altitude min1,327 ft
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Altitude max4,346 ft
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Altitude start4,309 ft
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Altitude end1,342 ft
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Grade-10.9%
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Grade max-72.8%
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Grade min12.6%
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Distance climb2,087 ft
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Distance down5 miles
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Distance flat1,335 ft
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Avg time00:56:15
- view trail stats
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Inadequate
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
- mountain biking recent
- mountain biking (>6 month)
- hiking (1 year)
- moto (1 year)
- Downhill Ski
- Backcountry Ski
- Nordic Ski
- Snowmobile
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SaveSanta Cruz Trail... Trail Reports
Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 0 rides
6 Months
- 11 rides
- 25 miles avg distance
All
- 110 rides
- Last: Dec 26, 2022
Photos
Routes with this trail
8 Reviews & Comments
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+ 1



I would absolutely ride this trail again and look forward to exploring more trails in the area someday. Thanks to those who put the work in to maintain this trail - definitely not an easy feat!




Videos
Nearby Trails
- Santa Cruz Jeep Trail 1 mile
- Happy Hollow Connector 1 mile
- Buckhorn Road 4 miles
- Camuesa Connector 4 miles
- Camuesa Canyon Road 5 miles
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