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Caldwell - Trout Creek Trail

Santa Barbara · Managed by Los Padres National Forest (USFS) · Region: Los Padres backcountry
Difficulty 55/100 · Strenuousout and back#los-padres#los-padres-backcountry#backcountry
Distance
22.8 mi
Net gain
1,308 ft
Net loss
1,308 ft
Elevation
1,080–2,388 ft
Days
3–4
Permit
Not required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Caldwell - Trout Creek Trail is a 11.4-mile trail through the Los Padres backcountry that climbs from 1,080 to 2,388 feet and is rated Difficult/Strenuous by the Forest Service.

Highlights

  • 11.4 miles of backcountry trail per the Forest Service
  • An elevation range of 1,080–2,388 feet
  • No wilderness permits required on the Los Padres

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Caldwell - Trout Creek Trail Trailhead (2,060 ft) · parking: Per the Forest Service trail page directions; no trail fees
  • Water: Seasonal creeks along the route; treat all water and confirm flows.
  • Resupply: None; services are limited in the backcountry districts.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.

Permits

No wilderness permit is required for this route (per Los Padres National Forest (USFS)).

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings, and forest-wide fire restrictions are common — check current alerts. A California Campfire Permit is required for stoves. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: March, April, May, October, November.

Snow: Year-round; winter snow is possible at higher elevations.

Heat: Summer brings heat and sun exposure — spring and fall are ideal.

Bugs: Poison oak and ticks in warm months.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Check current fire restrictions before your trip
  • A California Campfire Permit is required even for a stove
  • Poison oak lines many Los Padres trails
  • Water is seasonal — confirm creek flows

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Caldwell - Trout Creek Trail. Los Padres National Forest (U.S. Forest Service). https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/trails/caldwell-trout-creek-trail-15e06. Accessed 2026-09-10. License: Public domain (US government work). Trail distance (11.4 mi one way), elevation range (1080–2388 ft), and difficulty rating (Difficult/Strenuous).
  3. Los Padres Fire Use and Firearm Restrictions. Los Padres National Forest (U.S. Forest Service). https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/alerts/los-padres-fire-use-and-firearm-restrictions. Accessed 2026-09-10. License: Public domain (US government work). Current fire-use restrictions for the forest.
  4. Hiking — Los Padres National Forest. Los Padres National Forest (U.S. Forest Service). https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/opportunities/hiking. Accessed 2026-09-10. License: Public domain (US government work). Forest hiking overview and trail index.