Forbush Flat Camp
Campground
Campground · 2.7 mi from the trail
California · Hiking · Near Carpinteria
West Fork Cold Spring
- 3.8 mi
- round trip
- 1,054 ft
- climb
- 1,932 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Oct–May
- best months
Caution at last check
Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 12 h ago
Is West Fork Cold Spring open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Los Padres National Forest.
Los Padres Fire Use and Firearm Restrictions
Agency alert covering Los Padres National Forest · Order 05-07-00-26-05 · USFS · Los Padres National Forest
Santa Barbara Front Country Fire Use Restrictions
Agency alert covering Los Padres National Forest · Order 05-07-5406-01 · USFS · Los Padres National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Los Padres National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
West Fork Cold Spring is a moderate hike of about 3.8 miles in the Santa Barbara Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest, within Gould Park on city land. The trail is an out-and-back that gains about 1,050 feet, starting at roughly 875 feet and reaching about 1,932 feet at the high point. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Gibraltar Dam show April highs around 76°F and October highs around 83°F, while July and August average in the mid-90s. The trail is on natural surface and allows both horses and bikes. Climbers will find Central Services Face, Upper Main Wall and Invisible Wall all about 0.2 miles away. The North Fork Cold Spring Trail lies about 0.6 miles off.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after La Tapatia Bakery
Restaurant
On your way back · 3 mi
If it rainsMike Boucher, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Mike Boucher, CC BY 2.0 (commons)
More in Carpinteria- Central Services FaceRock climbing0.2 mi
- Upper Main WallRock climbing0.2 mi
- Invisible WallRock climbing0.2 mi
- North Fork Cold Spring TrailHiking0.6 mi
Root Cellar TrailHikingPhoto: breic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.7 mi
Upper Oso CampgroundCampingPhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain7.8 mi- Upper OsoCamping8.3 mi
Sage HillSaltwater fishing8.5 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Root Cellar TrailHiking · ~1 min drivePhoto: breic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- North Fork Cold Spring TrailHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: breic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Rattlesnake Connector TrailHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: bdearth, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- RattlesnakeHiking · ~3 min drivePhoto: bdearth, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
TunnelHiking · ~4 min drivePhoto: brewbooks, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
Public Trail EasementHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: Keithf, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Rock Garden TrailHiking · ~3 min drivePhoto: bdearth, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Cathedral Peak TrailHiking · ~4 min drivePhoto: bdearth, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Tunnel ConnectorHiking · ~3 min drivePhoto: bdearth, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- McmenemyHiking · ~5 min drive
Also worth it near here
Best time to visit West Fork Cold Spring
Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
66° / 36°
8 wet
Feb
67° / 36°
9 wet
Mar
70° / 38°
7 wet
Apr
76° / 41°
4 wet
May
80° / 46°
2 wet
Jun
88° / 49°
0 wet
Jul
94° / 55°
0 wet
Aug
96° / 54°
0 wet
Sep
91° / 51°
1 wet
Oct
83° / 45°
2 wet
Nov
73° / 40°
3 wet
Dec
64° / 34°
6 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gibraltar Dam #2, CA, 3.9 mi away at 1,558 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
