Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 3.00 Miles

Trail Details

• Trail #: 29W03
• Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
• County: Santa Barbara County
• Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
• Trail-head Latitude: 34.75811
• Trail-head Longitude: -119.95478
• Water Sources: HAPPY CYN. 7N07.2
• Trail Condition: Kind of Good - Little to no bushwacking and easily followable
• Topo Maps:
  
  Bald Mountain
  Figueroa Mountain
Activities & Features:
• Day Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Mountain Biking
• Wildlife Viewing

Trail Stats

• Total Elevation Gain: + 226 feet.
• Total Elevation Loss: - 1963 feet.
• Overall Average Slope Gain: + 6 %.
• Overall Average Slope Loss: - 14 %.
• Kilometers:
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• Meters:
  (m)
• Miles:
  (mi)
• Feet:
  (ft)
• Average Slope:
  (%)

Photo By: Antonio Calderon - Website Link

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Survey This Trail

Survey Photos:

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  LPFA - 04-12-2014
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  Meghan Sheen - 04-23-2015
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  Meghan Sheen - 04-23-2015
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  Meghan Sheen - 04-23-2015
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  Meghan Sheen - 04-23-2015
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  Meghan Sheen - 04-23-2015
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  Steve Lynes - 04-10-2016
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  Steve Lynes - 04-10-2016
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  Steve Lynes - 04-10-2016
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  Steve Lynes - 04-10-2016
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  Steve Lynes - 04-10-2016
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 05-05-2017
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 05-05-2017
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 05-05-2017
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 05-05-2017
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 05-05-2017
• 
  Anonymous Surveyor - 04-11-2019
• 
  Anonymous Surveyor - 04-11-2019
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  Anonymous Surveyor - 04-11-2019
• 
  Antonio Calderon - 05-02-2020
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  Antonio Calderon - 05-02-2020
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  Antonio Calderon - 05-02-2020
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  Jeff Harker - 06-05-2022
• 
  Erin C. - 11-19-2022
• 
  Erin C. - 11-19-2022
• 
  ECDuzIt - 02-16-2024

Submitted Trail Reports

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 02-16-2024 - by ECDuzIt

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	02-16-2024
Surveyor Name:	ECDuzIt
Trail description:	The recent report from Tony is accurate. A few very small downed trees near the Edgar Davidson sign that would be easy to move out of the way but they were covered with ladybugs so I left them alone.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 01-27-2024 - by Tony G.

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	01-27-2024
Surveyor Name:	Tony G.
Trail description:	I hiked up Davey Brown trail from Davey Brown Campground on Sunset Valley Road. The trail was clear all the way. As I was walking up I saw mountain bike tracks and knew at that point that if a bike got through it would be smooth sailing for the rest of the trail. Water was flowing in the creek until it stops about a 1/4 mile from the top at Figueroa Road. The lady bugs are out! Millions of them!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 07-15-2023 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	07-15-2023
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Thanks to the combined efforts of multiple LPFA volunteer projects and a Forest Service Type 2 Fire Crew, the Davy Brown Trail was cleared of all downed trees suffered as part of the March 2023 snow storm. In addition to clearing Davy Brown, work was also accomplished on nearby White Rock Trail and Willow Springs. More work is needed on the other trails but Davy Brown is clear of downed trees.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 07-28-2023 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	07-28-2023
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Noozhawk article from Dan McCaslin featuring the Davy Brown and Munch Canyon Trails: https://www.noozhawk.com/dan-mccaslin-munch-canyon-trail-leads-to-six-mile-shuttle-hiking-adventure/
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 04-08-2023 - by Jeff Langille

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	04-08-2023
Surveyor Name:	Jeff Langille
Trail description:	Hiked down with my wife and kids (age 10 and 3).  I carried the 3 year old in a pack.  There are a couple of sections where the trail was washed out by gullies, but they were easy to step over so long as you are careful about your footing.  Trees starting appearing across the trail after about a mile (once you get to the Fir trail).  They can be passed with some effort.  We climbed through about 5 of these before we decided that was enough.  My 10 year old was having a good time, which was the only reason we kept going through the trees.  We settled down next to the creek and had some fun exploring before heading back up the trail and out.  There were lots of wild flowers on the drive up to the trail, but not much on the trail at this point.  The road up to the trail was in good enough shape.  Just a note to all that this road is pretty narrow and with all the wildflower spotters, you might have to do some reversing and such for cars to pass each other.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 03-18-2023 - by Chris Chirgwin

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	03-18-2023
Surveyor Name:	Chris Chirgwin
Trail description:	Hiked this trail on March 18, 2023.  The recent storms downed dozens of trees across the trail and several sections are washed out.  It took me about an hour to hike 1.5 miles.  There's plenty of water in the creeks!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 11-19-2022 - by Erin C.

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	11-19-2022
Surveyor Name:	Erin C.
Trail description:	I biked/hiked up this trail from Davy Brown Campground to Willow Spur Trail. The trail is in excellent shape and the fall colors from the Big Leaf Maple trees and Cottonwoods are beautiful right now.  There is one huge conifer that has fallen over the trail that is downstream of the Willow Spur Trail but you can easily walk underneath it.  Water is flowing nicely in the creek too.
Mode of transport:	Bicycle
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 06-05-2022 - by Jeff Harker

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	06-05-2022
Surveyor Name:	Jeff Harker
Trail description:	Did the trail from Fig Mtn rd out to the campground and back.  Trail is in good shape.  Water flowing in a number of spots. Poison Oak starting to encroach the trail.  Saw fairly fresh bear scat in middle of trail about one mile in and then about a quarter mile from the campground, encountered the bear.  It was just off trail.  Pretty good sized. Shouting scared it.  It took a few quick jumps up the hill then stopped and looked back.  First bear I've seen in Santa Barbara county.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 05-02-2020 - by Antonio Calderon

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	05-02-2020
Surveyor Name:	Antonio Calderon
Trail description:	Hiked from davy brown campground to Figueroa mt rd. Lots of poison oak on first half mile but avoidable. Creek was flowing good with decent pools. Nice and shaded most of the trail. A few downed trees. Found lots of ticks.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 11-17-2019 - by Tony G.

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	11-17-2019
Surveyor Name:	Tony G.
Trail description:	Hiked from Fig Rd down to Davy Brown Camp and back. The trail is in good shape, only a few downed trees, lots of ball-bearing acorns making for some slippery sections. Water was flowing in most of the canyon from about 1/2 mile below Fig Rd. to Davy Brown. Minimum poison oak,as most of the leaves have dropped.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 04-11-2019 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	04-11-2019
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	I love this trail. There is such diversity in its short 3 miles. This time around we saw banana slugs, and a number of small steelhead in the creek's larger pools. Beware, however, there is lots of poison oak toward the bottom (~1/2 mile up from the camp)! The kind where the trail just seems to be getting "thinner and thinner" as you go. Otherwise, an awesome time.  Also, we saw these strange looking plants about 1 mile up from the camp. They don't look like they belong, but I have no idea what they are...Anybody?
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 05-26-2018 - by Tony G.

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	05-26-2018
Surveyor Name:	Tony G.
Trail description:	Hiked down from Fig Mtn. Rd. The trail is in good shape with water flowing in the creek from about 1/3 of the way down all the way to Davy Brown Campground. Poison Oak is a bit thick in some sections.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 04-04-2018 - by Murray Ruben

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	04-04-2018
Surveyor Name:	Murray Ruben
Trail description:	Trail in excellent shape. Very confusing finding Munch Cyn connector - my dogs actually found an alternate trail visible on Google Earth. Apparently the real trail heads down to the stream then makes a sudden turn to double back. A LOT of Poison Oak just beginning to show leaves. Look out for any branches poking out into the trail - most of them turned out to be PO.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 02-24-2018 - by Sam Minard

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	02-24-2018
Surveyor Name:	Sam Minard
Trail description:	A few trees down across trail. Trail good, good water .
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 02-17-2018 - by Tony G

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	02-17-2018
Surveyor Name:	Tony G
Trail description:	As mentioned by Ozimec on 2/4/18 the trail is good shape, adding that water in the creek is flowing well from a third of the way down from Fig Rd. to Davey Brown campground.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 02-04-2018 - by Ozimec

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	02-04-2018
Surveyor Name:	Ozimec
Trail description:	A couple of downed trees, otherwise great trail conditions.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 12-31-2017 - by Valerie Norton

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	12-31-2017
Surveyor Name:	Valerie Norton
Trail description:	Hit the upper section on the way up to Figueroa and the lower section on the way down. I see someone has dropped off some new signs at the junctions! Still some trees down, but nothing difficult to get past.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 09-24-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	09-24-2017
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Recent article about Fir Canyon - Davy Brown by ValHikes: http://valhikes.blogspot.com/2017/09/fir-canyon-davy-brown-trail.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MomentsInDirtAndInk+%28Moments+in+Dirt+and+Ink%29
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 06-01-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	06-01-2017
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	REPORT that the Fig Mtn fire crews cleared all but one of the trees along the Davy Brown Trail.  The one remaining tree is the large pine that is 6-8ft above the ground over the trail.  C+++ tree!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 05-05-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	05-05-2017
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	There are a number of downed trees on the upper sections of Davy Brown Trail starting 0.3 miles from the top down to 1.5 miles from the top.  The photos below show the trees with the first photos being closest (0.3) to the Fig Mtn Rd upper trailhead.  In addition to the downed trees here are some notes from DB as well as the other nearby trails: - Willow Spur Trail needs work, hillside sliding in places, lots of PO. - Willow Spring Trail is getting really overgrown.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 04-10-2016 - by Steve Lynes

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	04-10-2016
Surveyor Name:	Steve Lynes
Trail description:	This is a very beautiful hike, incredibly serene and peaceful with some spectacular views and a Chumash mortar hole in a large rock about mid-way along the trail. For the most part the trail is well maintained and easy to follow but there are a few junctions that are either unnamed (they only say trail) or unmarked altogether and it is easy to take a wrong turn at a trail junction (or miss the one you want to take) if you don't have a map. Since this was my very first time here I had to use my map (and my compass to orient it to north) and use terrain association to pick the correct trail where the Willow Spur & Munch Canyon Trails intersect the Davy Brown Trail. Some strategic trail markers could fix this problem. A friend took a wrong turn in January and ended up turning a 6 mile hike into a 10 mile hike because of this. There were a couple of areas where trees were down across the trail and had to be climbed over (or under if you were small and didn't have a pack on). Also there were lots of areas with heavy poison oak that was either leaning into or across the trail (some machete work is needed to cut it back). Overall this was a fabulous hike, especially since it was the day after rain and all the creeks and streams were flowing heavily...it was marvelous and I'll definitely hike it again!!!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Downed trees across the trail. Lots of poison oak on the trail. Needs named trail markers at trail junctions.
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 11-03-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	11-03-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Report from the Santa Ynez Women's Hiking Group: Largish branch down over the trail just after you start heading up from the stream along the upper section.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 04-23-2015 - by Meghan Sheen

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	04-23-2015
Surveyor Name:	Meghan Sheen
Trail description:	Good shape, easy to follow, found some fun things along the trail like an old cabin remnant and a few Chumash Mortar bowls. 198trailscrew
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 02-14-2015 - by Shriner

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	02-14-2015
Surveyor Name:	Shriner
Trail description:	Between miles 0-1 trail is in fair to good condition, no work needed. Between Miles 1-2 sections of the trail are angled and loose and would be sketchy for those not sure footed. A little work could go a long way especially since the ground is soft now.  Also around mile 1.6-2 dormant poison oak is just waiting to take over the trail. Now would be an excellent time do some preventative removal. Stream is low but running nicely and even saw a few trout darting around in bigger holes One guy and a couple were seen on the trail.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Just needing tread work

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 04-12-2014 - by LPFA

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	04-12-2014
Surveyor Name:	LPFA
Trail description:	There is one large downed tree about 1/3mile from the top that is developing a nice work around.  We are working on a plan to remove the tree and restore the proper tread.  See photo below.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail Survey - 03-22-2014 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail
Date:	03-22-2014
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Starting from Davy Brown, the first 3/4 mile was beautiful along the creek and relatively flat.  You have to traverse the creek three to four times.  At this point you can left or right.  I went right and started towards Figueroa.  The trail begins steep to very steep at this point.  I am 53 and overweight and it really was quite a challenge.  The climb has magnificent views and I have no regrets but be sure you are in good enough shape to make the climb to the peak.  My legs were shaky on the traverse down the slope.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
People Seen:	2

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