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Munch Canyon Trail - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 2.59 Miles

The Munch Canyon Trail is a 2.59 mile trail in the Non Wilderness Area Wilderness in Santa Barbara County. The trail connects the Sunset Valley Road (8N09) and the Fir Canyon Davy Brown Trail (29W03).
Named after Mr. Munch who homesteaded in Sunset Valley. He built a cabin, then removed his claim and the Forest Service used the cabin as a winter Ranger Station for Edgar Davidson. Please let us know if you have explored this trail recently. 

Trail Details

  • Trail #: 29W04
  • Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
  • County: Santa Barbara County
  • Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
  • Trail-head Latitude: 34.75413
  • Trail-head Longitude: -119.94308
  • Trail Condition: Kind of Good - Little to no bushwacking and easily followable
  • Topo Maps:
  • Activities & Features:
    • Backpacking
    • Biking
    • Day Hiking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Panoramic Views
    • Wildlife Viewing



Trail Stats

  • Total Elevation Gain: + 625 feet.
  • Total Elevation Loss: - 1446 feet.
  • Overall Average Slope Gain: + 13 %.
  • Overall Average Slope Loss: - 14 %.
  • Kilometers: (km)
  • Meters: (m)
  • Miles: (mi)
  • Feet: (ft)
  • Average Slope: (%)
Upload Images Aerial Overview Image Login to Download GPS File
Survey This Trail

Survey Photos:


  • M. Jones - 01-21-2015

  • M. Jones - 01-21-2015

  • M. Jones - 01-21-2015

  • M. Jones - 01-21-2015

  • M. Jones - 01-21-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-14-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-14-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-22-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-22-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-22-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-22-2015

  • Meghan Sheen - 04-22-2015

  • EC DUZ IT - 05-19-2023

  • EC DUZ IT - 05-19-2023

  • ECDuzIt - 02-17-2024

  • ECDuzIt - 02-17-2024

  • ECDuzIt - 02-17-2024

  • Amy Findlay - 02-24-2024

Submitted Trail Reports

Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 02-24-2024 - by Amy Findlay
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 02-24-2024
Surveyor Name:Amy Findlay
Trail description:We did the loop from the Ranger Peak pull-off and didn’t go all the way to the Davy Brown campsite.  The trail is easy to follow.  There’s some damage from recent storms, but not bad at all.  There’s a decent amount of water in the creeks at the crossings, but we were able to cross with no problems. 
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

The trail picks up on the other side of the creek with some damage, but passable.
Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 02-17-2024 - by ECDuzIt
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 02-17-2024
Surveyor Name:ECDuzIt
Trail description:It’s incredible how much brushing work has been recently completed on this trail. The brush is DENSE. The trail could still use another round of brushing work to be fully dialed in, but kudos to everyone who has worked on this trail!
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Images:




Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 05-19-2023 - by EC DUZ IT
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 05-19-2023
Surveyor Name:EC DUZ IT
Trail description:I attempted this trail from the bottom and didn't make it very far up. Snow from the Feb. storms has pushed down the chaparral into the trail.  My dog could barely make it through, but I couldn't.  Also at least one downed Grey Pine towards the bottom of the trail (likely more damages higher up on this trail, but I didn't make it up there). 
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Needs some work
Condition details:Needs some work
Images:


Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 04-26-2022 - by Stan Atchison
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 04-26-2022
Surveyor Name:Stan Atchison
Trail description:Hiked as part of a loop from East Pinery - White Rock - White Rock Connector - Munch Canyon - Munch Cyn Conn. - East Pinery. This section was a hot climb up out of Munch Canyon. I should have known I was going to have to pay for all that descent. Trail was in good shape. 
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 04-26-2021 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 04-26-2021
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:Munch Canyon (29W04) has been cleared roughly half way from the junction with The White Rock Connector. The western half is brushy. Met one hiker. 
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Needs some work
Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 04-18-2021 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 04-18-2021
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:Most streams were flowing, some trail surfaces kind of beat up by stock use when wet.
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 05-29-2018 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 05-29-2018
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:My boyfriend and I hiked the Munch Canyon trail via the Davy Brown campsite. There were parts that were very overgrown and the trail narrowed out so much that I wasn't sure if we were still on the trail. There was a site with a bunch of rusted metal (bed frames, a tractor, etc...), and we took a wrong turn here and ended up 0.5 miles on the wrong trail. A trail marker would be really helpful right there! 


Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Needs some work
Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 12-31-2017 - by Valerie Norton
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 12-31-2017
Surveyor Name:Valerie Norton
Trail description:Hiked it from east to west. Nice and clear all the way up to the junction with the connector to East Pinery except an easy walk around right at the start and a thick trunk that is also easy to walk around. Heading down to Davy Brown, there are a couple actually crossing the trail. The largest might be just over a foot wide. Tread is good except one spot of erosion just as it starts to climb away from the creek. Signs are missing at Sunset Valley and both connectors and I even managed not to notice the junction with the connector to White Rock while passing it. Found some rusty new signs at Davy Brown, though!
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 04-22-2015 - by Meghan Sheen
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 04-22-2015
Surveyor Name:Meghan Sheen
Trail description:We took Munch Canyon Trail from Sunset Valley road all the way to Davy Brown Trail. It was in good shape, looks as though someone has recently brushed it all the way up. Some spots of loose rock and old washouts were a little slippery to negotiate  but overall a good day hike.
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Images:







Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 04-14-2015 - by Meghan Sheen
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 04-14-2015
Surveyor Name:Meghan Sheen
Trail description:We covered a about a mile from Sunset Valley up to White Rock Connector. Trail was easy to follow and in good shape. Water in Munch Creek. Lots of alligator lizards out and about today.
Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

old gate at base of trail

us at the junction of munch canyon and white rock connector
Munch Canyon Trail Survey - 01-21-2015 - by M. Jones
Link: Munch Canyon Trail
Date: 01-21-2015
Surveyor Name:M. Jones
Trail description:

A seemingly little used trail in good condition, a nice scenic hike up to the East Pinery Road or up to Figueroa Mountain Road. Other options include down Davy Brown Canyon with connector trails to west to the Willow Spring Figueroa Trail or on the way up the east and White Rock Canyon,

On the day of the hike it was sunny and 61. Munch creek had flowing water about a mile from Sunset Valley

Mode of transport:Hike
Trail condition:Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Trail head at Sunset Valley Road

Canyon bottom near trail head


Trail up canyon

Trail up canyon


Munch Canyon Creek flowing about a mile from Sunset Valley on 011915


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Last Updated: Wednesday, February 24, 2016



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L.P.N.F. Contacts »

  • Forest Headquarters
    Phone: (805) 968-6640
  • Mt. Pinos District
    Phone: (661) 245-3731
  • Ojai Ranger District
    Phone: (805) 646-4348
  • Santa Barbara District
    Phone: (805) 967-3481
  • Santa Lucia District
    Phone: (805) 925-9538
  • Monterey District
    Phone: (831) 385-5434