Tequepis Trail - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 3.91 Miles

Tequepis is the name of an Indian village located at the north of the canyon and the Santa Ynez River. The site of the village is now covered by Lake Cachuma. The canyon descends from the Santa Ynez Mountains to the south shore of Lake Cachuma. In the early days, the Step family filed several homesteads further up the canyon on which the Knight family had filed. Later, Camp Drake Boy Scout Camp was established. Later the Scouts moved down the canyon and the old camp became Camp Cielo. The Tequepis Trail 29W06 climbs steeply by way of several switch backs to reach West Camino Cielo road just east of Broadcast Peak. Years ago the south part was known as the Gato Trail and extended all the way to the ocean. This part of the trail is no longer maintained or in use as it crosses private property.

Trail Details

Trail #: 29W06
Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
County: Santa Barbara County
Ranger District: Santa Barbara Ranger District
Trail-head Latitude: 34.52682412498862
Trail-head Longitude: -119.9501895904541
Water Sources: Water is only available seasonally in creek
Trail Condition: Good - Trail is easy to follow and is in good shape
Topo Maps:
Lake Cachuma

Activities & Features:

Day Hiking
Mountain Biking
Panoramic Views
Wildlife Viewing

Trail Stats

Total Elevation Gain: + 2493 feet.
Total Elevation Loss: - 243 feet.
Overall Average Slope Gain: + 7 %.
Overall Average Slope Loss: - 14 %.
Kilometers: (km)
Meters: (m)
Miles: (mi)
Feet: (ft)
Average Slope: (%)

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Survey This Trail

Survey Photos:

Valerie Norton - 02-10-2014
Valerie Norton - 02-10-2014
Valerie Norton - 02-10-2014
Valerie Norton - 02-10-2014
Valerie Norton - 02-10-2014
Anonymous Surveyor - 06-08-2020
Los Padres Forest Association - 02-12-2021
Los Padres Forest Association - 02-12-2021
Emily Maynard - 01-01-2022
Emily Maynard - 01-01-2022

Submitted Trail Reports

Tequepis Trail Survey - 05-20-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Tequepis Trail
Date:	05-20-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	The Tequepis trail burned in the 2017 Whittier Fire and was closed from July 2017 - Spring 2018.Â The trail was just recently reopened with access available once again from both the West Camino Cielo trailhead as well as the Cirlcle V trailhead. SBMTV hosted a volunteer project on May 20 and cleared / reestablished most of the trail.Â It is back in good shape for riding or hiking. There is one tree remaining across the trail near the bottom.
Mode of transport:	Bicycle
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Tequepis Trail Survey - 06-08-2017 - by Jim Young

Link:	Tequepis Trail
Date:	06-08-2017
Surveyor Name:	Jim Young
Trail description:	Broadcast Peak and Santa Ynez Peak via Tequepis trail. 12.2 mi. total included ~0.5 mi. wandering around at trail head. Total time was 4 hrs, 45 min. Total elevation gain (as reported by GPS) was 3400'. Vertical gain was 3120'. Parked at small "Los Padres" designated are just below Circle V camp gate.Â Weather started as typical June overcast, but cleared to become quite warm. Trail was shady and cool for ~1.5 mi, then breaks out into chaparral with great Â open views of Lake Cachuma and the back country. At the crest, Â I scrambled up Â the motorcycle hill climb track to Broadcast Peak. Footing was sketchy due to steepness with no switchbacks and loose dirt and rocks . Continued West on Camino Cielo road to another OHV trail on the ridge leading up to Santa Ynez Peak. Had lunch sitting under all the antenna equipment. Returned to Tequepis trail via Camino Cielo.Â On the descent, encountered about 25 young hikers on their way up. There's very little shade on the trail, so bring lots of sun protection and water. I expected to be disappointed about using Camino Cielo to complete the hike, but saw no one on the road. I was probably fortunate because it was a weekday.Â Views of Gaviota Coast are spectacular and worth the hike or drive. PS-This is my first trip report, so feedback is appreciated. Mistakenly put into Santa Ynez Peak as camp survey, twice :-( )
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Tequepis Trail Survey - 02-10-2014 - by Valerie Norton

Link:	Tequepis Trail
Date:	02-10-2014
Surveyor Name:	Valerie Norton
Trail description:	Unique vegetation and exquisite lake views combine to make this a special trail. It can be accessed from the bottom through a private camp (park in the lot outside the gate and just keep to the right of way) or from the top by W. Camino Cielo (technically a 4WD road here, little parking and poorly signed). I hiked it from the bottom, stopped by the little waterfall on the way, and grabbed Santa Ynez and Broadcast peaks at the top.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
People Seen:	2
Images:	N/A 0 0 0 0