I found this spot after finding the nearby "Under the Wire" cache. I had been to this area many times, but didn't know about this point. I was walking with my head down deep in thought as I took the wrong trail. As soon as I realized I was in the wrong place I wondered where this trail went.
If you feel like it, climb on top of the rocks to get the best view. It appears that large footholds have been carved into the rocks to make the climb easier, like stair steps. Maybe it was a Chumash that carved it? Maybe rain and wind weathered it like that? Either way, it is a great spot and one I'll visit again and again.
-Hike info-
There are two main ways to get here from the Santa Barbara foothills. One is from Tunnel Road (2 mile hike one way, 800 ft. elevation gain), and the other is from San Roque Rd.(3 mile hike one way, 1000 ft. elevation gain).
From Tunnel Road: drive up the canyon until you get to the area with the water tower. Park on the right side of the road below the tower (facing uphill). There is no more parking beyond this area. Walk uphill and take the middle road going uphill and to the right. There will be a gate that you can walk around. This part of the trail will remain paved for awhile. Stay on the paved road until it becomes dirt. At the dirt part, stay left and follow the road a few hundred feet, go straight past the Tunnel Trail on your right and take the Jesusita trail that is ahead on your left. There is a sign that is hard to see that says "Trail". Follow this smaller trail and you will eventually cross Mission Creek [side note: take a right and rockhop upstream if you ever want to get to seven falls]. The crossing is easy and the trail continues uphill on the other side. Continue on this trail and I'll leave the rest up to you.
From San Roque: There is a trailhead on San Roque accross the street from the dam and next to the water treatment plant. From here it is a three mile hike to the cache.
