California has yet another attraction for those who like to hike out into nature. The new Ropersmith Trail near Santa Barbara, Ventura County, offers panoramic views, plenty of wildlife and rare coastal sage scrub. Meanwhile, the trail officially opened to hikers in May, making it ideal for summer days spent out in nature.

Ropersmith Trail in Harmon Canyon Preserve near Santa Barbara

A new hiking trail near Santa Barbara, California, opened to hikers in May, just in time for summer. Known as the Ropersmith Trail, it offers 2 miles of smooth, single-track hiking and mountain biking through the Harmon Canyon Preserve, a 2,123-acre preserve east of the city. Meanwhile, the creation of the Ropersmith Trail was done in collaboration with Sage Trail Alliance and Ventura Land Trust.

Hikers can park at the main Harmon Canyon Preserve Trailhead before heading out on a double-track trail known as Harmon Canyon Road. This trail takes hikers past oak and sage trees where they should keep an eye out for deer, red-tailed hawks and even rare California quail. Canyon Road winds its way through the hills of the preserve, all the way to the beautiful Goldenberg Overlook. From here, hikers can enjoy spectacular views over the Santa Monica Mountains and the Channel Islands.

Where does the Ropersmith Trail start?

The new Ropersmith Trail starts at the junction with Goldenberg Overlook. Currently, the trail isn’t marked on any of the Harmon Canyon Preserve online maps. However, they have made it easy to find with clear trailer markers. From there, follow the signs as the trail heads through undulating hills past the coastal sage scrub. From there, the trail reconnects with Harmon Canyon Road.

Those hikers who can hike the trail before summer will be able to enjoy the yellow wildflowers (see image top of article) that cover the hills during spring.

While the new Ropersmith Trail is great, this isn’t the only new trail planned for Harmon Canyon Preserve. A local non-profit, Ventura Land Trust, purchased the preserve in 2020 and has already built 12 miles of new, single-track trails in the area.

Heather Burton, Development Coordinator at the Ventura Land Trust, made a statement about the new Ropersmith Trail as follows:

We’re focused on ensuring the Preserve is both open to the public and that we continue to protect it from an ecosystem perspective. It does take a little bit longer to develop new trails and while we don’t have a timeline for the new trails yet, it’s on the horizon.

Distance to Ropersmith Trail from Los Angeles

The Harmon Canyon Preserve is an easy, one-hour drive from Los Angeles and is free to use. Meanwhile, along with the proximity to Santa Barbara, Harmon Canyon Preserve is a unique local resource for connecting with nature.

Meanwhile, the Ventura Land Trust will continue to expand recreational options in the preserve. However, they will take time out to plan trails that ensure the long-term protection of the land. Hikers can enjoy the spectacular views and the rare sage ecosystem but must ensure they hike responsibly.