Middle Fork Trail #24

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail takes you up the center of the Santa Barbara drainage to a point midway along the divide and offers the most direct access to the Pecos Falls area from the north. The trail is well marked and easy to follow.

From the Santa Barbara Campground, follow the trail up the canyon. After entering the wilderness, the canyon narrows with dramatic rock cliffs forming a wall on either side. About three miles upstream, you'll encounter the turnoff for the West Fork Trail #25. Trail #24 climbs up the hillside to the east.

After traveling three miles more through aspen groves, the trail comes down to the river into a large open meadow. A trail sign marks the turnoff to the East Fork Trail #24. Trail #24 crosses the East Fork of the Santa Barbara and turns upstream.

The trail continues up the canyon on the east side of the middle fork drainage through an open meadow. From the top of the meadow, the trail crosses to the west side of the drainage, passing through occasional tributaries flowing down the hillside. The river crossings may make traveling slow. The Santa Barbara Divide is also the Carson/Santa Fe National Forest boundary. Eventually, you'll find yourself of Skyline Trail #251.