Hell's Half Acre/McKinley Peak

Hell's Half Acre is an interesting rock formation on McKinley Road about 5.5 miles from the start at Cachuma Saddle on Happy Canyon Road. McKinley Peak is one of the highest peaks in Santa Barbara County, over 6000ft. high (1564 meters).

The trail is really a dirt road, but the road is closed to traffic, unless you have a forest service key to unlock the gate. The road can be steep at times as it winds its way along the crest of the San Rafael range and along the San Rafael Wilderness boundary. There are firs and pines, meadows and rocky outcrops along the way. It is an excellent bicycling route.

Along McKinley road is the junction with the Big Cone Spruce trail which has a nice, shady camp along a creek (after quite a steep drop from the road). The Big Cone Spruce trail eventually meets up with the Manzana trail just beyond the Narrows camp, making this a possible loop or car shuttle back pack trip. The Big Cone Spruce trail does get quite overgrown with poison oak along the bottom portions, however. At the end of McKinley Road is the trail head to Mission Pine Springs and beyond, wonderful backpacking destinations, and the trail head to Santa Cruz Mountain and beyond.

The total round-trip mileage to McKinley Peak is about 20 miles, making this a strenuous hike. However, on the rainiest and most miserable and cold day imagineable a couple of 60+ year old women were observed jogging to McKinley Peak, a weekly ritual, so how hard could it be? (Famous last words, eh? Believe me those ladies are TOUGH.)

The total round trip mileage to Hell's Half Acre is about 12, and it's pretty tough, too.

The GPS waypoint information was donated by Alex Chernikov.

You will need an Adventure Pass to park at the trailhead.

Hell's Half Acre/McKinley Peak Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: January 4, 2007, 12:20 pm
by: bkraushaar

My brother and I biked to McKinley Peak on new years eve. Encountered a deer, and caught a glimpse of a mountain lion. (Very cool experience) About 3" base of snow for the last 3 miles of the trip. Great trip. Took 3 and a half hours to get up, and 1 and a half to come down! Gotta love that downhill section!

Posted: April 16, 2006, 9:25 pm
by: Chris Chirgwin

Hiked from Cachuma Saddle to McKinley Peak on Saturday, April 15. There are still some patches of snow around McKinley Springs. Although certain parts of the road are still pretty muddy, it was a beautiful day for a hike.

Posted: March 26, 2006, 5:39 pm
by: Jeff

Dayhiked to McKinley Springs yesterday in the rain. The campground is completely buried in snow still (1-2' in parts). Snow on the road from just past the Big Cone Spruce junction on through to San Rafael where the snow is deeper. If the current weather pattern holds, there will be snow on the north-facing slopes for at least two more weeks. Go hike and build a snowman!

Posted: March 5, 2006, 8:10 pm
by: Anonymous

Saturday, 4 March 2006, I day hiked to San Rafael Peak. The snow line was just below 5000 ft, so that would be just after Hells Half Acre, which means 10 miles in the snow. It was really nice though, clear skies and great views. Quite amusing to play in the snow in Santa Barbara County. Trail conditions past McKinley Saddle are fine and water available at McKinley Springs (pretty much year round I think).

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Posted: November 15, 2005, 12:10 pm
by: BSA Troop 42

Cachuma Saddle to McKinley Peak on 11 November 2005. Great graded road and now a cleared and marked trail to the top of McKinley Peak. There is stock and people tank water by the table near the spring 3.9 miles in. McKinley Spring Camp ( Cold Spring ) has superior tasting water for stock and people with a reservoir replenishment spring flow of about ¼ inches in diameter.

Posted: June 17, 2005, 8:48 am
by: Anonymous

the trail is really nice right now. I would definately suggest lots of bug spray and water, it gets hot up there!! It is a great escape from june gloom...clear skies as soon as you get into santa ynez! Watch out for cows and little road squirrels on the drive into the trail!!

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:35 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.