1959 I The Montecito Riding and Hiking Trails Association of California was organized.

 

1964 I The Montecito Trails Foundation (MTF) was formed to:

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• Preserve historic trails of the Chumash people and Spanish settlers in southern Santa Barbara County

• Acquire and develop new trails per requirements of the Santa Barbara County General Plan

• Maintain and improve existing trails for public use

• Partner with Santa Barbara County to widen trails for public safety

 

1968 I The Cynthia Woods trail is built.

 

1970 I The first official MTF trails map (map Chairman, Norman Vincent) is printed, and 163 members join.

 

1972 I The Romero Canyon connector trail is built, from the So Cal Edison towers down to the old campgrounds.

 

1972 I Old Saddlerock trail is reopened.

 

1973 I The Association reaches 155 members.

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1973 I In March the trail through Casa Dorinda was approved by the County Board of Supervisors, and recorded.

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1973 I The Robertson trail is completed.

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1973 I The Ramsey Harris trail is completed.

 

1973 I Si Jenkins sponsors Fearing Trail (aka Tupper-Fearing trail), named after Colonel Fearing, who lived at 777 Romero Canyon.

 

2000 I The Girard Trail is constructed.

 

2002 I The Foundation reaches 1420 members.

 

2003 I The Foundation reaches 1081 members.

 

2003 I The "vintage" MTF map is published.

 

2004 I MTF’s 40th birthday! New signs posted.

 

2005 I Severe storm damage. MTF spends most of 2006 rebuilding washed out trails.

 

2006 I The George Collins Memorial Trail over the Buena Vista Water Company property links the San Ysidro, Romero Canyon, and Old Pueblo Trail.

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2017 I The Thomas Fire, California's largest wildfire to date, ravaged the MTF trail system.

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2018 I The 1/9 Debris Flow further damaged the landscape, scouring the creeks to bedrock and depositing debris throughout the community and it's trail system. The forest was closed for months, while everyone tried to find their feet and a place to start restoration. 

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2019 I Extensive trail repair continued, highlights included the re-opening of the Cold Spring Trails and new community trails with the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade.

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2020 I The establishment of the Montecito Trails Foundation Trail Care Fund, a promise to the community of continued trail stewardship.

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2021 I The NEW MTF Trail Map is published.

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