This hike begins from the top of Cold Spring Trail on East Camino Cielo known as the Cold Spring Saddle. There is a sign indicating the trail across the street from the graffiti-covered cement water tower.

The trailhead is just about 30 minutes from downtown via Gibraltar Road which makes for a nice day hike location that is not in the Front Country.

Hiking to Forbush Flat is a pretty easy downhill trail that is partially shaded and well-maintained. It can get hot once the sun is out so a morning departure is probably a good idea.

Named after Frederick Forbush, the once-homestead-now-camp is located next to Gidney Creek. While dry for us today, it can be a source of water during wetter months. Forbush planted some apple, pear, and olive trees in the area that are actually still fruitful during the proper seasons.

The camp itself has two well-shaded sites with picnic tables and fire rings.

Cold Spring Trail continues toward Mono, but we headed in the direction of Blue Canyon along Forbush Trail which takes you to Cottam Camp.

This was my favorite section of the trail, and one that I’d never hiked before. There was a nice set of switchbacks which were great fun on the way down, but a nice challenge on the way back up.

Closing in to Cottam, we were almost fooled into thinking a fairly disappointing clearing with a fire ring was the destination. Forbush Creek did run next to it and offered the only running water for the day, so it wasn’t all bad.

A quick jaunt further put us directly into the large meadow that holds Cottam Camp. Others have indicated that this place can be quite lush and beautiful in Spring and Fall, but the conditions were dusty and dry.

The campsite had a picnic table and fire ring and is decently shaded. We also came across an old rusted out ice can stove a little ways away from the campsite here, as well as at Forbush Flat. Jack Elliot explains what they are here.

After a quick break we headed back to where we started and up some 1800′ in elevation gain. With the incline being the second half of the hike, you get the already-nice hike has the additional benefit of ending the journey at the top of the mountain with great views of Santa Barbara and the coastline.

trailhead

view from the trail. the meadow at Cottam is in distance on the right.

upper camp

lower camp

junction toward cottam via forbush trail

switchbacks

forbush creek

a clearing with a fire ring

meadow

cottam camp

view from cold spring saddle