Midland School Trails

Grass Mountain • Maple Canyon • Lover’s Loop • Green Gate • High Country Trail

Photo Credit: Michael Ramsey Photo Credit: Ray Ford Photo Credit: Ray Ford About Midland Trail Facts

Midland School was founded in 1932 as a small, rural parking area a few hundred yards inside the gate and miles of Grass Mountain Trail Elevation Gain—150’ to top of short loop; 300’ to top of boarding school for grades 9−12. Offering a challenging jeep roads and open countryside for those on horseback to Distance—0.65 miles up the creek to crossing where you head ridge; 680’ to high point; 500’ elevation loss down to creek. college preparatory curriculum and experiential learning, explore. uphill; 1.65 miles to the top of the ridge; 2.65 miles to the top Difficulty—Easy to short loop; Moderate to end of Midland cultivates a strong work ethic rooted in community of Grass Mountain; 3.0 to Zaca Ridge. meadow; Moderately strenuous for the entire loop. and stewardship. Midland attracts and develops self- A mile further east on Figueroa Mountain Road, near the reliant and responsible students, who become effective bridge over Birabent Creek, you’ll spot the main parking area Elevation Gain—125’ along creek; 790’ to the ridge-top; 1000’ Hiking Safety and Etiquette leaders, partners, parents, employees, and citizens. In and entry point for those on foot. The main trail leads directly to base; 2380’ to top of Grass Mountain; 2550’ to Zaca Ridge. 2009, Midland was awarded a Governor’s Award for upstream towards Grass Mountain, with side trails into other Difficulty—Moderate to the ridge; hard core to the top. • Stay on the trails: taking shortcuts causes erosion. Environmental and Economic Leadership, California’s parts of the ranch offering a variety of loop hikes. The Santa highest environmental honor. Barbara County Trails Council has been extremely active in Maple Canyon Trail • Carry and drink plenty of water: a leading cause of injuries on the trail is dehydration. building new trails and improving existing ones to expand the Distance—0.65 miles up the creek to crossing; .8 miles to Red Midland School Property trail system even further. Rock Springs; .9 miles to the Senior Cutoff; 1.4 miles up canyon • Dogs must be on-leash. With Figueroa Mountain Road being the only paved road to High Country turnoff; 1.75 miles to start of High Country • Be prepared for sudden changes in weather and conditions. Use the map with the mileage and elevation information in the vicinity, Midland’s property contributes significantly Trail; 2.0 miles to end of the canyon. to one of the largest undeveloped and unfragmented described below to put together your own adventure. Combin- • Horses and mules have the right of way on trails. Elevation Gain—125’ along creek; 300’ to Senior Cutoff; 500’ to habitats in the mountains and foothills of Southern Califor- ing parts of several trails – Lover’s, Birabent Canyon, Red Rock • Do not litter. Pack out what you pack in. Leave no trace. Springs, Senior Cutoff, Maple Canyon, and High Country – you High Country intersection; 700’ to start of High Country Trail; nia. Midland School is forward-thinking and cares deeply • Trails are often steep. Travel carefully and at your own risk. about its land. By placing 95% of its 2,860 acres into a can piece together loop routes ranging from a bit over a half or 680’ to the end of Maple Canyon. conservation easement with The Land Trust for Santa mile in length to ones over 10 miles long. The ultimate experi- Difficulty—Moderately strenuous up the canyon; hard core via • Stay alert. The chaparral and mountainous terrain is home to bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, rattlesnakes, Barbara County, Midland has preserved its land forever. ence in the spring for those on foot is the trip up to Grass High Country loop which adds 425’ gain and 2.5 miles in length. and ticks. Midland makes 35 miles of private trails accessible to the Mountain when the poppies and lupine are in bloom. The public. Midland does not charge for use of its trails; views are always amazing. Green Gate Loop and High Country Trail • High Fire Hazard Area. All fires prohibited. No smoking! however, donations are greatly appreciated and help the Distance—2.5 miles for Jeep Loop; 1.25 miles from Green Gate • In case of emergency: Call 911 school to oversee the permit process and maintain public PERMITS REQUIRED to top of Jeep Loop; 1.8 miles to Red Rock Springs Trail; 1.85 access. To learn more about Midland or to make a gift to The Midland School trails are a private trail system opened to miles to “T” intersection; 2.3 miles west to High Country Loop; About the Santa Barbara County Trails Council help preserve the property, please email office@midland- the public through the generosity of the school. Permits must 3.2 miles to Coulter saddle; 3.9 miles down to Maple Connec- school.org, visit www.midland-school.org, or call 805. be obtained prior to heading out on the trails. Hikers must fill Founded in 1967, the Santa Barbara County Trails Council is a non-profit tor; 3.7 miles back to “T”; 5.55 back to Green Gate. 688.5114. out a permit and parking pass at the trail heads, where permit advocacy group that supports nature-based recreation and enhancement boxes are located. Horseback riders must make a trail ride Elevation Gain—379’ to top of Jeep Loop; 700’ to “T” intersec- of the Santa Barbara County trail system for safe shared use by everyone. The organization advocates for the conservation of natural spaces in order Midland School Trails reservation at least 48 hours in advance of their visit by email- tion; 1150’ to Coulter Saddle; 2300’ to top of Coulter Pine Ridge. to create opportunities for the expansion a county-wide network of multi- Midland School has made two entry points for the trail ing [email protected]. Permission to ride will be Difficulty—Moderate for Jeep Loop; Strenuous to High County use trails for recreation. The Trails Council provides guidance and effective network available to the public ON FOOT and HORSE- granted via email with detailed instructions. Midland does not Loop; Hard Core to top of Coulter Pine Ridge. management for trail planning, construction and maintenance projects. BACK ONLY. Mountain biking is NOT permitted on accept trail ride requests by phone. The Midland School trail system is maintained by the Trails Council. Green Gate Midland’s trails. The first is known as the Lover’s Loop Trail trailhead and is located at the east edge of what was SANTA BARBARA COUNTY Distance—0.8 miles for short loop; 1.2 miles to end of meadow; formerly Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. This trail- Trails Council head is popular with equestrians, as there is an excellent 2.7 miles across and down to the creek; 3.65 miles for entire loop. http://midland-school.org/ http://sbtrails.org/ 3000 0

3 2 3 3250 2500 000 3500 2750 Midland School Trails 3668' 3250 2000

Zaca Lake 3250 Trail 1.3 2750 Za c a 4250 P e a k Restricted Access 2250 3750 43 4 7 ' 3500 Permits are Required 4000

A conservation agreement to forever F o r e s t protect and preserve the Midland 3750 1750 Coulter Pine Ranch trail network and surrounding Ridge area exists between Midland School 3000 and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara G r a s s County. The ranch continues to be .28 1.33 Mo u nt a i n 2500 private property and permission to 38 8 5 '

Los Padres 3250 access the trails is limited and can be revoked at any time. To ensure future High Forest public access please stay on the trails Maple Country Connector and respect the natural resources. .73 .43 Loop

.34 3250

.11 Grass Mtn Trail

.47 .48 .47 Cabin Maple Canyon B o u n d a r y Private Property .28 Trail .99 Please Stay Out Sr. Cabin Cutoff B i r a b e n t .1

.88 C a ny o n Green Gate .84 .17 2000 Equestrian .92 Red Rock Jeepways C a ny o n 1750Spgs Trail

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Midland B i r a b e n t .25 Lover's Lane School1500 Loop Trail 1.64 .33

Trails .29 Birabent 2250 M o u n t a i n .53 CynTrail 2500 2500 .62 R o a d .34 F i g u e r o a .33 Connector Trail Head Green Gate .33 .43

.81 Equestrian Jeepway Trail Head MIDLAND TRAILS Hiking Trail Lover’s Lane Sedgwick Preserve 2250 Hiking-Equestrian Trail 1250 Please Stay Out 0.30.15 0 0.3 Miles 2250 2750 Off-Trail Route Los Padres Trails

2000 Map Designed by Ray Ford 2015

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1750 Trail network constructed and maintained by the Santa Barbara County Trails Council. Maps available at http://sbtrails.org/get-maps/ .04 .36