Nine Trails 35 Mile Endurance Run

Course Overview

The Santa Barbara Nine Trails 35 Mile Endurance Run is a point-to-point course that covers much of the Santa Barbara front country trail system. The route starts at the Jesusita Trailhead on San Roque Road and goes to the Romero Canyon Trailhead and back, totaling 35 miles. The course features significant elevation change, with over ten thousand vertical feet of gain and descent. It includes steep, rocky, and technical trails.

Course Details

Starting at the Jesusita Trailhead, the course climbs approximately four miles to Inspiration Point. It then descends a couple of miles to the Tunnel Trail, climbs that trail to the Rattlesnake Trail junction, and follows Rattlesnake to Gibraltar Road. Runners proceed about a mile down Gibraltar Road to the West Cold Spring Trailhead, then follow a long, steep downhill to the canyon bottom. After crossing a creek, the course climbs the east side of the Cold Spring Trail to the Hot Spring Connector junction (around mile twelve). The route continues to the bottom of the canyon, crosses San Ysidro Creek, and ascends a steep section known locally as "the wall" on the Edison Catwalk. It follows Catwalk Road to the Buena Vista Trail, which runs along a creek to the bottom of Romero Canyon. After crossing the creek, the route leads to the Romero Canyon Trailhead. Runners then turn around and retrace their steps back to the Jesusita Trailhead.

Aid Stations and Markings

The course is minimally marked with colored ribbon. Runners are advised to become acquainted with the trails beforehand and will be required to use a provided GPX digital map. Full aid stations are located at miles 9, 17, 26, 31, and the finish line. There are long sections between aid stations.

Logistics and Requirements

There is no parking at the start/finish area (Jesusita Trailhead, San Roque Road, or Gibraltar Road). Participants must arrange for drop-off and pick-up. The event is intended for experienced distance runners and is not crew and spectator friendly. The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. It includes aid on the course, a tech t-shirt, and finisher awards. The run will be timed, and results will be posted online.

Course Changes

While the event plans to run the traditional course, modifications may be necessary due to possible fire or flood damage, as directed by the US Forest Service.

The Nine Trails Half

A separate 18-mile fun run, the Nine Trails Half, is a non-competitive, out-and-back event. It starts at the Jesusita Trailhead and goes to the Gibraltar Road Aid Station and back. The start time is 9:00 AM, with a midday cutoff at the Gibraltar Road Aid Station turnaround. Registration includes a marked course, three aid stations, a t-shirt, a finisher award, and published results. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.