Access

Start by navigating to the intersection of Forest Service road 9N11 and Dry Canyon Road(34.785566, -119.571647). YOU MUST APPROACH FROM THE NORTH! Google maps will give you an alternate approach from the east, but this is a hiking trail and inaccessible to vehicles. From Santa Barbara, you can can go the western route(154>101>166) or the slightly faster eastern route(101>150>33). Either way, both routes converge at this point(34.897617, -119.542423). Continue south from here. 

At that intersection of Forest Service road 9N11 and Dry Canyon Road, take a left on Dry Canyon Road(Forest Route 7N04D) and follow this road to the summit of Cuyama Peak. The Cuyama Peak tower site (34.754262, -119.477335) is located at the final switchback of a two-mile spur road, running from Dry Canyon Road(Forest Route 7N04D) to the summit of Cuyama Peak. Dry Canyon Road(Forest Route 7N04D) is gated in two locations; both gates are owned by USFS.  There is a parking area (34.754113, -119.477111) at the summit of Cuyama Peak with room for multiple vehicles.

When we used a UTV, we parked the truck (and trailer) at the Dry Canyon Road intersection.  By UTV, the drive was straightforward – somewhat challenging by pickup!

Figure 1. Overview of site access and parking area

Photo 1. Looking West at the parking area and tower site.

Notes

• Primary contact:
  • Veronica Garza - Forest Service, Lands & Special Uses Officer 
    • veronica.garza@usda.gov
    •  805-967-3481 x213
• There is no cell service for most of this drive, but the satellite phone did mostly work (sometimes cut out).
• Access is a very long, rough, 4wd forest service road. Please do not attempt this drive unless you are comfortable with off-road driving
• Always visit this site with two 4wd vehicles. If one breaks down, you many need to temporarily abandon one and return to cell service to call for an offroad tow
• There is a Forest Service gate on the drive in that may be locked.  This lock was recently changed to a combination lock: 0507.
• We ran into Ranger Chris on 3/31 who says he is in the area often.  Also that the gate will be opened to the public on 1 May.

To Do

Power Y cable needed.

Site Photos

Taken 3/21

View from tower clockwise from N:

Soils:

Site: