SCE ready to repair damage along trail to Inspiration Point

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Hikers who want to trek up to Inspiration Point may want to do it soon as Southern California Edison has plans to close a good portion of the trail for repairs that could take six months.

SCE spokesperson Gabriela Ornelas said workers hired by the energy giant will restore unintended damage caused by crews doing maintenance work along the Mission Canyon access road in 2019.

Hikers and dog walkers including Jan Wienphal have noticed the damage.

"They ruined the creek bed and the waterfall up at the end of this paved park and they have ruined a bunch of native plants. And now what they are doing is, you know, taking six months to clean up what they did, the illegal mess they made before, that is what really gets my goat," said Wienphal.

Some, including Millennia Gamez and Leonel Quevas of Simi Valley, heard about the area on TikToc.

"He actually found it on TikTok, we thought it was really great trail. We were there for an hour and had a really great time."

"A full closure means there will be no public entry from the Inspiration Point trailhead from the top of Tunnel Road through the construction period," said Ornelas. "The full closure is necessary because this will be involving heavy equipment and that is a hazard to the general public."

"It is kind of sad because this is the most frequent trail that I visit," said Rose Gonzales, a hiker.

People who live in the area may not mind fewer cars parked along Tunnel Road but will miss access to a favorite trail.

SCE still needs a Land Use permit from Santa Barbara County to move forward with the project.

They won't be able to confirm a start date without a permit.