SoCal Edison to Close Tunnel Trail as Part of Mission Canyon Stream Restoration Project

UPDATE by the edhat staff
July 11, 2024

The Tunnel Trail closure, necessary to preserve public and employee safety during the construction period, is projected to begin Thursday, July 25, and will occur in one or more phases for up to six months.

Please note the shift from a previously shared July 9 start date, as we continue to work closely with our partners to prepare for the remediation work.

Signage is posted in the Mission Canyon area to notify hikers about the Tunnel Trail closure. No other front country trails will be closed due to the Stream Restoration Project.

Originally reported by the edhat staff
July 5, 2024

Southern California Edison’s priority is the safety of its customers, team members and the communities it serves. Our commitment to safety and the environment is at the core of the Mission Canyon Stream Restoration Project.

The Stream Restoration Project is aimed at repairing damage and restoring the environment in Mission Canyon, where road grading and vegetation management by SCE crews generated unintended environmental impacts in Mission Creek in 2019.

We are committed to completing all remediation work and restoring impacted areas of Mission Canyon in close coordination with city, county and environmental regulatory agencies. As a result, some nearby trails will need to be temporarily closed for approximately six months.

UPON ITS COMPLETION, THE STREAM RESTORATION PROJECT WILL RESULT IN:

• Removal of rocks and debris
• Restoration of stream hydrology, habitats and ecosystems
• Stabilization of creek banks and slopes
• Remediation of impacted trees and woodland areas
• Rehabilitation of sensitive species populations

Temporary FULL CLOSURE of sections of Tunnel Trail, Mission Canyon Catway Trail, and Jesusita Trail is projected to begin on July 9, 2024 and will occur in one or more phases for up to six months due to the construction for the Stream Restoration Project.

Construction will require a temporary closure of lower Tunnel Trail from the Inspiration Point trailhead at the end of Tunnel Road.

A temporary full closure is necessary to preserve public and employee safety during the construction period. No other front country trails will be closed due to the Stream Restoration Project.

FULL CLOSURE OF TRAIL

NEARBY RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Trails

• Jesusita
• Upper Tunnel
• Rattlesnake Canyon
• Arroyo Burro Trail South

Beaches

• Arroyo Burro County Beach
• Goleta Beach Park
• Leadbetter Beach
• East Beach
• West Beach

Parks and Open Space

• Douglas Family Park
• Elings Park
• Sheffield Open Space
• Parma Park

Other Recreational Opportunities

• Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
• Santa Barbara Zoo

For more information about the Stream Restoration Project and other recreational resources, including more details on other nearby hiking opportunities in the Santa Barbara area: call the Mission Canyon SCE Information Line at 805-654-7223 or visit: sce.com/MissionCanyon

You can find more information about the project and recreational resources available in the Santa Barbara area at our website: www.sce.com/missioncanyon.