Montecito Riding and Hiking Trails Association was organized in 1959

PURPOSE in 1964: To expand our trail system by acquiring and developing new trails in conformity with the Count General Plan of trails in the Montecito area. To preserve the old Indian and Spanish trails To encourage the County to improve and widen our road-shoulder trails for the safety of riders and hikers and children. To maintain the trails of the Montecito – Santa Barbara area in good condition providing healthful recreation for the young and old.

1968 – The Cynthia Woods trail was built

1970 – The 1st. Official MTF trails map (map Chairman, Norman Vincent)

1970 – We had 163 paid members

1971 – We had 171 paid members

1972 – We had 166 members

1972 – Romero Canyon connector trail built. It is from Edison towers down to the old campgrounds.

1972 – Old Saddlerock trail was reopened

1973 – We had 155 paid members.

1973 – In March the trail through Casa Dorinda was obtained executed and approved by the Board of Supervisors.

1973 – Robertson trail finished.

1973 – Ramsey Harris trail completed.

1973 – Si Jenkins, sponsor Fearing Trail: named after Colonel Fearing, in 1973 lived at 777 Romero Canyon. (Also know as Tupper-Fearing trail)

2000 – The Girard Trail was constructed

2002 – We had 1420 members

2003 – We had 1081 paid members

2003 – Our newly revised map was published in late October and distributed to all members in good standing.

2004 – MTF’s 40th Birthday. Posted new signs on 300 trails

2005 – Storm Damage. Huge amounts of damage to the MTF trails. Trails were washed away. MTF spent the year rebuilding.

2006 – George Collins Memorial Trail over the Buena Vista Water Company property will link the San Ysidro, Romero Canyon and Old Pueblo Trail *(from the 1968 annual letter)

Meeting places have been the Miramar Hotels, Garden Room and most recently the Big Yellow House.

PAST BOARD MEMBERS     Past Presidents* Jane Allen James Andros Peter Bakewell* *** Bob Bell* Connie Churchill Warren Churchill Cynthia Dabney Lincoln Dellar Vi Eaton Wilson Forbes Mrs. James Forsyth Campbell Grant Joyce Gribb Ellen Herman Milton Hill Dick Horton Richard Horton Steve Kirby Philip P. Kirst* Dorothy Kern Dick May Timothy McMahon Col. Logan T. McMenemy Barbara Mines Mrs. Robert R. Nye Suzanne Perkins Dee Pratt Mrs. Martha Riggs Ronald Robertson* Helen Rosenberger David Shiffman Susan Simpson Mrs. Robert Sinclair Leonard Tompkins Mrs. Kirby Tuppler Jr. Norman Vincent* Max Watkins* Jack Wilson Cynthia Wood Sam Zimmerman*   *** Peter Bakewell was president of both the Montecito Trails Foundation and the Montecito Association and was instrumental in physically establishing a trail system. He started with a couple of trails in the 1960’s. Trails south of Mountain Drive, like those named for the late Bakewell, are known as “community trails,” pleasant, neighborhood walks. Open to the public, county owned and well-marked with simple wood signs. Our current President is John K. Venable III, he has donated 10+ years to MTF, along with being on Boards such as, The Montecito Association, Montecito Fire Dept. M.E.R.R.A.G.