Cuyama Peak Trail climbs a long spur to the old lookout tower on Cuyama Peak. The lookout is not maintained and the road up to it sees correspondingly little maintenance, making it rougher than many other such lookout trails. The trail leaves California 33 at an unmarked intersection south of marked Ballinger Canyon Road. The sandy trail runs across a river flat before crossing the wide, sandy wash of the Cuyama River. It then joins the paved Santa Barbara Canyon Road. If the Cuyama River crossing is impassable for any reason, an alternative entry/exit to the trail can be found at the junction of Santa Barbara Canyon Road and California 166, a couple of miles east of New Cuyama. This route is longer but avoids the sandy river crossing. Special Attractions: Cuyama Peak Fire Lookout and shingle cabin; Rough, unmaintained shelf road climbing to Cuyama Peak; Popular trail for hunters (in season) and bird-watchers. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.