Songs of the Wilderness

Posted by: James Wapotich | November 14, 2011

Trail Quest: Agua Caliente Canyon

One of the nicer hikes in our area can be found along the Caliente Trail just past Agua Caliente Hot Springs. And while the hot springs themselves see many visitors few people venture any further up the canyon. The hot springs are located in the backcountry behind Santa Barbara and in the fall the colors of the canyon can be quite spectacular. The trail for the first few miles is fairly easy to follow and as an added bonus you can top off the hike with a soak in the hot springs. The hike to Upper Caliente Camp along the Caliente Trail is about 5 miles round trip, and the canyon as well as remnants of the old trail continue further still for additional exploring.

Agua Caliente Hot Springs Canyon Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Hike Trail

Agua Caliente Canyon

To get to the the trailhead find your way to Gibraltar Road in the foothills behind Santa Barbara and follow it to East Camino Cielo Road. At East Camino Cielo turn right and continue along the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Along the way you’ll enjoy views of both the coast and on a clear day the Channel Islands on one side, and the San Rafael Mountains on the other. At Romero Saddle East Camino Cielo transitions into the Romero-Camuesa Road and begins its journey down the backside of the mountains towards the Santa Ynez River. There is no sign at the this transition, but from this point on the road is no longer paved, and while one does not need a 4-wheel drive vehicle it is a long and at times bumpy road. Because the forest service often closes this road at the turnoff for the Divide Peak OHV road when it rains, it’s best to check with them first to see if it’s open.

Eventually the Romero-Camuesa Road crosses the Santa Ynez River near Juncal Dam and then slowly starts to level out until you arrive at a signed intersection. Here, near Pendola Station, you’ll want to turn right onto what’s called Big Caliente Road as it makes it way up Agua Caliente Canyon. Big Caliente Road dead ends at the Agua Caliente or Big Caliente Hot Springs and so these are also the same directions for the hot springs. Total drive time from Santa Barbara is about an hour and a half.

Agua Caliente Hot Springs

There is no camping allowed right at the hot springs, however on the drive in you’ll pass Rock Campground along Big Caliente Road which has two campsites. And if you double back to the intersection at Pendola Station and turn right onto the Romero-Camuesa Road it crosses Agua Caliente Creek and almost immediately on your left you’ll see the turn off for Middle Santa Ynez Campground. Middle Santa Ynez is large site situated under the oak trees along the Santa Ynez River and has 9 campsites to choose from. An adventure pass is required to park or camp within the Los Padres National Forest.

At the hot springs you’ll find a large pool right by the parking area that has recently been renovated by volunteers, from here continue up the canyon to where the trail begins. The sign at the trailhead lays out the scope of the trail, which at one time went all the way past La Carpa Potrero and connected up with Potrero Seco Road. The trail however is not maintained much past Upper Caliente Camp.

Just past this sign you may notices several sides trails down to the creek. These lead to the two smaller pools which are the hotter compliment to the main pool found at the parking area. From here the trail continues upstream towards Agua Caliente Dam. The dam was built back in the 1930s and the basin behind the dam is now completely filled with silt. Such basins are ideal for Cottonwood trees.

Agua Caliente Dam

At about the half mile mark the trail arrives at the dam which at one time had a great swim hole at its base before being filled in with silt from the 2007 Zaca Fire. From here the trail continues past the dam and through the Cottonwoods. Over the years the trail through this area has improved, however if you do get turnaround it’s helpful to remember that you’re traversing a small basin and that eventually the edge of the basin on your right, the trail and the creek all converge at which point the trail can be re-found. There is still water along some stretches of the trail but it starts to become intermittent the further up the canyon one travels.

At about the one mile mark the trail transitions out of the Cottonwoods and the canyon begins to open up, offering views of golden meadows and grassy hillsides dotted with chaparral. The canyon continues to provide such views all the way to Upper Caliente Camp and beyond with each new turn in the canyon offering another great view.

From this first transition you’ll want to start counting creek crossings, so that when you come to the third crossing you’ll recognize it. Just below Upper Caliente Camp is a rock formation that crosses the creek and creates a natural pool. At this third crossing you may notice a side trail that continues along the creek which leads to the pool. And although the pool is much smaller now with silt from the Zaca Fire it’s still worth visiting.

Oasis Agua Caliente Hot Springs Canyon Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Hike

Pool below Upper Caliente Camp

The Caliente Trail continues above the creek, past the rock formation and then drops down into the natural basin created by the rock formation. From the trail you can make out the remnants of Upper Caliente Camp across the creek. The camp was burned in the Zaca Fire and in fact represents a transition point as everything upstream past the camp was burned in the fire while everything downstream was spared. The benches at the camp have been restored by volunteers, but the metal legs from the picnic table still remain as a stark reminder of the fire’s damage.

From here one can continue exploring the canyon upstream. The trail continues and although it is overgrown, mostly with Star Thistle, and becomes indistinct it is still relatively easy to find a route. And there are enough remnants of the trail along the way to find a sense of encouragement. From Upper Caliente Camp the canyon leads through several more turns each with impressive views and the water improves the further upstream you travel. At about the 4 mile mark you’ll reach an improvised campsite which can make for a good return point. Here what’s left of the trail begins to climb out of the canyon and continues towards La Carpa Potrero.

Agua Caliente Hot Springs Canyon Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Hike

Agua Caliente Canyon past Upper Caliente Camp

Regardless of how far you go you will get to see some incredible scenery and even have a chance to enjoy one of the few hot springs found in Santa Barbara County.

This article originally appeared in section A of the Sunday, November 13th, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Back Country Trails, Trail Reports

Posted by: James Wapotich | November 4, 2011

Trail Quest: Zaca Ridge

There are a surprising number of trails to explore in the area between Figueroa Mountain Road and Zaca Ridge. These trails are found on the property owned by Midland School, but are open to public provided hikers obtain a hiking permit at Midland. The lower trails through the foothills and along Alamo Pintado Creek offer a wide variety of scenery and are accessible to almost all ages and can make for some nice day hikes. There is also a way to hike to Zaca Ridge and back making a large loop. The hike to Zaca Ridge is challenging and is not recommended for first time hikers.

Zaca Lake Ridge Trail Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Hike

Zaca Lake seen from the Zaca Ridge Trail

To get to the trailhead, from Los Olivos, take Figueroa Mountain Road and head north towards Midland School, 5100 Figueroa Mountain Road. In order to hike you will need to fill out a one day hiking permit at Midland. Turn into the campus and cross the bridge, there you will see a metal box on a post with the hiking permits. From Midland School continue a short way further along Figueroa Mountain Road. Just before the road crosses Alamo Pintado Creek and begins its climb towards Figueroa Mountain there is a large pullout on the right for parking. From here continue on foot along the road, across the creek and to the right about 100 yards to the signed trail head.

The trail then follows Alamo Pintado Creek, which still has some water in it. As with the drive from Midland and along much of the first part of the trail you’ll easily recognize Grass Mountain in the distance. Grass Mountain rises to almost 3,900 feet with much of its front face covered in wild grasses, visible to the left is Zaca Ridge. In contrast the trail starts at about 1,300 feet. This section of the trail through Birabent Canyon is some of the more scenic with its mix of riparian plants and pines and passes near where the Chumash village of Soxtonokmu was located. [For a map of the trails scroll down to the bottom of the post]

Grass Mountain Zaca Ridge Midland Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Hike

View of Grass Mountain from the trail

At about the half mile mark the trail crosses Alamo Pintado Creek and then branches. The noticeable landmark at this crossing is a large Sycamore tree. The trail around the left side of the Sycamore tree climbs out of the canyon and ultimately towards Coulter Pine Ridge which is the first part of the Zaca Ridge loop. The trail to the right continues upstream, passing the return trail from Grass Mountain and about a quarter mile later branches with one trail exploring still further up Birabent Canyon and the other looping back around to Figueroa Mountain Road. This smaller loop, about 2.25 miles involves walking back to the trailhead along Figueroa Mountain Road for the last quarter mile.

From this intersection continue uphill until you come to a noticeable rocky ridge, here the trail slowly splits off in two directions with the trail to the right crossing the ridge and continuing north into Maple Canyon and the trail to the left paralleling the ridge before continuing on towards Coulter Pine Ridge. From here the trail continues uphill, eventually crossing a small wash and arriving at a dirt road. Here the trail branches again with the trail to the right heading back down into Maple Canyon, which can make for a nice loop hike back to Alamo Pintado Creek.

From the road the trail to Coulter Pine Ridge continues uphill to the left and offers some nice views of the Santa Ynez Valley. At about the 1.5 mile mark the trail arrives at small saddle. Here the hike to Zaca Ridge becomes much more challenging. The trail becomes less distinct as you basically follow the ridge line continuing uphill the rest of the way until it connects with Zaca Ridge. At the top of the first rise you will be able to make out a route along this connector ridge towards Zaca Ridge and at about the 2.5 mile mark you leave the Midland property and enter the Los Padres National Forest. This hike is not for inexperienced hikers.

Coutler Pine Zaca Ridge Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Hike

The trail to Coulter Pine Ridge

The hike along the connector ridge is steep and the trail becomes more overgrown the closer to the top you get. At about the 3 mile mark you reach Zaca Ridge. From here continue east along Zaca Ridge. The trail is overgrown but flagged and is easiest to follow along the south side of the ridge. About a quarter mile later the trail arrives at a signed intersection, with the trail to the left heading down towards Zaca Lake which is privately owned and not open to visitors. The hike continues east along Zaca Ridge with the trail becoming an easier to follow narrow lane through the chaparral as it travels along the north face of Zaca Ridge offering some great views of Zaca Lake.

At the about the 4.25 mile mark the Zaca Ridge Trail reaches a small saddle where you’ll find a second trail sign. From here turn right heading towards Grass Mountain. The Zaca Ridge Trail continues east towards Zaca Peak and eventually connects with Zaca Ridge Road which is an alternate way to access the Zaca Ridge Trail. From this intersection you are essentially hiking towards the back of Grass Mountain. At about the 5 mile mark you’ll arrive at Grass Mountain and enjoy sweeping views of Coulter Pine Ridge, Figueroa Mountain and the Santa Ynez Valley.

Coulter Pine Zaca Ridge Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Hike

View towards Zaca Ridge from Grass Mountain

From the the top of Grass Mountain it is a steep descent back down to the Midland property and into Birabent Canyon. At about the 6.5 mile mark the trail arrives at Alamo Pintado Creek, making the whole loop about 7 miles. If you plan to hike to Zaca Ridge and back allow yourself the whole day and bring plenty of water.

Midland School was founded in 1932 and is unique among boarding schools in that it actively incorporates the land into its curriculum, a number classes including the sciences and art are taught in part on the land. It is this connection to and awareness of ones local environment that can become the foundation for both self-reliance and a greater understanding of the world around us. In 2009 Midland School with the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and the Trust for Public Land created a conversation easement to preserve the Midland property in perpetuity.

Grass Mountain

There are also several trails on the property that are open horseback riding, for permission and more information about the horse trails contact Midland School directly. For more information about Midland School visit www.midland-school.org.

Regardless of how far you hike you’ll will get to see some of the remarkable scenery of this part of Santa Barbara County and may even be inspired to return for another visit to explore more of the area.

This article originally appeared in section A of the November 4th, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Back Country Trails, Trail Reports

Posted by: James Wapotich | October 24, 2011

Trail Quest: Romero Canyon

If you’re looking for a front country trail that generally has fewer visitors as well as several options for creating a loop hike then Romero Canyon may be the answer. Romero Canyon is currently the farthest east of the front country trails behind Montecito and Carpinteria and like many of those trails, the Romero Canyon Trail follows one of the canyons along the coast, connecting the foothills with the ridge line of the Santa Ynez Mountains. What makes Romero Canyon unique is that in addition to the trail one can also hike along the old Romero Canyon Road which follows a different path through this same canyon. These two routes cross midway through the canyon forming a sort of figure eight loop. The hike along the full loop is about 11 miles and offers some great views of both the canyon and the coast.

Romero Canyon Creek Trail Santa Barbara Hike Los Padres National Forest Santa Ynez Mountiains

Pool along Romero Creek

To get to the trailhead, take Highway 101 to the Sheffield Drive exit, turn right on N. Jameson Lane and then left onto Sheffield Drive which dead ends into East Valley Road. Turn left on to East Valley Rd. and follow it for just a short way to Romero Canyon Road on your right. Take Romero Canyon Road as it winds its way and dead ends in to Bella Vista Drive, turn right onto Bella Vista which then quickly crosses Romero Creek and arrives at the trailhead. Parking is found along the road. One can also start at the top along East Camino Cielo Road and hike the whole loop or just the top half.

From the trailhead, continue past the locked gate following the old Romero Canyon Road. The road crosses the creek along a concrete bridge and shortly thereafter branches. The road to left heads up to the power lines and the saddle overlooking neighboring Buena Vista Canyon. Stay to the right, and continue a short way to the next creek crossing. Here the Romero Canyon Trail begins, while the road continues and the two meet up later on forming the lower half of the figure eight.

Romero Canyon Santa Barbara Hike Los Padres National Forest Santa Ynez Mountains Trail

View from the old Romero Canyon Road

The trail follows Romero Creek through mostly riparian plants, is well shaded and has a surprising number of trees for such a narrow creek. The trail like many of our front country trails is well maintained and easy to follow and crosses the creek several times. The water is still cool and clear. About halfway up, the trail moves off the main creek and follows a side creek that is now dry and then at the 2.25 mile mark arrives at the old Romero Canyon Road.

This 4-way intersection represents the first of several loop hike opportunities. From here one can head back down the road for a shorter loop hike of 6.5 miles, or of course just hike back down the along the creek, about 4.5 miles.

From here the Romero Canyon Trail continues another mile towards the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The trail at first seems steeper and more overgrown but then both levels out some and becomes less brushy. It’s also here that the trail starts to feel more remote as still fewer people hike this section.

Historically the Romero Canyon Trail or a similar route was used by the Chumash to travel to and from the backcountry and then later this route was used by homesteaders to access Blue Canyon and the Upper Santa Ynez River. In the 1930s with the construction of Juncal Dam and the creation of Jameson Reservoir there became a need for an access road back to the dam. It was then that the Romero Canyon Road was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp. The road led up to Romero Saddle and then continued, as it does today, down the backside of the mountains to Jameson Lake. It is this same road that now forms part of the trails through Romero Canyon.

Romero Canyon Trail Santa Barbara HIke Los Padres National Forest Santa Ynez Mountains

View from Romero Saddle towards Carpinteria

Romero Saddle represents a transition point along East Camino Cielo, here East Camino Cielo Road ends and the Romero-Camuesa Road begins. And whereas East Camino Cielo is paved and follows the ridge line along the Santa Ynez Mountains, the Romero-Camuesa Road is unpaved and continues down the backside of the mountains.

At the 3.25 mile mark the Romero Canyon Trail meets the Ocean View Trail, about a half mile east of Romero Saddle and arrive at another 4-way intersection. From here the Romero Canyon Trail continues north along a small creek, crosses the Romero-Camuesa Road and heads down into Blue Canyon. The Ocean View trail runs east west along the ridge line of the Santa Ynez Mountains picking up where East Camino Cielo leaves off and eventually connects with the Divide Peak OHV Route. From this 4-way intersection, turn left, and hike westward along the Ocean View Trail towards Romero Saddle and the cement water tower that is visible from the trail.

Just past the water tower, along East Camino Road, the old Romero Canyon Road starts its journey back down to the trailhead. This part of the hike offers some exceptional views. The road takes a more circuitous route than the trail and as it winds around the first hill on its descent offers some nice views of San Ysidro Canyon, if you look closely you can even see the upper reaches of the San Ysidro Trail. Then as the road continues it offers expansive views of the coast, particularly from the Santa Barbara Harbor to the Carpinteria Salt Marsh. And on a clear day you can see out to the Channel Islands.

Hiking along this stretch of trail I often found myself reflecting on a time when such trails and roads were the only way into the backcountry. Areas that are now easily reachable by car in few hours were in themselves a full day’s journey from town, making the backcountry trails even more remote.

Ocean View Trail Romero Canyon Trail Santa Barbara Hike Los Padres National Forest Santa Ynez Mountains

View from the Ocean View Trail

At the 6.5 mile mark the road arrives back at that first 4-way intersection where it meets the Romero Canyon Trail. These two routes make from a good contrast in that the Romero Canyon Trail, following the creek, leads through mostly riparian plants while the road leads mostly through chaparral. The road itself is open and clear most of the way making for some good mountain biking and from that 4-way intersection continues back down to the first creek crossing where the Romero Canyon Trail starts and then back to the trailhead.

Regardless of how far you go you will get to see some nice scenery and maybe even sense the slower pace at which the world once moved.

This article originally appeared in section A of the October 24th, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Front Country Trails, Montecito/Summerland, Santa Ynez Mountains, Trail Reports

Posted by: James Wapotich | October 17, 2011

Trail Quest: Pelican Bay

If you only have one day to visit the Channel Islands and want to see some of the best of what Santa Cruz Island has to offer then the hike to Pelican Bay may be the answer. Located on the northern side of Santa Cruz Island the trail to Pelican Bay leads through one of the more wooded areas on the island and offers a sense of what the island must’ve looked like when the Chumash lived there. Many of the plants and animals here are found nowhere else in the world, including the Santa Cruz Island Jay. The hike to Pelican Bay from the landing at Prisoner’s Harbor is about 4.5 miles roundtrip.

Prisoner's Harbor Santa Cruz Island Xaxas Channel Pelican Bay Barbara HIke

Prisoner's Harbor seen from the trail to Pelican Bay

There are several ways to get to Santa Cruz Island. Probably the easiest is with Island Packers out of Ventura as they offer regularly scheduled boat trips to all five of the islands within the Channel Islands National Park. The boat ride is about an hour and often includes dolphin and whale sightings depending on the time of year.

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands and along with the rest of the Southern California was part of Spain’s holdings in the new world. Following the war for Mexican Independence, the island became part of a Mexican land grant and was then later purchased by an American, William Barron.

In the late 1880s Santa Cruz Island came under the ownership Justinian Caire and following his death the island was divided up amongst his heirs. The eastern quarter of the island remained with the Caire Family while the bulk of the island was sold to the Stanton Family. Roughly a hundred years later that same division defines Santa Cruz Island. In 1987 with the passing of Carey Stanton the western 76% of the island became part of the land managed by the Nature Conservancy and in 1997 the National Parks Service acquired the last of the land owned by Gherini family, descendants of Justinian Caire, and the eastern 24% of the island became part of the Channel Islands National Park.

Pelican Bay Santa Cruz Island Channel National Park Hike

Scenery along the trail to Pelican Bay

Because Pelican Bay is on land owned by the Nature Conservancy hikers must be accompanied by a docent from Island Packers. Private boat owners may also obtain a permit from the Nature Conservancy to land and hike. The docents from Island Packers are exceedingly knowledgable. The docent who lead our hike knew not only a great deal about the the natural flora and fauna, but the Chumash and island history as well.

If you’re there for the day you’ll have about about 4-5 hours of time on the island, which depending on the size and pace of the group is generally enough time to hike to Pelican Bay and back. And although it is a docent lead hike no one is required to hike the whole way as you can turn back at any time and return to the harbor where there are shaded picnic tables and restrooms. You can also hike around the part of the island that is within the National Park without a guide at any time. There is no water available on this part of the island so you will need to bring enough for the day. You will also want to bring a lunch.

Pelican Bay

The hike to Pelican Bay starts from the boat landing at Prisoner’s Harbor and continues along the estuary of Canada del Puerto, passing the Magazine or warehouse that was built as part of the ranching operation and used to store goods. This site is also near where the Chumash village of Xaxas was located, which was one of the main Chumash population centers on the island.

The trail then passes onto Nature Conservancy land and climbs to a small lookout before continuing west along the coast. It is here that scenery really starts to open up. While much of eastern Santa Cruz Island is grassy and has sparser vegetation as a result of ranching and farming, this portion of the island remains much as it always has. Here you’ll find oaks, pine, toyon, manzanita and many of the plants that you’d find in the Santa Barbara backcountry. A number of these plants are now endemic, that is unique to just the Channel Islands. And while some of these plants were brought by the Chumash, most arrived on their own crossing the channel by one means or another.

Santa Cruz Island Jay

Because of this variety and density of plants along this section of the island it is also an ideal place to see the Santa Cruz Island Jay. The Santa Cruz Island Jay is brighter in color and third larger in size than its ancestor, the scrub jay found on the mainland. Its size and success the result of the lack of predators and competition which has allowed it to exploit a much wider range of habitat.

The trail passes through no less than five canyons on its way to Pelican Bay, offering both striking views of the coast and a rich variety of scenery as one descends into and hikes out of each new canyon. Along the way you may also notice little signs with numbers on them dispersed along the trail. These were once part of a self-guided botanical tour highlighting the various the plants along the trail.

Ironwood Santa Cruz Island Channel Islands National Park Hike Pelican Bay

Canyon along Pelican Bay with a grove of Ironwood trees on the left

At about the 1-mile mark the trail arrives at one of the more impressive canyons and a sign marked #11. At first it’s difficult to tell what the sign is associated with, but as our docent pointed out, across the canyon is a grove of Ironwood trees. Ironwood trees at one time were found along much of the Pacific Coast, ranging as far north as Washington State and inland as far as Nevada. They thrived in a time when Western North America was a much wetter place than it is today. The Ironwood is now found only on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands and typically only in North facing canyons.

At the 2.25 mile mark the trail climbs out of the last of the canyons and overlooks Pelican Bay. The bay forms a natural harbor and is often filled with sailboats from the mainland. There is no beach at Pelican Bay, however right next door is a cute little cobblestone beach no more than 100 feet across called Tinker’s Cove. So named, as our docent shared, because Peter Pan was filmed there in the 1920s back when Santa Barbara was also known for its film studios.

Tinker's Cove

Regardless how for you go you will have a chance to see some great scenery and sense some of the rich history that makes these islands a world of their own.

This article originally appeared in section A of the October 17th, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Channel Islands, Trail Reports

Posted by: James Wapotich | October 9, 2011

Trail Quest: Blue Canyon

If you’re looking for a trail that’s relatively close to town, that few people visit and feels as timeless as the woods itself, then the trail through Blue Canyon may be the answer. Just 45 minutes from Santa Barbara, Blue Canyon runs east to west behind the Santa Ynez Mountains, includes several trail camps and is a great place to explore the Santa Barbara backcountry. The hike to Cottam Camp along Blue Canyon is about 9 miles round trip.

To get to the trailhead find your way to Gibraltar Road in the foothills behind Santa Barbara and take Gibraltar Road to East Camino Cielo, turning right onto East Camino Cielo. On a clear day, this part of the drive offers expansive views of the Pacific Coast and the Channel Islands on one side and the San Rafael Mountains on the other. East Camino Cielo continues along the spine of the Santa Ynez Mountains and arrives at Romero Saddle behind Carpinteria where it does several things. It ceases to be paved, becoming a dirt road, which at times can be quite bumpy, although the road has just been recently been graded and so is not too bad right now. The road changes names becoming the Romero-Camuesa Road (although there is no sign) and then winds its way down back side of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Because the Forest Service will often close this road when it rains you’ll want to check with the Forest Service to see if it is open.

Blue Canyon Trail Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike

Blue Canyon looking west

Just before the trailhead for Blue Canyon the Romero-Camuesa Road crosses a very short bridge and starts to climb back uphill, the trailhead is almost immediately on your left after the bridge. Here the road also widens a bit and parking is found along the road. An Adventure Pass is recommended. You’ll know if you’ve gone too far as the road continues over Blue Canyon Pass and then downhill eventually crossing the Santa Ynez River.

From the trailhead the Blue Canyon Trail heads almost due west and can appear overgrown at first, but for the most part the trail is passable and there are even sections of the trail that are in excellent condition. The first part of the trail is somewhat open until it reaches the first creek crossing, but from then on is mostly shady as the trail follows the creek much of the way.

Scrub Jay Blue Canyon Trail Santa Ynez Mountains Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike

Blue Canyon Creek is often dry this time of year, but with all the rain we’ve received this year, the creek is surprisingly clear and flowing through the upper portions of the canyon.

At the 1.25 mile mark one arrives at Upper Blue Canyon Camp, this is the first of several trail camps along the canyon, each of which can make for a overnight backpacking destination. Upper Blue Canyon Camp now also includes a picnic table, although the camp itself is poorly situated on the middle of the trail. This can be confusing if this is your first time through as you literally walk through camp and head to down to the creek to continue along the trail. Then to make matters worse, the trail crosses the creek and continues above on the opposite bank, however with embankment somewhat eroded it can appear as though trail just ends. Rest assured that the trail does cross the creek and continues above on the opposite side.

Serpentine Santa Ynez Mountains Blue Canyon Trail Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike

Exposed serpentine along Blue Canyon

The trail then eventually passes several exposed hillsides of serpentine rock, which give Blue Canyon its name. Serpentine is often green and grey in color, but here some of it even has a blueish color. Marveling at these noticeable rock outcroppings with their distinctive color it occurred to me that this is probably what this area looked like when the Spanish first arrived and even when the first native people visited this same canyon. And that the canyon itself appears much as it always has.

At about the 3 mile mark the trail arrives at the intersection of the Romero Trail which is actually a continuation of the Romero Trail that starts behind Carpinteria and climbs to the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains and then continues down the backside, crossing the Romero-Camuesa Road before descending steeply into Blue Canyon.

About a quarter mile later one arrives at Blue Canyon Camp which is off the trail and includes a picnic table and no less than 3 ice can stoves. Ice Can Stoves at one time were a regular fixture in many backcountry trail camps, literally large rectangular metal containers that were used to make ice blocks in the days before refrigeration, they were then later repurposed as stoves. A hole was cut in them to add a chimney, and laid out length wise their flat surface was ideal for cooking on. Over time the elements have taken their toll and very few of them remain in use.

Past Blue Canyon Camp the creek dries up and the canyon starts to widen. The trail then crests a small rise and opens up onto a large grassy meadow lined with oaks. It’s here that Blue Canyon is joined by Forbush Canyon from the west. Blue Canyon Creek then makes a 90 degree turn and continues north, flowing into the Santa Ynez River.

Cottam Camp Blue Canyon Trail Santa Ynez Mountains Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike

View of the meadow near Cottam Camp

It’s also here that one arrives at Cottam Camp. In the springtime Cottam makes for a great overnight camping destination as there is usually water in the creek and the meadow is a rich green with all the new growth. At Cottam there is a picnic table and a fire ring and plenty of room to sleep out under the stars. Cottam Camp is named after Albert Cottam who helped build a cabin there at the turn of the last century. If you spend the night at Cottam or are looking to extend your hike still further, the Blue Canyon Trail continues north towards the Santa Ynez River for additional sight seeing. Cottam Camp can also be reached from Forbush Camp, along the Cold Springs Trail.

Regardless of how far you go you will get to see some of the rich beauty of our local backcountry.

This article origianlly appeared in section A of the Sunday, October 9th, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Back Country Trails, Santa Ynez Mountains, Trail Reports

Posted by: James Wapotich | October 3, 2011

Trail Quest: Fremont Trail

If you’re looking for a trail with some great views of the Santa Ynez Valley that few people visit then the Fremont Trail may be the answer. Located along Camino Cielo, the Fremont Trail runs from the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains down to Fremont Campground along Paradise Road. To hike the length of the trail is about 7 miles round trip.

To get to the trailhead from Santa Barbara take State Route 154 to the top of San Marcos Pass turn right onto East Camino Cielo and continue for about 2 miles and look for a dirt road on your left with a metal gate. You’ll know if you’ve gone too far if you come to the turn off for Painted Cave Road. Parking is found along the road. To start this hike from the bottom instead, continue on State Route 154 and turn onto Paradise Road and continue to Fremont Campground, which is the first campground along Paradise Road. Parking is available in the overflow parking across from the campground, you will need an adventure pass to park there.

Pines Fremont Trail Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike Santa Ynez Mountains Camino Cielo

Pines seen from the Fremont Trail

From Camino Cielo continue downhill along the dirt road past. This first part of the trail is shaded by oaks and then opens up into brushy chaparral with manzanita, chamise and bush poppies and in the distance a hillside covered with pines. As the trail continues the views of the surrounding area become increasingly panoramic with first views of Little Pine Mountain across the Santa Ynez Valley and Knapp’s Castle along the neighboring ridge to the east. And then as the trail continues its descent one can literally see down the Santa Ynez Valley towards Lake Cachuma. And if that view alone wasn’t enough, on your left are clear views of the Cold Springs Arch Bridge and State Route 154.

Through this section the chaparral is dotted with large wind sculpted sandstone boulders. It is this same sandstone that has caused the road to be mostly fine sand which in turn makes it easy to find and follow animal tracks. Depending who’s been there you may find tracks from quail, deer, coyote, bear and even snakes. For me, animal tracks are the next best thing to seeing wildlife as they give a sense of how much animal activity there is in a particular area and what they may have been doing.

At the 1.5-mile mark the trail arrives at a power line tower. Here the old Fremont Ridge Trail continues down along the ridge to the left. If you look closely you can make out the course of the overgrown trail from the road. The trail however has been rerouted as the old trail leads through private property. This juncture can also make for a good return point for a shorter hike, about 3 miles round trip.

Fremont Trail Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike Santa Ynez Mountains

View towards Little Pine and the San Rafael Mountains

From here the trail continues along the dirt road down towards the Santa Ynez River and Fremont Campground. The road continues around the corner to the right and transitions back into shady oaks mixed with chaparral and starts to feel more remote. Make sure to pace yourself as the hike out will be all uphill.

At about the 2-mile mark the road branches, with a homemade sign pointing the way to Fremont Campground, stay to the left, and continue along a less used dirt road, please respect private property. This less used dirt road continues the descent towards the Santa Ynez River. About a half mile later the trail starts to transition. The oaks trees become less dense and the ground is covered with wild grasses. It’s also here that the road begins to fade, often appearing as nothing more than two tire tracks. This section can be a little confusing as there are several side tracks with tire marks heading in different directions. To avoid getting lost, know that the trail itself gently slopes downhill and towards the left until it reaches the edge of this open grassy area dotted with oaks and descends down into the canyon also on your left. At the far edge of this grassy area the road dies out completely and the trail continues as a footpath down into the canyon. If you’re coming up from Paradise Road through the canyon this transition is more obvious.

Santa Ynez River Fremont Trail Santa Ynez Mountains Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike

View towards the Santa Ynez River

From here the trail continues down through the canyon, following the dry creek bed until it crosses the creek and begins to follow the low ridge that defines the southern edge of the canyon. The trail along the ridge is somewhat overgrown threading through mostly ceanothus but is still followable and where it does open up offers some unique views of the surrounding hills and mountains that one would see driving along Paradise Road.

The trail then passes by two water tanks and arrives at the bottom of its descent. From here continue left or west towards Fremont Campground for about the last half mile. The trail through here is mostly level moving through wild grasses and oak and then transitioning into denser chaparral with oak, toyon and other plants mixed in as it follows the river valley. Through this last section you may even encounter wild turkey or deer. The trail then arrives at Fremont Campground and Paradise Road.

Santa Ynez River Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike Fremont Trail

View towards Lower Oso

Regardless of how far you hike you will get to see some unique views of the Santa Ynez Valley.

This article originally appeared in section A of the October 3rd, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Back Country Trails, Santa Ynez Mountains, Trail Reports

Posted by: James Wapotich | October 2, 2011

How To Not Get Lost In The Woods

Santa Barbara Backcountry Hike Los Padres National Forest

You may have seen in the news recently stories about people getting lost on our local trails (Blue Canyon and near Mono Camp), through this class you will learn skills and awareness that will allow you to remove the word lost from your vocabulary. This class is not about being a survivalist or living off the land, rather it’s about learning how to see the land as a familiar place and how to read the trails and land so that you can find your way anywhere.

As introduction there will be a FREE slideshow presentation “Exploring the Santa Barbara Backcountry”. James Wapotich will be presenting images and stories from his hikes in our local mountains. Ever changing, the Santa Barbara Backcountry is a place of surprising diversity and rich scenery and most of it is within a couple hours of Santa Barbara. Slideshow will include images from the San Rafael and Dick Smith Wildernesses as well as trails closer to home and will be held at the Karpeles Manuscript Library, Wednesday, October 19th at 7PM, 21. W. Anapamu St. in Santa Barbara.

I have also been invited to offer a similar free presentation for the Arguello Group of the Los Padres Sierra Club, Friday, October 21st at 7:30PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc, 1600 E. Berkeley Drive in Lompoc.

The 4-week workshop will take place on our local trails, Saturdays 9AM-Noon, October 29th through November 19th. The class is $75 per person or bring a friend and save 20% each, limit 12 students.
Must be able to comfortably hike 2-3 miles.

James Wapotich, is an experienced backpacker and has hiked many of the trails in our local backcountry, he is a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with the Forest Service and is the author of the weekly hiking column Trail Quest in the Santa Barbara NewsPress

For more information or to sign up for the class call (805) 564-6946 or email me at jwapotich@yahoo.com.

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Posted in Events & Classes

Posted by: James Wapotich | September 27, 2011

Trail Quest: Santa Cruz Trail

While many people in southern California have to drive several hours for their backpacking trips we here in Santa Barbara are blessed with an abundance of trails essentially in our own backyard. And while some of our trails can be more rugged than those you’ll find elsewhere, they are also less crowded. Generally the two best times to go backpacking in the local backcountry are in the spring when everything is green and water is plentiful and in the fall when the temperatures in the backcountry start to cool off.

Two of the more accessible areas within the Los Padres National Forest for backpacking are the trails found along Manzana Creek and the Sisquoc River in the San Rafael Wilderness and the Santa Cruz Trail. With the Santa Cruz Trail being the closer to Santa Barbara of the two areas. The Santa Cruz Trail starts near Upper Oso Campground, climbs to the top of Alexander Saddle and then continues down the backside to Santa Cruz Creek and then from there continues to the top of the San Rafael Mountains, leading through some of Santa Barbara’s more rugged backcountry.

Little Pine Mountain Nineteen Oaks Santa Cruz Trail Santa Barbra Hike Los Padres National Forest Backcountry

View towards Little Pine Mountain from Nineteen Oaks

And while the trails along Manzana Creek may be better suited for first time backpackers, the trail camps found along the Santa Cruz Trail can offer something for everyone. The hike to Nineteen Oaks is about 4 miles roundtrip and makes for a great first time backpacking trip. Further along the Santa Cruz Trail for those with a little more experience is Little Pine Spring, about 13 miles roundtrip and then Santa Cruz Camp which is best done as part of a multi-day trip. The hike to Santa Cruz Camp is about 21 miles round trip and includes some incredible scenery.

To get to the trailhead from Santa Barbara take State Route 154 to Paradise Road and continue along Paradise Road to the kiosk at the first crossing. You will need an adventure pass, which you can purchase at the kiosk. Continue on Paradise Road as it crosses the Santa Ynez River and then turn left towards Upper Oso campground. Parking for the trailhead is found just past Upper Oso at the locked gate where the paved road ends.

Deer Lower Oso Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Hike backcountry

From Upper Oso the trail follows the Buckhorn Camuesa Road; you’ll want to keep alert as the road is open to motorcycle and OHV (off highway vehicle) traffic. At the three quarter mile mark the Santa Cruz Trail leaves the road and continues following Oso Creek. Almost immediately you’ll see a sign that says “Next Water Beyond 19 Oaks – 5 Miles” with the 5 scratched out and replaced with a 9. The water 5 miles past Nineteen Oaks is at Little Pine Spring which can be difficult to get to and the water found 9 miles past Nineteen Oaks is at the Santa Cruz Creek.

The sign at first glance can seem almost out place like one of those next gas – 80 miles signs you see in the desert, but the reality is that the hike from Nineteen Oaks to Alexander Saddle is steep, gaining 2250 feet over 3.5 miles and offers little shade, and from the saddle down to Santa Cruz Creek it is still another 5.5 miles, in other words be prepared. In fact if you’re planning on hiking to Alexander Saddle and beyond it’s best to get an early start and avoid the heat of the day.

At about the 2 mile mark the Santa Cruz Trail arrives at the turnoff for Nineteen Oaks. Nineteen Oaks has two campsites under the oak trees each with a picnic table and fire ring and makes for a great destination for camping or picnicking. Water for Nineteen Oaks can often be found nearby at Oso Creek. Currently the creek is running intermittently, but there is still cool, clear water flowing near the turnoff to camp thanks to this year’s rain.

Santa Barbara Backcountry Santa Cruz Trail Los Padres National Forest Little Pine Mountain Spring

From here the trail leaves the creek and begins its ascent towards Little Pine Mountain, transitioning out of riparian plants and into wild grasses and chaparral. The hike to the saddle is challenging but arriving at the top brings with it both a sense of accomplishment and great views in just about every direction. From the saddle the Santa Cruz Trail continues down the backside of the mountain and becomes noticeably more overgrown in comparison to the hike so far. This is both a reflection of the regrowth from 2007 Zaca Fire, the southern edge of which burned to just past the saddle, and the lack of funds available for ongoing trail maintenance.

About a mile from the saddle the trail arrives at the signed junction for the Happy Hollow Connector Trail. Just a short way past this sign the trail opens up onto a grassy hillside. It’s right at this transition that one finds the turnoff for Little Pine Spring. The trail is marked, but is easy to miss and the trail itself is indistinct as it follows the edge between the grass and chaparral, threading its way through wild mustard before turning and heading down to Little Pine Spring. At Little Pine Spring you will find a picnic table, fire ring, shade and water.

40 mile wall Los Padres National Forest Santa Cruz Trail Santa Barbara hike backcountry

View along the 40 mile wall

The Santa Cruz Trail then continues becoming even more overgrown until arriving at what is affectionately known as the 40-mile wall. Here the trail follows the contour of the mountain for the next 2 plus miles as it descends towards the Santa Cruz Creek, the trail at times can seem never ending especially on the hike out. The trail then rounds this mountain and descends down to Santa Cruz Creek and the welcome sound of running water.

Santa Cruz Creek

At Santa Cruz Camp, there are 4 campsites each with tables and fire rings and good water the length of the creek thanks to the rain we’ve had this year. At Santa Cruz Camp one can also find the fireplace that remains from the cabin built by Edward W. Alexander, who at one time owned Rancho Oso in the early 1900s and was also one of the founding members of the Los Rancheros Visitadores. Alexander is credited with introducing tourism to the Santa Ynez River area and used to offer hunting retreats. The E. W. Ranch, as it was called also used to run cattle. The fireplace has since been adapted to house a barbecue grill.

Santa Cruz Station Trail Camp Los Padres National Forest Santa Barbara Backcountry San Rafael Wilderness

Fireplace from the E. W. Alexander Ranch

From Santa Cruz Camp there are several day hiking opportunities. Further up along the Santa Cruz Trail is Flores Flats, which at one time was owned by Carlos Flores whose brother, Jose Flores, owned the Flores Flats along Gibraltar Road. And it was Jose’s son, Leo Flores who later worked as a vaquero and foreman for the E. W. Ranch.

Los Padres National Forest Roma Potrero Santa Cruz Trail Flores Flats Santa Barbara Backcountry San Rafael Wilderness

Romo Potrero

At one time Santa Cruz Camp was also a prime destination for fishing, the creek with its many pools was an ideal place to find rainbow trout, but the overall decline of the steelhead and the silt and ash from the Zaca Fire have reduced their numbers. Nevertheless I did see a couple of good size trout and fair number of small fry. From Santa Cruz Camp one can also hike up the creek to picturesque Santa Cruz Falls, about two miles round trip.

Santa Cruz Creek Falls Los Padres National Forest San Rafael Wilderness

Santa Cruz Falls

Regardless of how far you go you will get see some of the rugged beauty of our Santa Barbara backcounty.

This article originally appeared in section A of the Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Back Country Trails, San Rafael Wilderness, Trail Reports, Waterfalls

Posted by: James Wapotich | September 2, 2011

Trail Quest: Point Sal

If you are looking for a quiet sandy beach that few people visit then Point Sal may be the answer. Located west of Santa Maria, Point Sal State Beach is home to a diverse amount of wildlife, including seals, sea lions and otters. The hike to Point Sal State Beach is about 11 miles round trip.

To get there from Highway 101 take Clark Avenue west through Orcutt to State Route 1, turn right and continue north towards Guadalupe to Brown Road. The drive takes you through the farm country west of Santa Maria. At Brown Road turn left and follow it until it ends at the trailhead, about 4 miles. Parking is free.

At one time you could drive all the way to the parking area for the state beach, just shy of the ocean, but in 1998 heavy winters rains damaged parts of the road and it has been closed since. In 2008 an agreement was reached with Vandenberg Air Force Base to allow access along the road to the state park as portions of the road pass through the northernmost part of the base. The base reserves the right to close or restrict access at any time, for example when there is a scheduled missile launch. To check the current status of the trail go to http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/Home/Point-Sal-Access, which shows whether the trail is open or closed to access. The park and the trail are open from dawn to dusk.

From the trailhead the trail climbs out of Corralitos Canyon along a dirt road through light chaparral and wild grasses and offers some nice views of the small valley. At about the 1.75 mile mark the trail crests the top of the Casmalia Hills having gained about 600 feet. A quarter mile later the trail arrives at a high metal fence with a gate. This marks the entrance to Vandenberg Air Force Base. From here the trail follows the old paved road that used to go the state beach. A short ways past the gate one arrives at Point Sal Ridge and is rewarded with some impressive views of the coast. The hike to the ridge and back is about 4 miles round trip and can make for a shorter hike.

Corralitos Canyon Point Sal Santa Maria Hike

View of Corralitos Canyon from the trail

From the ridge the trail descends roughly 1200 feet down to the beach over the next 3 miles, so make sure to pace yourself for the hike out. You’ll also want to bring plenty of water as there is none along the trail and there are no amenities at the beach and little shade. It’s through this section you will also start to notice a fair amount of wildlife including hawks circling above and rabbits racing across the trail.

The trail then arrives at another gate and continues to the right. Here the trail becomes narrower and arrives at the bluffs above the beach. In the spring this section includes the opportunity to see giant coreopsis in bloom. From here it’s sort of a scramble down to the beach along one of the many homemade trails, but the beach is worth the effort as it stretches out for almost a half mile. And although swimming is not recommended because of the strong riptides, the beach itself reminded me of Hawaii with its clear water, pristine shore and steep cliffs.

From the far end of the beach one can continue on to Point Sal, and although there is no official trail a route can be found. The hike to the point is roughly another 5 miles round trip and requires a little planning, you will want to get an early start to allow plenty of time and you will also want to check the tides to know what to expect.

Point Sal Santa Maria Hike Pacific Ocean

View towards Point Sal from the trail

The trail is not for the feint of heart or those with a fear of heights but does offer some great opportunities for viewing wildlife. From the beach you’ll notice that the coast out towards the point is almost two-tiered, with a layer of rocky outcroppings along the water where the mountains meet the ocean forming a line of sorts. The trail essentially travels along that contour line. At the far end of the beach you will find a rope that will assist you in climbing up onto the rocks and then from there look for the trail as it does its best to follow the contour line between the rocks and the mountains. Along the way you find a number of mini beaches that you can explore depending on the tides.

About a mile and half later the trail gives out and requires scrambling over rocks to get through this next section at which point the trail then does pick up again. With this last section to Point Sal and beyond looking convincingly like a trail. It’s also through here that one can find some of the best wildlife viewing. Off the coast there is the aptly named Lion Rock. I was amazed by not only how many sea lions there were resting and arguing on this dome shaped rock, but also by how far up it they were able to get.

Nearby, along the coast there is also a rocky pullout where harbor or leopard seals come to rest. Throughout the hike along this stretch of the coast I would see sea lions in the water curious about what I was doing and even saw several sea otters. In fact seeing so much activity I was reminded just how rich the waters are offshore and how that contributed to the prosperity of the Chumash people. From Point Sal the coast opens up onto Paradise Beach and continues north to the Guadalupe Dunes.

Regardless of how far you go you will get see a unique little corner of Santa Barbara County.

This article originally appeared in section A of the September 2nd, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Coastal Hikes, Santa Maria/Lompoc, Trail Reports

Posted by: James Wapotich | August 29, 2011

Trail Quest: La Purisima Mission

If you’re looking for an opportunity to step back in time then a visit to La Purisima Mission may be the answer. The Mission with its furnished and restored buildings, gardens and livestock represents California’s most fully restored Mission. Surrounded by 1,860 acres of rolling hills, La Purisima Mission is now part of the California State Parks system and includes over 25 miles of trails that criss cross the park. A day hike through the park along the main trail is about 5 miles.

La Purisima Mission

Founded in 1787 by Father Fermin de Lausen as Mision la Purisima de Maria Santisima or Mission of the Immaculate Conception of Most Holy Mary, the Mission was the 11th of the 21 Franciscan missions established by the Spanish as part of an ongoing effort to colonize and maintain a presence in what was then Alta California. The Mission was originally located where the City of Lompoc is now. However in 1812 a major earthquake followed by torrential winter rains destroyed most of the buildings and the mission was rebuilt 4 miles further north at its present site.

To get to the park take State Route 246 from either Lompoc or Buellton and turn onto Purisima Road if coming from Buellton and Mission Gate Road if coming from Lompoc. The two roads meet at the park entrance. The park is open from 9AM-5PM and there is a $6 entrance fee. A map of the park and the trails is available for $1 at the entrance.

From the parking area you’ll see the Visitor Center on your right, which includes a small museum. To visit the Mission grounds cross the footbridge opposite the Visitor Center, which places you at the lower end of the Mission buildings where you can tour the site and then continue on to the hike. Docent led tours are offered each day at 1PM and can add a lot of depth to experiencing the history of the Mission. And there are plenty of interpretive signs and furnishings to make for an easy self-guided tour as well. Throughout the year the park also offers various events and craft demonstrations with costumed docents recreating the daily life of the early 1800s at the Mission.

There are a surprising number of buildings to visit each with its own story and the Mission in all its detail provides a comprehensive view of what life must’ve been like during the height of the Mission period. And for some the Mission can be a challenging place to visit. I often found myself getting caught up thinking about the novelty of establishing a colony in the new world with all the challenges that must’ve gone with that on the one hand and the decline and loss suffered by the Chumash Indians on the other hand. And while there are no easy answers the Mission gardens offers a hopeful vision of people working together, there one finds both native and European plants growing together that were cultivated by the Mission population and used in their daily lives as food and medicine.

The Mission at one time was a very active center with a population close to 1,000 and was a model of self-sufficiency with its farming and ranching operations, trading its surplus for goods and other resources. And then ironically it too was swept up by history. In 1834 the Mexican government sold the missions to private owners and the La Purisima site became a ranch and the Mission was eventually left to the elements. In 1934 the Catholic Church and Union Oil Company donated the land and the mission ruins to the State of California. The Mission was then rebuilt on the original foundation by the Civilian Conservation Corp and has been part of the State Parks since.

La Lavanderia

From the Mission buildings one can start the hike through the park along the access road that follows the historic El Camino Real which connected all 21 of the Missions, La Purisima being located between the Santa Inez and San Luis Obispo Missions. The trail continues and curves around the fields that were once part of the Mission. At about the 1.5 mile mark the trail meets the Las Zanjas trail which is also an access road and represents the return route for the hike. From here one can continue north along the Sendero De Solis Trail for another mile towards the water towers at back of the park where the trail ends. The water towers make for a good return point and the hill they’re on offers some nice views of the valley. Throughout the park there a various trails that meander through the park that one can use to craft there own hike through the rolling La Purisima Hills. Most of the trails are sandy and lead through a mix of chaparral and oak and are home to a healthy population of wildlife, on this trip alone I saw a bobcat, deer and rabbit.

Mule Deer

From the water towers return back along the road taking the Las Zanjas trail back to the parking lot. The Las Zanjas trail which means “the ditches” follows the aqueduct that was used by the Mission and includes a visit to the cistern where the water from the nearby spring was used to irrigate the Mission’s crops.

View along the Las Zanjas Trail

Other interesting trails worth visiting time permitting are Los Patos and Vista Del Cruz. The Los Patos trail starts from the Las Zanjas trail at the spring and follows the small valley where the spring originates and leads through a mix of plants communities.

The Vista Del La Cruz trail starts right behind the Visitor’s Center and leads up to the cross on the hill overlooking the Mission and makes for a short hike, about a half mile round trip. From this vantage one can see an overview of the park as well as the surrounding valley.

Regardless of how far you hike you will get to experience some of the rich history of our local area.

This article originally appeared in section A of the Sunday, August 28th, 2011 edition of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

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Posted in Santa Maria/Lompoc, Trail Reports