Summer is Off to the Races

Old Man Mtn Bike, photo Cotton Rockwood 

We hope your summer is going along swimmingly.  For those of you who wish it was more swimmingly, you are not alone.  Swimming holes across the Los Padres are drying up and it was just announced that Lake Cachuma has hit an all-time low water level, yikes!  That being said, there are still those epic year-round pools hidden here or there and plenty of water flowing in the creeks across the Big Sur region.  There’s also some areas that still have green grass and wildflowers for those of you interested in heading to the high country.  All this being said, it’s still a great time to get out and enjoy the Los Padres.  Just be sure to plan accordingly, bring more water than you think you need and remember no campfires in the backcountry!  And when you get back, we’d love to see some photos or hear your tales…….

Buckhorn Aid Station

OFF TO THE RACES

For those of you who are trail runners, here are a few upcoming events that you might be interested in:

SANTA BARBARA 100 ENDURANCE RUN: July 8-10
Robert Gilcrest is once again hosting this 100 mile and 100 kilometer endurance run across the Santa Barbara Backcountry and Frontcountry.  The race begins at Lower Oso and winds its’ way up, down, across, over onto the frontcountry, back up, over towards Divide Peak and then back again to Lower Oso.  100 miles!  It’s pretty amazing to see these athletes challenge themselves over that distance.  For those of you who might want to give it a shot, signups are still available, click the link above.

The LPFA will be helping the event by overseeing an Aid Stations along Buckhorn Rd above Upper Oso.  We’ll be out there helping the runners from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning.  If you’re interested in helping, please let us know.  Even a few hours of support would be greatly appreciated.  Our job is to make sure the runners get whatever water and nutrition they need in order to finish the race.  And then we cheer them on and have a great time while doing it.  If interested, email INFO@LPForest.org to sign up.

REI TRAIL RUN SERIES 5K at ELINGS PARK: July 24
REI is sponsoring the 2nd annual REI Trail Run 5k Race at Elings Park, Santa Barbara on Sunday July 24.  If you would like to join the race, check the link above.  They are also looking for a few volunteers who might be able to help with the race in the morning from 7-11am.  If interested let us know, INFO@LPForest.org

ISLAND VIEW TRAIL RACE: September 11
Another cool looking running event scheduled for later this summer is the inaugural Island View Trail Race along the newly rediscovered Franklin Trail above Carpinteria.  The course is 4 miles long, follows the Franklin Trail and all proceeds from the event go towards the Santa Barbara County Trails Council as they continue working towards restoring the Franklin Trail.  If interested, check the link above.

UPCOMING EVENTS
A few upcoming dates, events, projects, presentations or things you might want to know.
If you have any forest-related events to add to this list, let us know and we’re more than happy to pimp your event!

I told you there’s still a little green out there, even in the golden hour, Pine Mtn Campground, June 24