The Smallest Post Office – as seen along Highway 33 for many decades

The Smallest Post Office
Many of you may remember passing a really small Post Office while heading out from Ojai along Highway 33. That was no ordinary small Post Office, it was the Smallest Post Office. Built in the 1930’s, the Smallest Post Office served as the Post Office for residents living along Maricopa Highway. The PO was decommissioned in 1962 but the structure remained at Wheeler Springs as a beloved and frequently photographed point of interest and continued reminder of times passed. Unfortunately, the Smallest Post Office was consumed and destroyed during the December 2017 Thomas Fire. Gone forever.
Not so fast…. The LPFA manages the Visitor Center at Wheeler Gorge just a shorts ways above where the Smallest Post Office used to be. Ever since the Thomas Fire we’ve been dreaming of rebuilding the Smallest Post Office and thanks to the help of many Ojai historians, community supporters and friends, we are in the process of rebuilding the Smallest Post Office and it will reside at the Visitor Center for people to visit and enjoy! #FantasticNews
While work has begun on the Smallest Post Office, we could use help paying for the materials and supplies. All labor is being donated. If you’re interested in helping, please click here or the button below. Our goal is to have the Smallest Post Office completed in time for our May 3rd Open House. Thank you all for your help and next time you’re heading along Hwy 33, please be sure to stop in at the Visitor Center and say hello!
It’s definitely HikeLosPadres season! – check in before you go & share when you get back – photo CHorgan

Wildfire Risk Reduction Project
You may remember that back in 2022 the Forest Service announced a proposal called the Ecological Restoration Project (ERP) which would implement fire protective vegetation treatments on over 230,000 acres across the Los Padres National Forest. After additional research and public comments, the FS has issued a revised proposal of vegetation treatment called the Wildfire Risk Reduction Project (WRRP). While the intent of the WRRP proposal is similar to the ERP, there are some changes between the two. The most obvious change is that the treatment area has been reduced to 90,796 acres.
There’s no shortage of information available online and across social media discussing the pros and cons of fire protective vegetation treatments. In addition to what you can find online, the FS will be hosting 3 in-person Open Houses and 1 on-line virtual meeting to discuss the project. More information is shared at the links below.
If interested, we strongly suggest that you educate yourself on the WRRP and share your comments with the Forest Service. The public comment period runs from May 2 – June 2, 2025.
- Public Notification Sheet including Open House and Virtual Meeting Schedule
- Forest Service Wildfire Risk Reduction Project Home Page
- Forest Service WRRP StoryMap
Wheeler Gorge Open House: May 3
Put this on your calendar immediately: Saturday May 3 @ the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center outside of Ojai. The Los Padres Open House will be super fun. There’ll be folks talking LP trails, Condor Trail, SAR, crosscut trail work, critters, rocks, Chumash and more. Food. A climbing wall. Arts & crafts. We even heard that Smokey might be there too! Bring the family or come alone! Sure to be fun. See you there…..
Day 1 on the northbound Condor Trail – photo Addison

Trailwork Update
The LPFA is busy this week wrapping up our first 12-day Working Vacation along the Alder Creek Trail in the Sespe Wilderness. More on that to come. Below are a few upcoming volunteer opportunities to check out:
- April 19 – State Trails Day – Cold Spring Trails, Santa Barbara Frontcountry
- April 19 – Matilija Trail Restoration, Ojai Area
- April 26 – Horn Canyon Trail, Ojai – w/ Runners for Public Lands (postponed due to rain)
- April 29 – Trailwork Tuesday w/ Montecito Trails Foundation
- May 2025 – Matilija Working Vacation – dates to come