Author: Bryan Conant

LPFA Transverse – It’s Fall?

Posted on by Bryan Conant
Hello.  It might technically be Fall now, but doesn’t it feel like Summer still?  Today we had temps across the Los Padres nearing triple digits.  Santa Maria hit an all-time high for October 2 and we had reports from Big Sur that it felt like 95˚ outside.  You gotta love our “Fall”.  October can be one of those crazy times of year where weather can change quickly and the difference between the highs and lows throughout a day can be quite dramatic.  For example, Reyes Creek Campground had a high of 92˚ today and a forecast low of 48˚ tonight.  That’s 44˚ difference, in one day, in one place!  Part of the reason we love the Los Padres……

LPFA clearing the way along Davy Brown
NPLD_TreeRemoved

N A T I O N A L   P U B L I C   L A N D S   D A Y

This past weekend was National Public Lands Day (NPLD), which is the single greatest day across the United States for volunteerism on public lands.  The Los Padres strutted her stuff with a series of projects across the forest.  We were forwarded reports of rock work along the Jesusita Trail in Santa Barbara, Davy Brown tree removal, tamarisk eradication in the Chumash and shooting range cleanups near Wheeler Gorge.  All great stuff!  Thanks to all the volunteers, leaders, Forest Service and organizations for helping make NPLD the premier event across the Los Padres.

A Zone Survivors, photo Humphrey
Deer
H U N T I N G   D 1 3
Zone D13 opens on Saturday October 11 for deer hunting.  It is open 30days, offering 4,000 tags.  D13 is located mostly in the Ventura and Kern County portions of the Los Padres covering much of the Sespe Wilderness.  You can see a more detailed map at the link below.  For those of you who are not hunting, you may want to think twice about wandering into D13 during the season, especially on the first weekend.  Hunters are usually out at dawn and dusk – another good idea is to lay low during those times of the day and of course wear bright colors.  Be safe and good luck……

LPFA_Gear

V W R   S H O P P I N G

Some of you might recall that the Volunteer Wilderness Ranger (VWR) room at Los Prietos Fire Compound was burned and destroyed in the 2013 White Fire.  Within the room were many of our tools, communication devices and equipment.  Thanks to the generosity of many who donated to the cause, we have started to rebuild our tool supply.  In September we purchased 25 hard hats, nearly 20 Silky handsaws (including a few of the 18″ Katanaboys) and enough gloves to last quite some time.  These tools are available for any Trail Leaders who want to lead a project.  Thanks to all the supporters.  We’re not done yet with the shopping spree, expect more updates on new tools down the road.

E V E N T S   &   V O L U N T E E R

19th ANNUAL CHUMASH POW WOW – Live Oak Campground
 Santa Ynez Valley
 October 4, 10am-10pm
The Chumash will be hosting their 19th Annual Chumash Inter-Tribal Pow Wow.  It’s a great way to learn a bit more about the Chumash, see some of their traditions and visit booths.  More information:
http://www.chumashcasino.com/entertainment/performance/19th-annual-chumash-inter-tribal-pow-wow

E.P. FOSTER LIBRARY – Los Padres National Forest Series Part 1
Ventura
October 4, 5-6pm
The E.P. Foster Library in Ventura is hosting three lectures over October that will feature people and organizations who are doing great things in the Los Padres.  Up first on October 4 is a presentation by the Friends of the California Condor.  For more information:
http://www.vencolibrary.org/files/ventura/Los%20Padres%20Flyer%2001.pdf

OJAI RANGER DISTRICT – First Saturday, Don Borad Trail Day
Red Reef Trail, Ojai
October 11
Contact Heidi Anderson: handerson@fs.fed.us
Don Borad was a tireless volunteer for the Ojai District who focused most of his efforts on the Red Reef, Last Chance and Topatopa Bluff Trails.  After his passing a few years ago, the ORD has led an annual trail project in his honor.  It’s a great event and if anyone is interested in helping out please contact Heidi Anderson.

SANTA BARBARA RANGER DISTRICT – West Camino Cielo Cleanup
West Camino Cielo, Goleta
October 11
Contact Craig Carey: craigrcarey@gmail.com
Craig will be leading another cleanup to remove trash from an illegal shooting area.  This time at Eastern Tecoloete Canyon along West Camino Cielo.  Much needed!  If interested, let Craig know.

WEST BIG PINE / MISSION PINE TRAIL PROJECT
San Rafael Wilderness
October 24-26
The LPFA is hosting a trail project across the Mission Pine Trail from Windy Gap out towards Mission Pine Basin.  We’ll be based out of Bluff Camp and doing two days of trail work.  For more information reach out to Curt Cragg:  cragg.curt@gmail.com

If anyone has events to announce, please let us know – we’d love to include them in upcoming Transverses.
Up next time we’ll talk a bit about dormancy, water conditions and some additional events.  If there are any topics you want us to touch on, let us know.  Take care and happy trails…….

LPFA Transverse – HOTEMBER

Posted on by Bryan Conant
                    Whoa, has it been hot!  September is usually one of the hottest months across the Los Padres and 2014 is no different.  Most of the backcountry has been baking and taking the remaining water with it.  We’ve been getting reports of places drying up that we didn’t think was possible.  Reports of the Carmel River drying up, Upper Indian Creek dry and everything else at all-time low levels.  There was a backpacker last week in the Sespe that had to be airlifted out due to heat stroke and dehydration.  If you are heading to the mountains and are unsure if there will be water, it’s best to be on the safe side and plan on there being no water – bring every drop you might need.  And of course, before you head out, contact your local Forest Service and ask them for any recent reports.  You can always ask us as well and we’ll see if we can dig anything up.

Now all that being said, the forecast is changing and temperatures will be going down over the next few days and into next week.  And don’t look now, the northern reaches of the Los Padres even have some rain in the forecast.

NATIONAL  PUBLIC  LANDS  DAY

September 27 is National Public Lands Day (NPLD).  NPLD is the single greatest day across the United States for volunteerism and the Los Padres is no exception.  There are a series of projects scattered across the forest including trail work, invasive plant removal, sign installation, trash cleanup and Visitor Center maintenance.  We put together a webmap to help highlight all the projects.  Check it out:

Hope to see you out there somewhere and if you have a project you’d like us to include on the map, let us know.

DevilsGateway

Devils Gateway, Agua Blanca – September 2014
W O R K I N G   V A C A T I O N

Each year the LPFA hosts a larger-than-normal trail project that we call a Working Vacation.  The Working Vacations usually involve a cook, stock support and an ideal location for volunteers to work the trail while at the same time feel a little more pampered than a usual trail project.  This year we’ve been asked to support the Ojai Ranger District by hosting a Working Vacation on the Potholes Trail outside of Lake Piru.  The Potholes Trail also happens to be a key component of the Condor Trail.  We scouted the trail a few weeks ago and the project is taking shape for sometime in November with Log Cabin Camp along the Agua Blanca being the basecamp.  Details to come in the next weeks.  If you are interested in hearing more, please let us know and we’ll get you on the list: info@LPForest.org

S A N T A    C R U Z    S C R E E

For those of you who have hiked the Santa Cruz Trail from Upper Oso up towards Little Pine, no doubt you remember the scree slides along the southern face of Little Pine.  These slides have been terrorizing trail users and frustrating trail builders since Hector was a pup.  Last week the LPFA headed out that way to install two short lengths of rope to aid hikers and bikers as they cross the infamous slides.  We’ve been hearing tales of people refusing to go through the slides out of fear.  If nothing else, the rope should provide confidence and assurance that the slides are safe to pass.  So far we’ve heard compliments from both the hiking and biking community.  In the meantime the search for a permanent solution to the scree slides goes on…….

SantaCruzScreeSlides

LPFA Transverse – First Week of September

Posted on by Bryan Conant
WestBigPine
WBP View, photo Masticator

Good Afternoon.  I thought we’d start right off with the eye candy.  Great shot taken a few weeks back looking west from the top of West Big Pine (WBP) in the San Rafael Wilderness.  You can barely see the tip of the Hurricane Deck if you know where to look.  There was water at Big Pine Camp but the best time to visit WBP is fall through early summer when the nights are cold and there is a chance of snow.  Lets get to it…….

F I R E   R E S T R I C T I O N S

As mentioned last week, the fire restriction order has been amended to allow persons with valid California Campfire Permits to use portable camping stoves in the forest.  The official orders are attached.  There are still no campfires allowed in the forest but you can bring a portable camping stove or lantern.  I do want to apologize for any mixed messages that might have been received with the order and subsequent amendment.  At the end of the day, this is a great gesture by the Forest Service in trusting that the forest users will be responsible with our camping stoves.  It’s dry out there, be careful everyone.  One last note, the State Parks along the Big Sur Coast are also not allowing campfires.  The nights are still warm, enjoy the stars………

W I L D E R N E S S   A N N I V E S A R Y

Earlier this week, September 3 to be exact, marked the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.  Congratulations to all of us.  Really, the whole world should celebrate this day.  There have been quite a few events planned In recognition of the Wilderness Act turning 50 and there will be a bunch more through the Fall and into 2015.  We’ll keep everyone posted as the events come up, which segues nicely into the SCAPE Wilderness art event on the weekend of September 19-20 – see attached.  Come on out and see some beautiful art pieces highlighting the Los Padres Forest Wilderness areas.  The Forest Service and LPFA will have booths setup at the Friday night event.  Hope to see you there……….

F I G U E R O A   S I G N S

Super volunteer Mike Smith, he of goat fame, continues to chip away at new signs along the Figueroa Mtn network of trails.  The signs are hand cut out of steel and designed to match the style of signs that have frequented these trails for the past 70 years.  Very cool!  There are 5 new signs installed to date.  If anyone would like to donate to the sign cause, please let us know: info@LPForest.org

FigSulphurSpringSign
R E F U G I O   F I R E ,   1 9 5 5

A friend of the LPFA forwarded us an interesting video showing the Refugio Fire of 1955.  It’s a classic old news-clip showing why fire prevention is necessary, what methods were used to fight the fire and how post-fire prevention was handled nearly 60 years ago.  If you are in Fire or like to see old video of the Santa Ynez Mountains, you’ll like this.  Some of you will even notice Los Prietos from back in its glory days:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0n-_lP9iGs&feature=player_embedded#

And of course, Ray Ford has a writeup of the Refugio Fire for those who want to dive a little deeper:
http://www.independent.com/news/2007/jun/28/refugio-fire-1955/

SCAPE_Poster

LPFA Transverse – End of August 2014

Posted on by Bryan Conant

Hello Everyone, It’s been a busy week in the Los Padres. Tragically, the two week search for missing backpacker Arvin Nelson is wrapping up in the Ventana Wilderness. We’re overdue for some good news, lets hope it arrives soon….. http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/news_blog/officials-wrapping-up-the-search-for-missing-hiker-arvin-nelson/article_d974a4c6-2982-11e4-b790-001a4bcf6878.html

F I R E  R E S T R I C T I O N S

 NoFireIcon

The fire restrictions across the forest have been elevated to Level IV. See attached announcement from the Forest Service. Level IV essentially means no campfires anywhere in the forest and no open flames in the backcountry. So don’t bring a stove on your next backpacking trip. While it might suck to drink cold coffee, look at the bright side, you’ll save that additional weight by not having to carry a stove. Stoves are permitted at most designated car-camping and glamping sites across the forest (see link below for list of those sites). The fire restrictions should remain at Level IV until we get a few inches of rain, usually November or December. While it might seem unfathomable to backpack without a fire or heaven forbid s’mores, give it a shot. A dark night under the stars might be an eye opening experience. Please be extra careful. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5429958.pdf     LittlePine

V O L U N T E E R   T I M E

ARE YOU READY! Hope so because there are quite a few volunteer opportunities lining up across the forest in September. WE WANT TO SEE YOU OUT THERE! September will be highlighted by National Public Lands Day on the 27th. Outlined below are a few of the projects and if I am missing any, please let me know and I’ll get them in the next email. LITTLE PINE TRAIL EVENT – September 20 The LPFA is helping to support a hiking event that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is hosting on September 20 along the Santa Cruz Trail over Little Pine. We could use some volunteers to help along the hiking route or to be staged at the top of Little Pine or at Santa Cruz Station. We’ll provide truck access where available. This is a great cause for a great organization and a nice excuse to get into the mountains. If you are interested in helping lead a hike or support, let me know……… NPLD – FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN Santa Barbara County – September 27, 28 LPFA event to work the trails along Figueroa Mountain. Camping is available at Davy Brown. We’re going to have a great time. http://www.meetup.com/Santa-Barbara-Trail-Volunteers/events/203673382/ http://www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites/los-padres-national-forest-figueroa-mountain-davy-brown NPLD – CAMP PICO BLANCO Ventana Wilderness – September 27,28 Ventana Wilderness Alliance project to work the Little Sur Trail. Camping is available. Awesomeness! http://www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites/los-padres-national-forest-camp-pico-blancoventana-wilderness NPLD – CERRO ALTO CAMPGROUND San Luis Obispo County – September 27 Santa Lucia Ranger District is hosting a project September 27 at Cerro Alto Campground. Fun in the sun! http://www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites/cerro-alto-campground-los-padres-national-forest NPLD – WHEELER GORGE Ventura County – September 28 The LPFA is hosting a project at Wheeler Gorge to work the nearby trails and maintain the Visitor Center. What could be better! http://www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites/wheeler-gorge-visitor-center-los-padres-national-forest

LPFA Transverse – A Zone Hunting 2014

Posted on by Bryan Conant
                    Good Afternoon Los Padres,The main topic of today’s update is the start of the A Zone South hunting season, but before we get into that we have a special congratulations to share.  A few years ago, while on a trail project, I had the pleasure of meeting Matt and Sonia.  Matt and Sonia live in Ojai and over the past 5+ years have dedicated as much time to maintaining the trails of the Ojai and Mt Pinos Ranger Districts as anyone.  Matt is a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger / C certified sawyer and he literally jumps at just the mention of cutting out fallen trees.  It’s been said that Matt has the potential to cut out more trees in this forest than anyone ever.  He’s sort of a machine when it comes to the crosscut saw, those who have worked with him know what I mean.  What’s even better is that Sonia is along for almost all these trips as well.  They might be the coolest trail couple out there.  A great team, always safe, always fun and doing fantastic volunteer work for the forest.  Well, fortunately, they multiplied this past week and welcomed a healthy baby boy to the Los Padres.  While some of us were hoping they’d choose the name Sawyer, they picked the equally impressive name of Clayton.  Huge congratulations out to Matt and Sonia and we can’t wait to see Clayton out on the trail watching the saw sing.  Which we all know will happen very soon, if it hasn’t happened already.  Enjoy the time………

A   Z O N E    H U N T I N G

A Zone South hunting season starts August 9 and runs through September 21.  This is the start of the general season, archery was most of July and August.  Take a look at the links, attachments and maps below for more information.  A Zone South basically covers the entire Los Padres west of Hwy 33 and south of Rose Valley.  The first weekend of hunting season is usually the most chaotic and busy.  If you are heading to the forest this weekend, be prepared for busy campgrounds and potentially lots of people out and about.  You’ll want to wear bright colors if possible and leave the antlers at home.  Be respectful, safe and best of luck.

AZoneHunting

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/cazonemap.html
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/zoneinfo.html

LPFA Transverse – 7.20

Posted on by Bryan Conant

Hi There,

Usually the summer weather in the Los Padres is pretty boring.  This has not been the case of late.  About a week ago, our interesting weather started with a southerly monsoonal flow that dropped bits of precipitation across the the region. Temps were hot along the inland side of the forest which resulted in some thunderstorms over portions of the backcountry.  The best part of the week has been the cloud formations and lingering fog on the mountains.  We heard reports from across the Los Padres of rainbows, winter-like cloud formations, both low hanging and high scattered that made for some great views and sunsets.  Many easterners complain that California has no weather, but I think it makes us even more appreciative when weather does come in.  We’ll see what happens next…….

 JamesonWaterUpdate

Hope you like your Jameson dry?  photo Humphrey, July 2014

We’re starting to get reports of water sources drying up around the Los Padres.  Most of the Sespe is now dry outside of a few standing pools of water.  Most of the reports from the Dick Smith/San Raf are showing dry creekbeds and the same goes for the San Luis Backcountry where flowing water is a rarity.  Even the reliable creeks and rivers of the Northern LP are at low flow rates.  Reliable springs are still flowing and most of the perennial streams have water, but it looks a lot like what September water conditions would look like during a normal year.  If you are heading out for a hike or overnighter, be sure to bring extra amounts of water and always check in with the Forest Service or shoot us an email (info@LPForest.org) ahead of time to get the most recent water and trail information.

S A F E T Y

The Forest Service has passed on a few messages of late about safety procedures and processes.  Trail leaders, please take a few minutes and read the notes below.  Safety is always priority number one when on projects.

As most of you have heard, there was an incident on the Jemez Ranger District involving an explosive device that appears to have been deliberately placed at the base of an information sign.  The device was constructed with a mason jar and had what appeared to be a protruding  wick.  It was placed on the ground with no camouflaging material to conceal it from view.  When tapped with the boot of the individual, the device detonated.  Thankfully, the individual’s injuries were minor.  At present, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm, and Explosives has taken the lead on the investigation.  No additional devices have been found on the Forest.

Due to this incident, many employees have expressed some concern about their safety while working in the field.  So what can you do to protect yourself?  First, stay vigilant and increase your “situational awareness.”  Look up, down, and all around.  If something appears “out of place” or “not quite right” (i.e. a suspicious looking object), do not disturb it!  Move away from the area and immediately contact law enforcement.  Second, work in pairs if possible so that a second person is right there in the event of an accident.  Finally, always have appropriate communication devices readily available and be sure to adhere to our Forest’s Check-Out and Check-In Program.

Over the last few years we have had important conversations about organizational and individual safety. I truly believe the safer we are the more successful we are. Our mission of improving the health and resilience of our National Forests and providing public services to the American people can only be achieved with a focused attention on our safety and well-being.

I would ask each of you to take time now and periodically throughout each day to assess your safety situation and those you are responsible for. It is critical that you are prepared to take on your work safely, are confident that the work you are undertaking is worth the risk, and have a keen sense of your situational awareness whatever your work environment. I would also ask that you insure your behavior is consistent with the agreements you have made with yourself, your supervisor, and all who rely on you. I will never ask you to cut any corners on safety to get the work done.

In addition to expecting that each one of you personally lead up in safety, I expect that when unexpected outcomes occur that you notify your supervisor immediately so that we can understand what happened and can learn from the experience. Learning from unintended and unexpected outcomes will be key to our growth as a world-class safety organization. The primary tools we will use to accomplish this are Facilitated Learning Analyses and After Action Reviews.

At the end of every day and every assignment, every employee, partner, and volunteer who works on behalf of the Forest Service should return home safely. I am asking each and every one of you to help insure we accomplish this together.

RedwoodSunset

Redwood Sunset, Wearing the Weather Well, North of Big Sur, July 17th

The 8th of July Version

Posted on by Bryan Conant

HELLO LOS PADRES,
Hope everyone is well and finding some time to get on the trails.  Couple quick updates and information to share with you.  If you have any announcements or information that you’d like shared, please send our way.  Thanks………

 

W A T E R    U P D A T E

The 2013-14 rain season was pretty wimpy by just about standards.  Most of the Los Padres got under 50% of normal rain totals with some places getting significantly less than that. Yet hidden amongst the calm of the winter was one rain event that turned out to be far from calm.  The last three days of February and first day of March brought lots and lots of rain to the Los Padres.  The upper Sespe recorded nearly 18 inches of rain during that time.  There was a lot of water running and quite a few rescues as a result of that storm.  Turns out that we are still seeing the results of that storm.  Reports from around the forest are that many of the reliable pools and swimming holes are filled in with silt at the moment.  How did this happen?  In order to find out we enlisted the help of a few local scientists, and in layman’s terms, concluded that after having a few seasons of light rain, the silt buildup in the forest was stacking up.  The one large storm we had in February freed up most of that silt and carried it downstream filling in pools.  Since then we’ve had no additional rains that would usually carve out the pools and remove the silt.  As a result we are left with filled in pools until at least the next rain storms have the opportunity to clear them out again.

While we’ve heard reports of filled in pools from Indian Creek, Mono Drainage, Little Pine area and the Sespe; the most extreme example has to be at Fishbowls Camp on the upper reaches of Piru Creek.  Fishbowls is usually a series of pools carved into the sandstone that is highlighted by a 7 ft deep pool.  The main Fishbowl is normally a godsend in the summer heat as the pool promises cold water to jump into.  Not this year.  James Wapotich hiked out there a few weeks ago and found the pool completely silted in.  Such a shame.  But never fear, these things happen and no doubt that in the next year or so when the rains re   turn, the Fishbowl will be carved out again.

Silted in Fishbowls, June 2014, photo Wapotich

SiltedFishbowls

Seven foot deep Fishbowls, August 2007, photo Rose

RoseFishbowls

Any other questions about water availability or to share what you’ve found along the trails, hit us up: info@LPForest.org

 

W I L D E R N E S S    R A N G E R    T R A I N I N G

The Sierra National Forest hosted a week long Wilderness Ranger Training in early June.  Over 170 rangers from across California convened near Huntington Lake to hear about ranger techniques, learn new skills and have an opportunity to share stories with rangers from other forests who are doing the same things we’re doing here in the Los Padres.  The rangers included Forest Service personnel as well as volunteers.  We had around 15 people from the Los Padres representing the various districts and including volunteers from the VWA, UTMC and LPFA.  Some of the classes included crosscut sawing, axe work, rock work, Leave No Trace, stock packing, rigging and wilderness first aid.  It was a great training and after talking to the other rangers it really makes you understand how unique many of our issues are here in the Los Padres.  Hope you can make it next year………

Day 4 Morning Briefing, Wilderness Ranger Training 2014

SierraTraining

 

 

F O R E S T    C L A S S I F I E D

Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council Projects
Have you heard of Cape Ivy?  It’s a very aggressive, non-native vine that invades the chaparral community and smothers it ultimately killing the native vegetation.  The Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council is hosting volunteer events every Sunday in July from 8am-12pm and 2-5pm.  They could use your help.  If interested contact Jason Nelson (805.569.5429 – jnelson@sbbg.org)  Hope to see you there!
PullingPlants

Gaviota Coastal Trail
There has been a lot of talk lately about the California Coastal Trail.  You can find descriptions of the trail online as it makes its way around the Los Padres.  While the trail generally follows the coastline, there are some areas where private property, geographic confrontations or federal lands prevent the trail from actually being on the coast.  There are a few areas that fit this description along the Gaviota Coast.  The SB County Trails Council has been working on a plan to develop the trail along this area and completed a report earlier this year studying and documenting the trail and coastal access along the Gaviota Coast.  Check it out and be sure to weigh in with your thoughts on the plan.

Friends of the California Condor
Got plans on July 18?  Now you do.  The Friends of the California Condor are hosting a free event at the Ojai Libby Bowl on July 18.  They’ll be showing The Condor’s Shadow, which is a great documentary about the condor that came out a few years back.  There will also be opportunities to meet some birds up close.  Check out the attached flier for more information.  Once again, hope to see you there…..